CentralPARunner

Running “Shorts” – 2020 BCIAA Boys XC

Here are some notes for the 2020 BCIAA Boys XC season.

There is more turnover via graduation in the BCIAA boys competition than in any other conference/league in District III this season.

The top 3 from last season graduated and are off to college, leaving an opportunity for a first time champion this season. Most likely candidates to claim the individual BCIAA title include senior’s Noah Taylor (Twin Valley) and Mitchell Brett (Kutztown) and junior Luke Seymour (Schuylkill Valley). Taylor dropped a sub-16 minute time last year at the William Tennant Invite and is a AAA medal contender at states this season. Brett is the reigning District III champion and 13th place finisher in the state (class A). Seymour finished 10th at Districts in class AA and advanced to states in 2019. Another name to keep an eye on is Nathan Diaz (jr, Wilson) who ran great at District’s last season. He has the 4th fastest returning time from Districts amongst BCIAA competitors. Exeter Township’s Alex Holbrook (jr) returns this season after recovering from devastating injuries a result of getting hit by a car last summer. He ran a 5k trail PR of 16:30 this past May.

Twin Valley is the favorite to claim another BCIAA team title. They have 5 returnees in the top 20 and 2 more in the top 30 of BCIAA returning runners from the 2019 meet. In addition, they welcome the county’s top rising freshman, Nate Meister, to the squad for 2020. Things tighten up after Twin Valley, however. Kutztown, Governor Mifflin, and Exeter are too close to call at the moment. Kutztown is the likely favorite to repeat as class A District Champions. Good news for District III A this season is that 2 teams will qualify for states. That said, Tulpehocken could be in the mix for that 2nd spot at states in 2020.

Here’s a look at how BCIAA teams performed at state’s in 2019:

AAA

13th – Twin Valley

A

14th – Kutztown

Top 15 returnees from the 2019 BCIAA Championships:

Returning state medalists from 2019 include:

A

13th – Mitchell Brett

Here’s a look at a couple of rising freshman looking to make an impact in 2020:

Nate Meister, Twin Valley – Won the BCIAA Jr High Championship Meet. Finished 4th at PTXC11 and 5th at the Centaur Invitational in 2019.

Bradley Harris, Conrad Weiser – 2nd at the BCIAA Jr High Championship Meet. 9th at PTXC11.

Conrad Weiser could have 2 impact freshman this season with Harris and classmate Owen Auchenbach (4th at BCIAA Jr High Champs).