Team Breakdown: PIAA District 7 Girls


D7-AAA Girls - Team Breakdown

The WPIAL is stacked with talent all around for the AAA girls coming into the 2018 XC season. The defending district champs return a lot of talent, the returning state champs return a lot of talent, and plenty more will be vying for state spots and high finishes in Hershey. Last year, the WPIAL placed three teams inside the top four at states, and we could look for some similar success this season, too.

After a second place finish at the WPIAL Championships, the Fox Chapel Area girls turned on the jets at the state meet to capture the title. FCA brings back six of its seven state champion varsity runners from last season, so we could look for this squad to make another run at the top spot in AAA again this fall. Sarena Seeger was the team's top girl at states. Along with Annika Urban, Grace Sisson, and Brooke Krally, the core is in place for another big run in 2017.

But the PA champs will be tested in their own district, just as they were last season. Oakland Catholic put it all together at the WPIAL Champs last year to pick up the win. Led by Hannah Schupansky's incredible 17:58 run at Cooper's Lake, OC upset FCA for the win. Schupansky is back for her senior year, and so are four others from that WPIAL title squad. Oakland can not only compete for another WPIAL title, but also have a shot at the state crown.

North Allegheny will also be very strong this season. Despite losing Clara Savchik (two-time state runner-up) to graduation, the Tigers bring back five girls from their varsity squad that placed third at WPIALs and fourth in the state. Hannah Lindgren was fifth in the WPIAL and 13th at states. Expect NA to make another great run, especially with being tested by FCA and OC all season long.

Unseating last year's top three will be no simple task, but this is one of the state's deepest AAA districts, with a number of talented and hungry teams in the lot, so expect a close battle.

One team with a good shot at a state spot is Seneca Valley. The Raiders were fourth last season at districts with a 1-5 gap of just 48 seconds. Only one girl graduates from that squad and three of those girls qualified for state individually last season. SV has plenty of talent, led up front by Lizzy White, and could certainly challenge for the top three. If it makes it to Hershey, this is a dangerous team.

Fifth place in the WPIAL last year was Upper Saint Clair. Gone is Savannah Shaw, who was second at WPIALs and third in the state last year, but a young upstart squad returns. Claire Hoffman emerged in a big way last year as a freshman, and seems ready to lead the way for USC this season.

Mount Lebanon, Peters Township, and Pine-Richland are among the other teams looking to make a good run in this very strong district. Keep an eye on the WPIAL this season because how District 7 shakes out could give you a good idea of how things will play out at the state meet.