Breakdown: District 6 Boys


D6-AA Boys - Team & Individuals Breakdown

  • Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
  • State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 1
  • State Qualifying Spots For Non-Team Individuals: 5
  • 2018 Individual Champion: Garrett Baublitz (Juniata) - 16:28
  • 2018 Team Champion: Central Cambria - 44 points

Individuals Preview

Garrett Baublitz ran to the D6-AA title last season, and then a week later pulled out a terrific states race to place second in Class AA. Now the Juniata harrier enters his senior season as the top returner (based on states results) in Class AA and will be a threat for the state's top spot in the classification.

Baublitz is also coming off a incredible outdoor state meet that saw him win both the 1600 and 800 in Class AA, running 4:11 and 1:53, respectively. He says he prefers the track to XC, but this will still certainly be a very big season on the trails for Baublitz.

Speaking of big track seasons, another strong runner to watch for in D6-AA is Nick Fetzer of Westmont Hilltop. Fetzer was third in the district and then 25th at states last fall, earning a state medal. But he really made his presence felt on the track this past spring, running bests of 9:31 in the 3200 and 4:21 in the 1600. He took home Class AA medals in both events. He'll be a major factor this fall in XC.

Bedford's Van May was second to Baublitz at districts last fall and 16th at states last fall. So May will also be one to watch as he heads into his junior season. He was the second sophomore across the line at the state meet last year in AA.

Central Cambria's Nate Kuntz (sixth), Ike Haycisak (eighth), and Eli Wandel (ninth) are among the other returners from the top ten in the district last year, while Central Cambria's Adam Lechleitner (11th) and Bellefonte's Austin Melius (12th) look to move up into the top ten or better this fall.

Team Preview

Central Cambria took home its fourth straight District 6 Class AA title last year and will be on the hunt for its fifth straight this season. In 2018, the Red Devils won the district with depth and a tight 1-5 gap of just 32 second at Indian Valley Middle School's course.

All but one varsity runner from last year (Ohm Vyas) returns, so the Red Devils are in a good spot to make it five-in-a-row in D6-AA. Last year, CC won the district by 57 points. Wandel led the team at states, where the team took 12th in Class AA. Look for the Red Devils to improve upon that this season with more experience under its belt.

Juniata took second to Central Cambria last year, and will look to improve to give the defending champs a run for the district's lone state qualifying spot. They have the lowstick in Baublitz, and four other varsity boys are back from last season.

Bedford, led by May, also have five varsity returners (four of which were ninth graders last year; May was a sophomore). They could turn this into a very strong season. Penn Cambria, Westmont Hilltop, and Somerset Area are among the other squads that will look to get in the mix for a high D6-AA finish.