D12-AA Boys - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
- 2020 Individual Champion: Gary Martin (Archbishop Wood) - 16:34
- 2020 Team Champions: Archbishop Wood - 34 points
Individuals Breakdown
One year ago, Gary Martin entered the fall as a relative unknown on the Pennsylvania distance running scene. Now, a year later, Martin now has three state titles to his name, an all-time state record, and one of the fastest XC 5Ks in state history. Martin is now, for lack of a better term, an absolute star in PA and the nation. He is set to begin his senior season and surely, all eyes will be on the Archbishop Wood harrier.
Martin cruised to the District 12 title last fall, before grabbing a surprise state win in AA. He will be the overwhelming favorite to repeat his state title and look to be the early regional favorite, as well. Becoming the first-ever boys individual XC national champion from Pennsylvania is certainly in the cards. This will be an exciting season for Martin and fans of PA XC alike.
Another one to watch in D12-AA is Anthony Gargani of Lansdale Catholic. He had a strong junior season, taking second to Martin in the district and then 24th at the state meet, earning a medal in AA. He was also a state medalist on the track, running 9:31 for 3200m (as well as 4:23 for a full mile).
The Engineering & Science duo of Aaron Drumwright (third in the Public League) and Andrew Drumwright (sixth in the Public League) and Wood's Colby Micheels will also be ones to keep an eye on this fall.
Team Breakdown
Archbishop Wood earned the lone state qualifying spot in D12-AA last season. Behind Martin's one-stick, Wood put six in the top 13 to capture the district title and a trip to the state meet, where the Vikings placed tenth. Wood brings back it's top three in Martin, Micheels, and Jackson Kiss. The Vikings will look to add some depth to the backend of its varsity squad to make another run at the state meet.
D12-AA should have gotten two state spots last year, but due to the pandemic, the PIAA only took one spot per district/classification. This year, it's back to two teams. Lansdale Catholic was the unlucky second team in 2020, but LC should be a factor this season for that second spot. Gargani is a solid No. 1 and LC will also be looking to see some improvers to make good run at Hershey.
Engineering & Science, which was third in the district in 2019, didn't compete last fall along with the rest of the Philly Public League. Behind the Drumwrights, E&S has a good top two to work with, and will look to add some firepower to contend for a state berth. Msgr. Bonner & Abp. Prendergast was third in the district last season, and loses some strong runners its 2020 team, but the Friars should get in the mix and make a good run again this fall.