Six Flags Wild Safari Inv 2011 Preview

The Six Flags Wild Safari Inv turns 2 years old this fall with a much bigger field. The meet has grown from 176 boys and girls teams to 243. Schools will be competing from NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD and VA. The only change from last year is that the small and large schools will alternate morning and afternoon each year, with the large school races starting early this year.

So who will make the All-Six Flags Team, the fastest 7 times of the day for the boys and girls. The girls' field is very deep with 15 girls who ran faster than 11:10 for 3200 or the 3000 equivalent last spring. Leading the charge is Dana Giradano (Bernards), Liz Predmore (Shenendehowa, NY), Julie Macedo (Charter School of Wilmington, DE), Meghan McGovern (North Penn, PA), and Dina Iacone (Washington). Giordano made her big breakthrough last year at this race, running the fastest girl's time of the day of 18:02. She ran 10:24 for 3200 (coverted 2 mile) last spring. Predmore ran 10:27 for 3200. Liz won the Guilderland Inv on 9/10 in NY. Macedo ran 10:34 for 3200 and ran a course record 17:36 in winning the Lake Forest Inv on 9/10. McGovern ran 10:39 and is the 4th returnee from last year's PA XC State Large School Race and Iacone ran 4:55/10:38 for 1600/3200 last spring. Predmore, Macedo, McGovern and Iacone are all in the "A" race. Others, in no particular order are Sammy Abueldoleh (Washington), Amanda Rickert (Charter/Wilmington, DE), Kelly Hayes (Pearl River, NY), Ursula Svoboda (Suffern, NY), Nisa Cicitta and Shannon Carney (Voorhees), Meghan Malloy and Shelby Cain (Haddonfield), Megan Young (Nanuet, NY) and Briana Feerst (Pt Pleasant Beach). Giordano, Svoboda and Feerst were All-Six Flags Team last year.

The boys field is not as top heavy but more wide open. Based on track times, Ryan Phillips (Regis, NY) at 9:25 for 3200 and Will McDuffie (Collegiate), who ran 4:19 for 1600 are the fastest. Phillips was 2nd at the Regis Inv running 13:01 at Van Cortland last weekend. He is followed by a group of runners that ran in the 9:40s for 3200 or mid 4:20s in the 1600. Steve Flynn (Edison), Sean Ferguson (St John Baptist, NY), Riley Leder (Colts Neck), Luke Dermody (Hightstown), Dylan Palacio (Long Beach, NY), Chris Steenkamer (St Mark's, DE), Anthony Bucci (Gov Livingston), Harry Brakewood (Voorhees), Julio Melendez (Nyack, NY), Robert Guiducci (Robbinsville). With so many so close and the possibility of others improving greatly over the summer and closing the small gap, it will be anyone's guess who makes the All-Six Flags Team for the boys.

The race for the fastest girls team average starts with last year's winner, Voorhees. They lost only one girl from that NXN qualifying team. They are ranked #1 in NJ and #13 in the US. Other teams that will take a shot at fastest girls average should be Shenendehowa and Suffern, NY, ranked 6th and 7th in the NY State Large School division, RBC ranked #4 in NJ and Mt St Dominic, ranked #6.

For the boys, it is wide open. Holmdel is the top NJ team at #16, Bronxville, NY, #1 Class C and Syosset, NY and a host of others.

Runners and teams to watch in each race.

Varsity A

Girls - Liz Predmore (Shenendehowa, NY), Julie Macedo & Amanda Rickert (Charter School of Wilmington, DE), Meghan McGovern (North Penn, PA), and Dina Iacone (Washington), Elizabeth Hekker (North Rockland, NY). Teams: Shenendehowa, NY, Charter School of Wilmington, DE,

Boys - Steve Flynn (Edison), Sean Fergusen (St John Baptist). Teams: Syosset, NY; Massapequa, NY

Varsity B

Girls - Kelly Hayes (Pearl River), Ursula Svoboda (Suffern). Teams: Suffern, NY, #7 NY Class A; Pearl River, NY, #10 NY Class B

Boys - Riley Leder (Colts Neck), Luke Dermody (Hightstown), Chris Teenager (St Mark's, DE), Dylan Palacio (Long Beach, NY). Teams: Bronxville, NY, #1 NY Class C; Colts Neck

Varsity C

Girls - Dana Giordano (Bernards), Nisa Cicitta and Shannon Carney (Voorhees). Teams: Voorhees, #1 NJ; RBC #4 NJ

Boys - Anthony Bucci (Gov Livingston), Harry Brake wood (Voorhees), Julio Melendez (Nyack, NY), Robert Guidance (Robbinsville). Teams: Holmdel, NJ #16; Somers, NY, #6 NY Class B;

Varsity D

Girls - Briana Feerst (Pt Pleasant Beach), Meghan Malloy & Shelby Cain (Haddonfield), Megan Young (Nanuet). Teams: Nanuet, NY #7, NY Class B; Tri- Valley, NY #10, NY Class C; Mt St Dominic, #6 NJ, #1 Non-Public B

Boys - Ryan Phillips (Regis), Will McDuffie (Collegiate). Teams: Collegiate, NY, #3 NY Class C; Dobbs Ferry, NY, #9 NY Class C