D4-A Girls - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
- 2020 Individual Champion: Kennedy Marsh (Montgomery) - 21:17
- 2020 Team Champions: Wyalusing Valley Area - 38 points
Individuals Breakdown
Two freshmen lead the charge of returners in District 4 Class A this season. Southern Columbia's Kate Moncavage and Northeast Bradford's Melanie Shumway placed second and third, respectively, at the district meet last season, and then a week later at the state meet, the pair were side-by-side again. Shumway got the slight advantage to take 45th in the state, while Moncavage was just behind in 46th.
Those two will be the favorites, but there is a good batch of returners to watch for this fall. Southern Columbia's Annabelle Reck was fourth at districts and 89th at the state meet. Wyalusing Valley's Kayla Beebe was seventh in the district and 64th at states. Both girls are capable at making a run at the top spot in D4-A.
Southern Columbia's Heather Cecco, Troy's Julia Colton and Lilly Depew, and South Williamsport's Charlotte Barckley are among the other girls to watch out for this season.
Team Preview
The race for the district team title will be a wide open race this fall in D4-A. There are a number of teams that should figure into the mix, with teams needed to add some depth to make it happen. The district gets two team state qualifying spots this season, up from just one last year, which had reduced numbers due to the pandemic.
Wyalusing Valley Area has won two straight district titles. It loses a trio of strong senior girls, but brings back some strong runners, led by Beebe. If WVA wants a shot at three straight district titles, or a spot in the top two, it will need to add some depth to compete.
Southern Columbia Area, second last year, and returns a really good trio of girls with Moncavage, Reck, and Cecco. But like Wyalusing, SCA will need to add some depth and numbers to compete for a top two spot. The top three is a good starting spot, though.
Troy is certainly a team that can't be counted out, with a good group of returners back this season after a third place district finish last season. Ultimately, depth is the name of the game in the team XC game, and these teams will look to solidify those rosters across the fall to make a run at the state meet.