Class AA Boys Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
Behind a relatively young team, Lewisburg Area ran to the state title in AA boys in a thriller against York Suburban. Lewisburg won on a sixth runner tiebreaker. One boy, state medalist Peter Lantz, graduated from that team and the Green Dragons are arguably a better team this season.
Jacob Hess, now a junior, is running great, and the depth is clicking with Bailey and Thomas Hess. This team has the experience of winning a state title, and it will be very difficult for any other teams to make a run at the win against this powerful team.
There are plenty of very strong teams in AA, though. Kennard-Dale, which took eighth last season, returned its top five to the fold this season. KD put four in the top ten to win the District 3 title handily last week with Quinan leading the way in second. This team will be a very dangerous on Saturday, particularly if it gets a big day from its No. 5 runner.
Central Cambria earned a sweep at the District 6 Championships, scoring a perfect 15 points at Indian Valley Middle School. Behind a strong No. 1 in Cree, the Red Devils rolled to the district win with a gap of just 32 seconds. CC has the potential for a big performance on Saturday, as well.
Greensburg Salem is a team to watch after taking an impressive victory at the District 7 (WPIAL) Championships over a solid Ringgold team. The 2018 AA state champions return to the team battle in Hershey after a one-year hiatus. The Lions, led by Gatons, are battle-tested and should be in the mix for a high placing.
The District 10 champions from Grove City Area are never a team to count out. GC has some good depth and a sub-minute 1-5 gap. Northwestern Lehigh won the District 11 title last week, putting three boys in the top six to win by 32 points over second place. The District 2 winners, Mid Valley, may not have a frontrunner, but they have a good pack that they will use to their advantage in the small state meet field.
Lewisburg is the favorite to repeat as state champs, but there is certainly room for a couple teams to make it close and interesting for AA's top spot.