D9-AA Girls - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 1
- State Qualifying Spots For Non-Team Individuals: 5
- 2018 Individual Champion: Samantha Hayes (Saint Marys Area) - 21:30
- 2018 Team Champion: Saint Marys Area - 19 points
Individuals Preview
Samantha Hayes ran to the district title last season, leaving little doubt about. Hayes won by over a minute, and then the Saint Marys sophomore went on to place 16th at states to earn a medal. Now a junior, she'll look for another district title and an even higher states finish.
After her, we can expect plenty of her teammates. Saint Marys' Megan Quesenberry and Lucy Anthony took second and third, respectively at the district meet last season. Bradford Area's Hannah Lary and Punxsutawney's Olivia Roberts will be looking to break up the Saint Marys pack. Those two were fifth and sixth at districts last year.
Also from Saint Marys, Tessa Grotzinger and Brianna Grotzinger placed high at districts last year, and are back this season looking to do the same.
Team Preview
There likely won't be much standing in the way of Saint Marys Area, which is in pursuit of its fourth straight District 9 Class AA team title. A year ago, SMA rolled to the district win at Ridgway, putting just 19 points on the board. It followed that up with a strong states effort, placing eighth at Hershey.
The full varsity squad for Saint Marys is back this fall. Expect this team to run to another district crown and compete for a high finish at the state meet. On the state level, AA is packed with teams with a lot of returners. Saint Marys is one of the squads and it should be able to battle well with them.
Punxsutawney Area, which brings back all but one from last year's team, is in the driver's seat for that second place spot.