Scott Huff highlights some of the SOL's top runners in his second notebook.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown senior Alex Ballaturned in a fine performance at the 7th Annual PIAA Foundation Cross Country Invitational with a 14th place finish and a time of 16:51 on the difficult Hershey course that also hosts the PIAA state championships.
Well, I guess it depends on who you ask as to how fine the performance really was.
“I think Alex came away from the race with a much better understanding of the course and how he should attack it later at states,” said Quakertown cross country head coach Ryan Stetler. “After the first mile, Alex was fourth or fifth. But once he got to the hills he fell back some, and now we know to train a little harder on hills.
“I know that he wasn’t satisfied with how he did,” added Stetler. “He has a tremendous drive and competitiveness, and he knows that he can do better. Last year he made states and was happy to be there, this year he wants to compete at a higher level.”
“I really felt that I could have done better,” said Balla who has left options open for where he will run on the collegiate level next year. “I need to work on being stronger in the second and third mile, and I have to work hard on running the hills.
“If and when I get back to states, I would like to finish in the top ten,” added Balla. “I don’t like to make predictions, but I want to run the best race I can run.”
“Alex has a tremendous motor,” said Stetler. “He wants to win every race.”
The top 5 boys finishers from the SOL at the 7th PIAA Foundation Invitational were Sam Webb (Pennsbury – 7th – 16:35); Alex Balla (Quakertown – 14th – 16:51); Kyle Francis (Bensalem – 18th – 17:05); Alex Sauer (Pennsbury – 19th – 17:06); and Liam O’Connell (Pennsbury – 22nd – 17:10).
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Kaitlyn Poiesz of Central Bucks South also made the trip to Hershey for the 7th Annual Foundation Cross Country Invitational and made the return trip to Chalfont with an impressive 11th place finish. It was a journey to Chocolate Town that Poiesz was unable to make last year.
“Kaitlyn came down with a quad injury in districts last year and was unable to finish the race,” said Central Bucks South head coach Ryan Walsh. “The race was run at Lehigh, and she just couldn’t finish.
“This year is a year of redemption for her,” added Walsh. “She ran in the low 18’s last year, and we expect that and more this year. She is such a smart racer, and she is also one of our two captains.”
Central Bucks South combines both the boys and girls programs for practice.
“We group the kids according to times, and that puts Kaitlyn running with a lot of the boys in practice,” said Walsh. “And I think that has helped her a lot in preparation for her races.”
The top 5 girls finishers from the SOL at the 7th Annual Foundation Invitational were Marissa Sheva (Pennridge – 3rd – 18:51); Olivia Sargent (Pennsbury – 20.00); Hannah Molloy (Pennsbury – 20:02); Kaitlyn Poiesz (Central Bucks South – 11th – 20:12); and Meridith Twomey (Pennsbury – 14th – 20:30).
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The Council Rock North Invitationalwill be held this Saturday (9/28/13) with ten Suburban One teams participating in the event. That list includes Central Bucks West, Cheltenham, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Hatboro-Horsham, Neshaminy, Pennridge, Springfield, Wissahickon, and Upper Moreland.
In the girls’ field, Pennridge junior Marissa Sheva is the pre-race favorite to win the event. Lohe Black of Wissahickon enters the event with the third best time of the teams attending, while Kaelyn Heinicke of Council Rock North enters the event with the fourth best time.
In the boys’ field, Council Rock senior Ross Wilson carries the second best time into the event. Kevin James of Cardinal O’Hara is the pre-race favorite.
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Suburban One League ‘Fab Five’ Teams
statistics provided by MileSpilt.com
Note: Pennsbury boys are not listed by the website but are # 1 in the SOL National Conference
Suburban One League - American Conference
Boys: [1] Upper Merion Vikings (29); [2] Wissahickon Trojans (38); [3] Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (77); [4] Norristown Eagles (141); [5] Upper Moreland Golden Bears (141).
Girls: [1] Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (37); [2] Upper Merion Vikings (51); [3] Wissahickon Trojans (56); [4] Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (98); [5] Cheltenham Panthers (142).
Suburban One League – Continental Conference
Boys: [1] Pennridge Rams (35); [2] Central Bucks East Patriots (55); [3] Central Bucks West Bucks (84); [4] Quakertown Panthers (117); [5] Central Bucks South Titans (118).
Girls: [1] Central Bucks East (30); [2] North Penn Maidens (54); [3] Central Bucks West Bucks (62); [4] Pennridge Rams (130); [5] Souderton Indians (151).
Suburban One League – National Conference
Boys: [1] Council Rock North Indians (41); [2] William Tennent Panthers (68); [3] Council Rock South Golden Hawks (97); [4] Abington Ghosts (98); [5] Bensalem Owls (103).
Girls: [1] Pennsbury Falcons (20); [2] Council Rock North Indians (39); [3] William Tennent Panthers (100); [4] Council Rock South Golden Hawks (118); [5] Bensalem Owls (173).
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