Individuals Breakdown: District 1 Boys

2017 PA XC Season Previews
Dan Beck


D1-AAA Boys - Individuals Breakdown

In a crowded group of contenders last season, Neshaminy's Rusty Kujdych rose above the rest. He dominated the District 1 Championship last season, running away with what was projected to be a much closer race. A week later, he ran an aggressive race and wound up tenth, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Kujdych will once again be a serious factor and one of the favorites to win the individual state title.

But just in District 1, he'll have his fair share of challengers this season with a number of rising seniors expected to be in the mix. Ryan Campbell of Council Rock North just kept getting better last fall. After a 23rd place finish at PTXC 8, he ended up seventh at the state meet, the highest placed returning D1 runner in the field. Campbell and Kujdych are conference rivals, so they'll see a lot of each other this fall, making it one of the most compelling matchups to watch for.

West Chester Henderson's Spencer Smucker will be in the mix, too. He also came on strong late in the season last year and took fourth at districts and 12th at states. He is fresh off a 4:18 full mile on the track and should be a serious factor this season. There's also Owen J Roberts' Liam Conway. He fell victim to an injury at states, but was in the midst of a fantastic season before that. He shined on the track in the 1,600 meters (a 4:13 PR this spring), but he told us he's ready to show what he's got while healthy in XC.

One runner we certainly can't forget about is Josh Hoey of Bishop Shanahan. The rising senior is coming off a monster spring/summer on the track, where he rolled to an 800 meter state title and posted a best of 1:49.37 at USATF Juniors. He was off his game last fall after transferring from Downingtown West, but remember that he was third in the state as a sophomore and has run 15:21 for 5K. He has the talent to potentially become an XC state champ and we'll see if he can get back to that 2015 form.


There's a bunch of runners capable of big breakthroughs this season to challenge that "top tier" of athletes in District 1.

CR North's Sam Earley was 25th at states last fall after a 13th place finish at districts. He'll be a crucial member of North's team, which hopes to repeat as state champs, so look for Earley to rise to the occasion even more this season. Carlos Shultz of Conestoga had one of the best freshman seasons in PA in recent memory, running a best of 15:56. Now that he's a sophomore, Shultz will look to continue his progression and try to get on the medal stand at states. Penncrest's Avery Lederer just missed a state medal, but returns with a ton of talent. Expect him to be in the conversation for a top 25 or better placing at the state meet.

Some of the others to watch for in this deep district are William Tennent's Sean Rahill (37th at states in 2016), Quakertown's Hudson Delisle, Spring Ford's Shane Ainscoe, Central Bucks East's David Endres, and CR North's Ethan Koza. Downingtown West's Tyler Rollins, Unionville's Cole Walker, and West Chester East's Joshua Lewin are among those who had strong spring seasons.