Individuals Breakdown: District 6 Girls

D6-A Girls - Individuals Breakdown

2016 was a dream season for Sera Mazza. The sophomore took down three-time state champion Marianne Abdalah to win the individual state title, and her Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy team also claimed the Class A state title by the slimmest of margins (a sixth runner tiebreaker over Elk Lake).

Mazza, who was fourth in the state as a freshman, ran an incredible second half of her race at states to hawk down a number of contenders and earn the title. Repeating as state champ is never easy, and Mazza will have plenty of challengers, such as Pine Grove's Christina DiFalco and Sacred Heart's Emma Seifried. But the junior and her team will be motivated to make 2017 as memorable as last year.

We can't forget, however, that Class A in District 6 is loaded. SJCA has plenty of talent back from its state championship team from last fall. Julia Cusatis was second to Mazza at districts and took 30th at states. The junior will look to move up into medal territory this fall. Also from SJCA, sophomore Addie Ebbs and senior Maggie Urban were 34th and 35th respectively at states last season. Just ten seconds off Cusatis, look for that trio to work together to get on the individual medal stand at Hershey.

Marion Center has a strong team as well, and despite the loss of the graduated Taya Whitfield, it could be just as strong this year. Alyx Cornetto was fourth at districts last season and placed 24th as a freshman last season. She'll be aiming for another medal at states this season. MacKenzie Walker will be one to watch, though. She was seventh at districts and 42nd at states in XC last fall, but really took her running to the next level this spring, running 11:01 for 3200 meters and placing fourth at outdoor track states. Mckenzie Lucas was 45th at XC states, just behind Walker, last fall and will look to move up as well.

Hailey Prestash of West Branch was 31st at states and hopes for more success this season---possibly a medal. Bishop Carroll's Sarah Farabaugh and United's Sasha Walls are among the other girls that should make an impact in the district this season.