The Red, White, and Blue Invitational — Western Pennsylvania’s premier cross-country showcase — returns this Friday and Saturday. For runners and fans alike, it’s the highlight of the early season, bringing together the best competition the WPIAL has to offer. With nine races, 100 + schools, and more than 2,300+ competitors, it stands as one of the largest and most anticipated meets in the state. Beyond the numbers, it’s a proving ground — a chance to measure yourself against the best. Stepping onto the Rich Wright course at White Oak Park is a rite of passage for WPIAL runners. Rain, heat, or cold, the Red, White, and Blue always delivers an atmosphere that’s electric, demanding, and unforgettable.

The meet will showcase several strong programs from outside the WPIAL, including Altoona Area, Central Cambria, Elk County Catholic, Erie, Grove City Area, John Marshall, Lakeview, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Rocky Grove, St. Joseph Catholic, Taylor Allderdice, University High, and Warren Area.

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Red, White & Blue Preview: 65 Girls to Watch
Annabel Johnson — Woodland Hills

Annie Czajkowski — Norwin

Angela Zeng — South Fayette

Grace Fritzman — West Allegheny

Zoe Zervos — John Marshall

Abigail Rogers — University High

Cecilia Ressler — Fox Chapel Area

Josie Jones — Grove City Area

Madeline Meeuf — North Catholic

Samantha Strelick — North Allegheny

Abigail Weinstein – Winchester Thurston

Jillian Ryba — Norwin

Ashlyn Noce — Altoona Area

Anna Dansak — Norwin

Bailey White — Taylor Allderdice

Allison Hawkins — Morgantown

Madeline Stock — South Fayette

Hailey Long — Mars Area

Caroline Shirley — Franklin Regional

Addison Farrah — Norwin

Paige Damico — Seneca Valley

Alyssa Urling — North Catholic

Emily Dansak — Norwin

Lauren Hawkins — Morgantown

Tiffany Miller — Montour

Elise Ashcroft — Moon Area

Paige Alexander — Central Cambria

Abby Poe — South Fayette

Rosalia Biundo — University High

Isabel Griffin — Rocky Grove

Lily Ries — North Allegheny

Anna Morris — North Catholic

Ella Shevchuk — Fox Chapel Area

Teagan Yurocko — Pine-Richland

Caroline Sell — North Catholic

Brynn Zangaro — Greater Latrobe

Megyn Amsler — Morgantown

Tamsin Holliday — Mount Lebanon

Ella Yanni — Pine-Richland

Lucy Montagnese — Quaker Valley

Hannah Jones — Seneca Valley

Anabell Evancho — Oakland Catholic

Ella Davis — Pine-Richland

Elinor Handel — North Allegheny

Claire McKinney — Hampton

Gabriela Pizon — North Allegheny

Tessa Driehorst — North Catholic

Marisol Montoya — Mount Lebanon

Marie Roberts — Kiski Area

Sydney Dunn — North Catholic

Chesnee Smith — Hempfield Area

Eva Crofford — Our Lady of Sacred Heart

Elizabeth West — University High

Madison Fellin — Peters Township

Julianne Ott — Baldwin

Lyra Stiglitz — Mount Lebanon

Nina DiMartini — South Fayette

Teresa Pagnotto — North Allegheny

Maggie Killian — North Catholic

Alison Foster — Oakland Catholic

Isabella Baker — Laurel Highlands

Lana Luke — Altoona Area

*Lists were compiled based on coaches’ entries into the meet.

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Red, White & Blue Preview: 65 Boys to Watch
Andrew Peigh – North Allegheny

Micah Gainer – University High

Ethan Conroy – University High

Jonah Montagnese – Quaker Valley

Miles Jenny – Grove City Area

Gatik Hirwani – North Allegheny

Carter French – Knoch

Joaquin Summers – Morgantown

Griffin Martin – South Fayette

Samuel Plazio – Kiski Area

Benjamin McBride – Norwin

Evan Yurasko – Mount Lebanon

Logan Conroy – University High

Jonathan Stetchock – Hempfield Area

Tyler Carroll – North Catholic

Troy Payne – Hempfield Area

Ryan Ewing – Hempfield Area

Charles Jaskowak – Grove City Area

Lucas Thompson – Pine-Richland

Andrew Gildersleeve – Grove City Area

Brennan Patterson – West Allegheny

Wyatt Case – North Allegheny

Ethan Syner – Uniontown Area

Charlie Heese – Greater Latrobe

Maxwell Abildso – Morgantown

Brody Graham – Blackhawk

Devin Junko – Trinity Area High School

James Alexander – Lakeview

Ryo Grande – Erie

Alex Castaneda – Baldwin

Lu Santos – Hampton

James Stacy – Morgantown

Connor Kuglar – South Fayette

Alexander Barrett – Norwin

Malachi Phillips – Lakeview

Ashton Saunders – Riverview

Hunter Petersen – Seneca Valley

Austin Costello – Fox Chapel Area

Luca Flitcraft – Hopewell

Isaiah Bittner – Hempfield Area

Carter Moody – Hempfield Area

River Capek – Quaker Valley

Eli Coffey – Taylor Allderdice

Ethan Haycisak – Central Cambria

Josh Wukitch – Hampton

Tyler Bell – Quaker Valley

Brayden Douglass – Our Lady Of Sacred Heart

Evan Dawson – South Fayette

Colin Schrull – University High

Isaac Burtt – Beaver Area

Jack Steinman – North Catholic

Rocco Grande – Erie

Kaiden Branan – Indiana Area

Carter Kent – California Area

Evan Slawuta – Moon Area

Lucas Bleakney – Ellwood City

Will Nury – Shady Side Academy

Kofi Opoku-Dakwa – Taylor Allderdice

William Little – Norwin

Gauge Gierlach – Rocky Grove

*Lists were compiled based on coaches’ entries into the meet.

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Coach Nixon’s Team Battle of the Day
Red, White & Blue Showdown AAA Boys

Saturday’s Red, White & Blue Invitational won’t just crown winners — it will deliver answers. Powerhouse programs like North Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Norwin, Hempfield, South Fayette, Seneca Valley, North Hills, and Mount Lebanon are all set to collide, giving us the clearest picture yet of who truly sits atop the WPIAL hierarchy. One notable absence is Butler’s boys, who will hold off until the PA Foundation Invitational for their next big meet.

But while Butler is out, an out-of-state juggernaut is in. University High School of West Virginia is making the trip north, hungry to spoil the party and capture its second team title on Pennsylvania soil in as many weeks. Just days ago, University High stormed into Cal U and walked away with the Marty Uher Championship, toppling Upper St. Clair, Uniontown, Ellwood City, and Freeport.

The battle up front promises fireworks. Hempfield’s boys come in loaded, with five runners ranked inside the top 65 of the field. University High counters with two sub-16-minute standouts — athletes capable of going stride for stride with Pennsylvania’s elite. North Allegheny, Morgantown, South Fayette, and Norwin also bring dangerous front-runners who could shake up the standings.

But as every coach knows, the front-runners can only carry a team so far. The true key to victory will lie in each squad’s depth — specifically the No. 4, 5, and 6 runners. Those mid-pack battles will likely decide who hoists the first-place trophy at White Oak Park.

So the question looms large: Will the WPIAL keep its crown, or will a team from West Virginia storm into White Oak Park and walk away with the team AAA title? The answers will come on Saturday — and they’re guaranteed to shake up the WPIAL.

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23^rd Annual Red, White & Blue Classic 2025 Race schedule

Friday

5:00 pm A Girls 

5:45pm A Boys 

Saturday

8:00 am AA Boys

8:45 am AA Girls

9:30 am JV Girls

10:15 am Freshmen Boys & Girls

11:00 am JV Boys

11:45 am AAA Boys

12:30 pm AAA Girls

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NixonTFXC is not affiliated with the WPIAL or PIAA.

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