Photo by Patty Morgan
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In the quest of her third straight state championship, Vincentian Academy's Marianne Abdalah had some company. Country Day of the Sacred Heart's Emma Seifried was her shadow for pretty much the entire race. But in the final stretch, Abdalah retained her title in a crazy race to the finish. Both ran 18:50, but Abdalah was a few tenths faster.
Now Abdalah will try to go for a historic fourth straight PIAA title in Class A. No. 4 may be the most difficult for Abdalah, who had somewhat of a slow start to her senior season. She didn't open up until October with the Paul Short Run. She went down to Virginia for the Third Battle Invite and ran 18:40 for sixth against a strong field. After an undefeated junior season, Abdalah didn't pick up her first win until last week's WPIAL Championships at Slippery Rock. It may be a season that's different than any she's ever had, but it could all still end the same way: with a state title.
The best challenge may come from Jen Korty of Forest City. She won the District 2 A title and hasn't lost in an invite yet this season. Her most impressive win came against some fellow Class A rivals to win at Foundation in 19:08. What's possibly most remarkable is that Korty didn't even qualify for the state meet last season. She'll certainly have a shot to knock off the three-time champion.
Photo by Don Rich
Last year's runner-up Seifried had a solid run at the District 1 Championships, winning for a third straight year. While the beginning of her season wasn't as strong as her first two seasons, the junior should still be a factor this year. Saint Joseph's Catholic's Sera Mazza will be strong. She was fourth last season. The repeat District 6 champion has been tested in many races this season and will be ready to handle the big lights of Hershey.
Farview's Lily Myers is a newcomer, having not run XC before this season, but she's been on fire lately winning at Rocky Grove and then last week's District 10 Champs. She was second to Korty at Foundation. District 3 has plenty of A talent. York Christian's Nicole Shelton won at Big Spring this past weekend, so her along with Columbia Jordan Haberstroh and York Catholic's Katelyn MacDougall should be in contention for top ten spots.
Loyalsock's Isabel Sagar, who moved to PA from Texas this past summer has been making some noise in her limited time in the Keystone State. Can she challenge up front? Marian Catholic's Tina Capparell and Pine Grove's Christina DiFalco should be in the conversation. So should Union City's Alyssa Boyd, who was sixth last year and even beat Abdalah at the Harbor Creek Invite. But Boyd was only fourth in District 10, so can she regroup for states?
Vincentian's Katherine Fedko, Sacred Heart's Kayleigh Doyle, and Kane Area's Chelsea Hunt should be among the other runners with a shot at high finishes.
The competition will be fierce, and Abdalah will look to lead a historic charge to her fourth state title!