Class A Boys Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
The Jenkintown boys will shoot for some redemption. The Drakes, who rolled to the state crown in 2018 in Class A, were third last season, but Luke Miller, the team's top runner, didn't finish the state meet race. Miller is back and so is a healthy Geer and the the Michells.
This team may be as good at that '18 title team, but first it will want the state gold to prove it. With a good mix of front-running and depth, Jenkintown will have a great shot at capturing its second state crown in three years.
Of course, the defending state champions will be right there in the mix for the title. Winchester Thurston took home the state's top spot last year, returning to the top of PA in Class A for the first time since 2016. The Bears lost a few key members from that squad, but as Thurston has a habit of doing, they've rebuilt well. Malone is a solid No. 1 up front, while Nicholls and Gus Robinson will be top 15 threats. The key for the 2019 champs to repeat will come from its 4-5 runners.
Thurston comes in battle-tested, after defeating a very solid Riverview squad for the WPIAL title, and with it, the lone state-qualifying spot in D7. Riverview would have been right in the mix with these favorites for the win if it advanced out of districts.
Penns Valley Area, the 2017 state champions, figures to be in the mix. The Rams will be without Colwell (second in the state last year), who is out for the year with an injury, but have seen the return of the defending state champ Sands. That lowstick will be crucial in a small field. Thaddeus Smith has stepped up after a second place D6 finish. With a big day from the likes of Simon Smith, Daniel Kelly and Max Feidler, PV will be itself in contention for the top spot, as well.
Those three teams seem -- also the last three state champions in Class A -- seem to have the upperhand on the rest of the field. But it's 2020 and there's always a chance for another squad to step in and surprise us.
The District 2 champions from Holy Cross should be strong. With a strong No. 1 in Jumper and the depth looks to be coming around. 11th a year ago, Holy Cross should make a strong run at the top five. The same goes for Rocky Grove, which won the District 10 title behind an individual win from Vincent and a strong pack of its 3-4-5-6 runners. Hughesville bested the mud to win the District 4 title last week and they will enter this weekend with some momentum that they will use to their advantage.
District 3 champions York Catholic and District 9 champions Cranberry will be worth keeping an eye on as each team could have a shot at the top five, too, in a field that looks to be pretty wide open after the top three.