Illinois Star Zach Kinne Transfers To North Allegheny


One of the top distance runners from Illinois is coming to Pennsylvania for his senior season.

Zach Kinne, formerly from Neuqua Valley, has transferred to North Allegheny and he will join the Tigers starting in the fall cross country season. The rising senior becomes one of the favorites for an individual PIAA state title in the fall, and he adds another low stick to a solid NA squad.

Kinne's father got a job that will bring him to the state for his final season of scholastic competition.

Last year as a junior at Neuqua Valley, Kinne took fourth at the IHSA XC State Championships in 3A, the state's largest classification. This spring on the track, he placed second in the IHSA in 3A in the 3,200 meters.

Kinne boasts some strong track PRs of 4:14.52 for 1,600 meters, 9:03.55 for 3,200 meters, and 14:47.01 for 5,000 meters. On the cross country trails, Kinne has run 14:33 for 3 miles and 15:13 for 5K. 

North Allegheny, perennially one of the state top programs, returns five of its top seven from last year's team, which placed 12th in AAA at states in Hershey. Kinne will join rising junior Daniel McGoey, who took third at states last season and is the top returner based on states finish. 

Pennsylvania is no stranger to big out-of-state transfers. Noah Affolder moved from New York to Carlisle for his senior season. Affolder won the AAA XC state title during his one season in the Keystone State.

Hear from Kinne after placing second at the IHSA Track & Field Championships in the 3,200 this past spring: