D9-AA Boys - Individuals Breakdown
- Class AA Individuals Rankings
- State Qualifying Spots For Non-Team Individuals: 5
- 2017 Champion: Logan Caruso (Bradford Area) - 17:07
There was one senior in the top 12 of D9-AA last season. That one senior -- Logan Caruso of Bradford Area -- captured his third career district XC title and has now graduated. It's time for a new champion this fall and there are plenty of candidates.
The favorite is Owen Bartlebaugh of Punxsutawney Area. He took second to Caruso at districts and then placed 48th at states -- the second highest placed D9-AA runner behind only Caruso. This spring he won the D9-AAA 3,200 meter title on the track and seems poised for a big fall on the XC trails.
A host of others will look to challenge him, though. Bradford's Tyler Kraft was third at the district meet last year, nine seconds off Bartlebaugh. Kraft's Bradford teammate Vinnie Bizzarro will also be in contention; he was fourth in the district in 2016 before taking eighth last year.
Another Punxsy contender is Corbin Heitzenrater. He took fourth at districts last season. Clearfield Area has a solid group of rising seniors -- Harry McMillen, Isaac Swanson, and Jeremiah Vezza -- that took 5-6-7 at districts last season.
Overall, it appears to be a fairly open field for some limited states spots this fall in District 9.