WPIAL AAA Boys
Drew Griffith is on a mission this season. From the two races I witnessed, he appears more focused and determined this season.

Who can challenge Jack Bertram and North Allegheny at the WPIAL Finals? Does Butler, Norwin, Pine Richland, Fox Chapel, South Fayette, or Seneca Valley have the depth to compete with the defending WPIAL Champions?

Ethan Vaughan is emerging as a formidable competitor in 2023. The Fox Chapel junior has shown improvement in each race he has competed in this season.

10 runners to watch 
Drew Griffith Butler
Ethan Vaughan Fox Chapel
Enzo Jiancristoforo Norwin
Nathan Kociela Franklin Regional
Jack Bertram North Allegheny
James Behrend North Allegheny
Kevin Mcloughlin Pine Richland
Lucas Thompson Pine Richland
Luke Simpson Norwin
Michael Gauntner North Allegheny


WPIAL AA Boys
Ryan Pajak opened the season with a time of 15:01 at Mingo………………

Overall, I feel the boys’ AA field is the most competitive and the deepest in the WPIAL. The top 15 spots change each week; whoever wants it more at the WPIAL finals will definitely have to earn it. (Early pick for race of the day)

The Hampton boys’ team is looking stronger and better than they did in 2022. It’s going to be tough to dethrone the reigning defending WPIAL champs. It would be interesting to see them compete in AAA. Other teams to watch include Montour, Quaker Valley, and Beaver.

Dale Hall continues to prove that he isn’t just a 1600-meter specialist and can run a solid 15-minute 5k. I could see him breaking 15:00 by the WPIAL finals.

10 Runners to watch 
Christopher Belch Hampton
Clark Lalomia Quaker Valley
Dale Hall Hampton
David Yowler Blackhawk
Jacob Bonnar Hampton
Julian Kletz Montour
Giacomo Lepore North Catholic
Michael Braun Freeport
Patrick Burgos Elizabeth Forward
Ryan Pajak Ringgold

WPIAL A Boys
Eden Christian Academy is still the obvious favorite to win their first WPIAL team XC championship with the 1-2 punch of Nathan Garrett & Ethan Haring,  but the team won’t have one of their top seven runners competing at the WPIAL finals.

Riverview, Winchester Thurston, Ellwood City, and Mohawk are the teams that could pull the upset at White Oak Park.

10 Runners to watch
Christopher Barnes Riverview
Charlie Routledge Winchester Thurston
Ethan Haring Eden Christian Academy
Eli Desimone Winchester Thurston
Holden Deasy Riverview
Jacob Marshall Eden Christian Academy
Jaxon Schoedel Mohawk
Nathan Garrett Eden Christian Academy
Nick Szekely Greensburg Central Catholic
Will Stickman OLSH

Donation to NixonTFXC
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8Xxm7SiOrj