October 14, 2018
Team Race
Berks County may represent District III more than any other county at the State Championships in 3 weeks. There are currently 3 girls teams from Berks County ranked in the top 5 of the PIAA District III AAA rankings. Governor Mifflin has held the #1 spot for several weeks after assuming that position after their 3rd place finish at PYTXC10. They followed that performance up with a win several weeks later at the Council Rock Invitational. Exeter at #4 and Wilson at #5 will also be fighting for one of the top 4 positions at Districts to earn one of the coveted state qualifying spots. Kutztown is currently ranked our #3 team in District III A.
Governor Mifflin will be the heavy favorite coming into the County Championship meet. They are led by sr Andrea Miller who has had a great fall. She was third at PTXC10 in 18:59 and she won the Council Rock Invitational in 19.:27. Junior Krystalyn Super (5th in 20:01) and sr Kallan Carter (7th in 20:17) also finished in the top 10 at Council Rock. Mifflin’s top 5 have all run under 21 minutes and their top 7 are under 21:30. In total, they have 11 girls with season best times that place them in the top 50 in Berks County.
The real battle to watch will be the one between Exeter and Wilson. The two are incredibly closely matched which was evident at the Lehigh University Paul Short Run where Exeter finished narrowly ahead of Wilson by 1 place and only 4 points. Wilson will likely hold the lead following their first 3 runners, but Exeter’s depth between 4-7 has given them a slight edge to date. Exeter’s Kat Kerchner (jr, 20:17), Ella Ehlert (jr, 20:20), and Helene Shevick (fr, 20:26) lead the Eagles. The Bulldogs are led by Emily Velez (jr, 19:55), Ella Kahn (fr, 20:01), and Grace Mangold (fr, 20:33). Kahn has run the county’s fastest time by a freshman this year.
If one of the team’s ahead of them falters, then Daniel Boone may factor into a podium spot come Tuesday. Their top 7 runners will be seeking top 50 finishes. Their top times come from early in the season at the Harry Groves PSU Spiked Shoe Invitational (Sept 7). Vivian Kase (jr, 20:19) has been the #1 runner for Boone this fall and will be seeking a top 10 individual finish.
Predicted Team finish
1. Governor Mifflin
2. Exeter
3. Wilson
4. Daniel Boone
5. Conrad Weiser
Interesting note: Exeter, Wilson, and Daniel Boone are without a senior in their top 7.
Individual Race
Top 10 based on season best times:
1. Andrea Miller, sr Governor Mifflin 18:59
2. Emily Velez, jr Wilson 19:55
3. Ella Kahn, fr Wilson 20:01
3. Krystalyn Super, jr Governor Mifflin 20:01
5. Gina Mattera, sr Twin Valley 20:02
6. Kallan Carter, sr Governor Mifflin 20:17
6. Kat Kerchner, jr Exeter 20:17
8. Vivian Kase, jr Daniel Boone 20:19
9. Ella Ehlert, jr Exeter 20:20
10. Helene Shevick, fr Exeter 20:26
Andrea Miller is the favorite. She has had a great season and looks to put together a strong post-season run. It starts with a County Championship on Tuesday. Your guess is as good as mine as to how the rest of the top 10 finishes. Should be an exciting contest at Kutztown.
Good luck to all runners!!