Boys PIAA Class AA - 2019 Preview
Key Storylines To Follow This Season
- Track standout Baublitz looks for XC state title
- How will 2018 freshman sensation Hess improve into his sophomore season?
- Indiana Area, Lewisburg, and Grove City among the top squads
- How can defending champs Greensburg Salem retool?
Individuals Overview
Unlike the girls, not a whole lot of the top AA boys from last season are back this fall. 2018 AA state champ Jonah Powell has graduated, along with five others from the top ten from last year's state meet.
The one to beat looks to be Garrett Baublitz of Juniata. He was in the mix for the win at last year's state meet and ultimately took second in a pack of all seniors. He followed up that runner-up states finish with an even better season on the track. Baublitz beat Powell in both the 1,600 and 800, running 4:11 and 1:53, respectively. That crossed him into star territory and it could translate into an XC state title this fall.
He'll have challengers, though. Lewisburg's Jacob Hess rose to the occasion last season as a freshman and placed seventh at states, the next top returner after Baublitz. With more experience as a sophomore, could Hess pull it off? General McLane's Dylan Throop and Wyomissing Area's Ben Kuhn are also back from the top ten.
Other contenders in what is a relatively wide open season in AA are Loyalsock's Alejandro Quintana, Meadville's Patrick Stevens, Westmont Hilltop's Nick Fetzer, Blackhawk's Jack Aulbach, and Quaker Valley's Daniel Ford.
Team Overview
Expect an exciting and close race for the AA team title, as some of 2018's top squads have some quality returners that should make it interesting.
Greensburg Salem ran away with the state title last season, putting just 63 points on the board to turn it into a blowout. But the Lions lose its top three from last year's team. It will look to add some depth to make a run at a repeat.
A team looking to seize the day will be the 2018 runners-up from Indiana Area. Five varsity runners are back from that team, including Iago Jopia and Kendall Branan. Branan was 46th at states last year as a junior, but was 11th at states as a sophomore. He ran 1:54 for 800 meters this past spring and could be a serious threat for a very lowstick this season. Indiana could move up to the top spot this fall.
Lewisburg Area -- fourth last year at states -- bring back the full varsity team from 2018. Led by Hess, who emerged as one of the state's best as a freshman, Lewisburg will be a very dangerous team capable of winning the whole thing. Grove City, which took third last year, will be strong as well. The defending champ Powell has graduated, but five varsity boys return and GCA should make a run at another high finish.
New Castle brings back its top five from last year's seventh place state team. Anthony Litrenta is a strong returning leader for this squad, which should find itself inside the top five this season. North East, Central Cambria, and Wyomissing are among the other teams to keep an eye on this fall.