JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com
Here is the preview capsule I put together for the L-L League boys’ cross country championship meet:
WHEN: Thursday, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Ephrata Middle School.
DEFENDING CHAMP: Conestoga Valley’s Vince McNally, who won last year’s race, also at Ephrata Middle School, in 15:48.20.
THE FAVORITES: McNally, a senior, is back to defend his title, and he was the only unbeaten runner in the league this season, going 21-for-21 in meets for a perfect 1.00 average. … Cocalico junior John Wallace (33rd last year) and Manheim Township senior Sam Murray (26th last year) were a tick behind McNally in the regular season. They both accumulated 23 points in 21 meets for a 1.10 average. … Hempfield junior Kevin Hull (sixth last year) was fourth in the league with a 1.19 average (25 points in 21 meets) and Cedar Crest senior Matt Heisey (13th last year) rounded out the top five with 26 points in 21 meets for a 1.24 average.
TEAM RACE: Cedar Crest won the regular season championship with a 21-0 record, followed closely by Warwick (20-1), Lancaster Mennonite (18-3) and Manheim Township (17-4), which is the reigning team champ. The Blue Streaks won last year’s team title with a total time of 1:25:59, and an average of 17:11.98 for 80 points. Solanco was second with 97 team points.
NOTABLE: McNally went on to win the District 3 Class Triple-A title and finish fifth in the PIAA Meet last fall, and he’s a heavy favorite to defend his title and make a serious run at the state crown. … Just four other runners who finished in the top 25 will be making return trips to the L-L Meet: Solanco senior Cory Jennings (15th), Lancaster Mennonite senior Seth Charles (21st), Cedar Crest senior Tom Troxell (23rd) and Solanco senior Lyle Ressler (25th).
