Girls' Class A
For the first time in a while, the conversation for top Class A runner won't involve Marianne Abdalah, who will graduate and attend West Virginia University.
But we do have the Girls' A state champion returning. Saint Joseph's Catholic's Sera Mazza will return next year for her junior season and is the favorite to defend her crown. She'll have some company, though, after a very close Class A race at the state meet. Pine Grove's Christina DiFalco, second at states, will look to keep improving. New Brighton's Alyssa Campbell will be back for her junior season next year, as well. We should also see a healthy Lexi Walsh from Holy Cross and Sacred Heart's Emma Seifried. Loyalsock's Isabel Sagar and Marian Catholic's Tina Capparell will also be in the mix.
In the team race, Mazza's Saint Joseph's Catholic squad returns five of seven from their state championship team looking to make it three in a row. Marion Center, which was third in the state and just a point behind SJCA in District 6, will also return five of seven. While Vincentian Academy loses Abdalah, they have six of seven back, led by Katherine Fedko and they should among the top teams.
Way Too Early Prediction: Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy three-peats as state champs, but Loyalsock's Isabel Sagar, after another year of adjusting to life in PA, takes the individual title.