D10-A Boys - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Non-Team Individuals: 10
- 2018 Individual Champion: Troy Hart (Reynolds) - 18:31
- 2018 Team Champion: Cochranton - 64 points
Individuals Preview
Troy Hart of Reynolds will aim to retain his D10-A individual title that he won a year ago in the mud at Buhl Park. Hart out-dueled West Middlesex's Luke Mantzell for that win. Both boys -- now rising seniors -- are back again this season.
Hart was the highest placed D10 runner at the state meet in Class A, taking 19th at Hershey. He'll be shooting to improve upon that this fall. Mantzell, meanwhile, was 28th at states, just on the outside looking in on medal territory, so he'll be motivated heading into his senior season. We could see another battle for the D10-A title again this fall.
Someone you can't count out is Noah Bernarding of Cochranton. He was a state medalist in 2017, taking 21st as a sophomore. He was seventh in D10-A last season, but look for Bernarding to compete for the district title and a high states finish in his final high school season.
One up-and-comer to watch for is Landon Myer of Union City. As a freshman, Myer placed third in the district (and 85th in the state). Look for him to make an impact again this season. Wilmington's Dale Nestor (sixth in 2018), Northwestern's Keaton Wade (ninth), and Cambridge Springs' Hunter Spaid (tenth) are among the other boys back that placed inside the top 10 in the district last year.
Sharpsville's William Divens and Cambridge Springs' Bobby Moats are among the others that posted quick 5Ks times last season that could be a factor.
Team Preview
Expect a hotly contested battle for the two state qualifying spots in District 10 Class A this fall with a number of teams capable of seizing the top spot.
The defending champs from Cochranton, which placed sixth at the state meet (a year after placing seventh at Hershey) return Bernarding, but lose three of its top four from last year's squad. It will have work to do to win its third straight district crown, but don't count them out.
West Middlesex, which took second to Cochranton in the district last year and placed tenth at states, loses its 2-3 runners from 2018, while retaining Mantzell and a host of others. If those 4-5-6 runners from a year ago can move up, WM can be a factor again.
So who can rise to the occasion if last year's state teams don't retool? Cambridge Springs was third last year with a young squad that returns six of seven. Spaid was an impact frosh, while Kline and Moats made a formidable 2-3. This team is capable of winning the district. The same goes for Rocky Grove, which brings back its full varsity squad from last season. RG will be a tough team, particularly if its top group can move up in the field.
Teams like Union City, Northwestern, and Reynolds could get in the mix if they can improve their depth going into the season.