Teams
Villa Maria Academy have been the class of the division since their opening race on September 12 at the Red White and Blue Invite. They won the AAA race at that meet with 25 points and blew the field away. They followed that up with victories at Slippery Rock, PIAA Foundation, and McQuaid. Only a slight hiccup at the Tri State Championships has prevented Villa Maria from going unbeaten. Claire Brown leads the charge for the defending champions, who will be heavy favorites.
As for the chase pack, Vila Joseph Marie out of district 1 have become one of the surprise teams of the season. The team has been embedded with a brand new group of young freshmen who have embraced the high school scene. Katie Irelan won the district title and has been the top runner of this new team that has five 9th graders in the varsity seven. This will be the biggest stage they have competed on as a young team. With no pressure, they should handle the stage well.
Quaker Valley have been on a good roll since the start of October. Lucie Kubinski and Audrey Durbin have been the two frontrunners on the team this season. But in the past few weeks, the success has been boosted by the return of the 1600 meter AA state champion Hannah Bablak. She finished as their 3rd runner for their district title win and her quick rise up the team can help Quaker Valley earn a high finish on Saturday.
Abington Heights won district 2 and finished 2nd at the Foundation Meet that Katie Dammer was victorious in. Danville Area won District 4 and will have a good pack supporting front runner Mackenzie Jones.
Individuals
Defending state champion Ally Rome of Dallas is finding her championship form at the right time. Rome is coming off a district 2 win and she will enter the meet with the fastest time in the division. She has finished in the top 10 in all competitions this season. The only disadvantage she may have is that her title win last year was boosted by having teammate Lindsay Oremus run the entire race alongside her. Will Rome be able to produce a solo title defense?
A pair of freshmen will look to upset the champion and win the state title in their first attempt. Kiele Riefenstahl of Saucon Valley enters the state race unbeaten against PA competition and will fancy her chances to place high on Saturday. The other freshman in the field that can make a big noise is Katie Irelan of Villa Joseph Marie. She has been the leader for the team since day 1 and is the district 1 champion. She ran 18:30 at Lehigh and will aim for a top five finish at states.
Maggie Toczko of Tunkhannock, Erin Feeney of Scranton Prep, and Katie Dammer of Abington Heights compose of a District 2 trio that will be looking to upset Ally Rome on Saturday. Toczko won the Spiked Shoe Invite, Erin Feeney won in her first meet at Cliff Robbins, and Katie Dammer won at PIAA Foundation. They will have a big gap to close on Rome, but their familiarity with the champion should give them hope.
Kayla Connelly of Lansdale Catholic has finished in the top ten each of the past two seasons at states and is coming off her 3rd consecutive district 12 championship. Michelle Bauer of St Mary's has been one of the most improved runners of the season, finishing in the top seven in all competitions, including a three meet winning streak.