Individuals Breakdown: District 7 (WPIAL) Girls

Photo by Phil Grove

D7-A Girls - Individuals Breakdown

For the first time in four years, we'll see a new champion in District 7's Class A.  Vincentian's Marianne Abdalah has graduated after winning the WPIAL Class A crown each year of her career. Abdalah, also a three-time PIAA state champ in XC leaves behind a legacy, but now it's time for someone new to step up.

She was third at districts last year, but New Brighton's Alyssa Campbell was also third in the state. Campbell pulled out the best race of her career and came away with a big 5K PR at Hershey to capture a very high finish at states, just six seconds off the title and one place ahead of the champ Abdalah. With another clutch performance, just how well can Campbell do this year in her senior year?

Another breakthrough performer last season was Shady Side's Jeanne Lauer. She went from not even qualifying for states as a sophomore to placing third in the WPIAL and eighth in the state as a junior. Lauer kept it going through the spring and clocked a 1600 meter PR of 5:05.

Neshannock's Abby Hutchison was another medalist from last season. The rising junior wound up 12th at states last season after narrowly missing out on the top 25 the previous season. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's Rylee Kopchak will look to bookend her career with a spot on the medal stand in Hershey. Kopchak, who was fifth at districts last year, ended up 26th at states.

The Vincentian duo of Katherine Fedko and Marisa Canizan had strong seasons last fall, and despite the absense of Abdalah, will be on one of the WPIAL's top teams. Look for these two to be motivated to have good junior year on the trails. Hollie Walters, also of Vincentian, was a talented freshman from last season and will look to continue to progress this season.

West Greene's McKenna Lampe, Our Lady of Sacred Heart's Haley Hamilton, Northgate's Megan Wisniewski, and Riverview's Izzy Komaniak are among the other individuals who should perform well this season.