Photo by Patty Morgan
Independent (PAISAA) Schools
Individuals - Wilkinson, Jorgensen, Isabelle Goldstein Will Contend
Abbe Goldstein of Germantown Academy earned her elusive first PAISAA title last fall, winning by a large margin. But Goldstein is off to Harvard and the door is open for a new champion among the the independent school teams in PA.
Friends' Central's Gabrielle Wilkinson ran 18:24 last season at Paul Short, but didn't compete in the latter half of the season. She had a great end to her outdoor track season, dropping a 2:06.03 in the 800. She also ran 4:52 in the 1600 meters and should be a threat in XC.
But could Abbe's sister Isabelle Goldstein be the heir apparent? She was seventh at PAISAAs last season in XC, but had a monster spring season, which included a 5:04 in the 1600 meters. She hopes the title will stay in the family, but Episcopal Academy's Caitlin Jorgensen may have something to say about that. She was second at PAISAAs in XC last fall behind Abbe and also had a strong spring. The rising junior would love to earn the crown.
Others to track this fall will be Mercersburg's Sophia Divone, Agnes Irwin's Sanaiya Watts, and Germantown Gianna Murgia.
Teams - Minus The Reigning Champ, GA Will Still Be Strong
Germantown Academy loses the champ in Abbe Goldstein, but they return its two, three, four, and five runners from last year's team that scored just 31 points. They look to be the early favorites to defend the PAISAA crown.
Friends' Central (second in 2016) and Academy of Notre Dame (third in 2016) also have some strong returners. FCS was second last fall without Wilkinson racing, while Notre Dame brings back five of seven from last year's squad.