D11-AA Girls - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
- 2020 Individual Champion: Cori McCormick (North Schuylkill) - 19:41
- 2020 Team Champions: Blue Mountain - 75 points
Individuals Breakdown
Last year was the first year that Olivia Haas didn't win the District 11 Class AA district title in XC, but a week a half later, she probably didn't mind too much. That's because the Blue Mountain junior captured the state title in AA. Haas is now a senior, and she will no longer toe the line at districts with her long-time rival Cori McCormick of North Schuylkill. McCormick, the reigning D11-AA champion is off to Penn State, which will leave Haas as the big favorite in D11-AA this fall.
Haas, more importantly, will be looking to add her second straight AA XC title, and she will certainly have a good chance at accomplishing that. Haas is coming off a great spring on the track, and seems primed to chase after more glory on the trails this fall.
But there is still some good talent to go around in D11-AA this season. North Schuylkill may have lost Cori McCormick to graduation, but back for their senior seasons are Katie McCormick (4th in D11-AA last year) and Ryley Schwalm (5th in D11-AA). Schwalm missed a state medal by the slimmest of margins last year, taking 26th (but with the same finishing time as 25th), so expect her to have plenty of motivation for redemption this season.
Angelina Klein of Northwestern Lehigh, Grace Stegemerten of Tamaqua, Katelynn Bos of Jim Thorpe, and Alyssa Errico of Wilson Area are among the others girls that could make some noise this season.
Team Breakdown
Blue Mountain ran to the district title last season and now this squad will look for another title and trip to the state meet this fall. Five of its varsity runners from last year are back, led up front by Haas, who will supply the lowstick. After that, Blue Mountain will look to rely on its depth to give them a good shot at another district crown.
Of course, it won't be easy. 2020 district runners-up North Schuylkill, as well Northwestern Lehigh will make it close for the D11-AA title and the other state qualifying spot. North Schuylkill loses its top runner in McCormick from last season, but brings back the rest of its varsity team from 2020. Northwestern Lehigh, a perennial power in D11-AA also only loses one varsity girl from last year's team. This race for two spots will come down to depth, and we'll see which team can develop some talent the best this fall.