Cross Country season is once again upon us, and so it is time for the XC diehards at Milesplit to share with you our thoughts on the upcoming season. There are championships to defend and new champions to crown, and so what follows is our yearly attempt to inform you of those teams and individuals with the best chance of finishing atop the standings at the end of the season. Alas, this IS Cross Country, a sport in which anything can and will happen. It is also a sport in which a relative unknown can rise to the top in spectacular fashion, which is why we all love it. So read the previews, watch the races, and enjoy the pure beauty of the sport as the season unfolds.
AA Boys Team
West Middlesex returns 5 runners from last year, including their top runner, Adam Shrawder, and should be a challenger for the title. Quaker Valley returns 6 runners from last year, including John Yankello, the 5th individual returner. Last year’s champion, North East, returns 4, but loses their top-2, so a return to the podium will be a challenge. General McLane returns 4 from last year’s runner up squad, but will need a solid 5th runner. What happened to Scranton Prep, you ask. Well, they got bumped up to AAA this year.
AA Boys Individual
Click here for a list of the top returning AA boys in PA by 2007 times
Joe Beveridge (left), Bishop McDevitt, is the defending champion, and has added to his impressive resume with a 9:11.89 3200 to win the state title, as well as a 15:28.67 5k at NSIC, good for 8th place. He looks like a stronger runner this year, and should be tough to beat over the hills of Hershey. Alfredo Santana (right), Nueva Charter, was 3rd last year, and could come out to challenge again this year. Jonathan McElwain, Riverside (Below left), ran a 9:40.39 this spring, and is the 3rd returner from last year. Jim Spisak (Below right), Bishop McCort, is also in the hunt for the win, establishing himself as a solid contender this spring with times of 4:18.30 and 9:18.10. Rounding out the top-10 are John Yankello, Quaker Valley, 5th returner, Andrew Lucarini, Fort Cherry, 6th returner, Tyler Riegel, Tulpehocken, 7th returner, Matt Springer, Riverview, 8th returner, Jacob Kildoo, Grove City, 9th returner, and Andy Luksik, Bishop McCort, 10th returner.
