Class A Girls Individuals Preview - PIAA State Championships
The past couple of years have brought a very wide open competition for the individual state title in girls' Class A, and this year will be no different. There will be a number of girls fighting it out for the top spot this season in the state meet's first race of the day.
So who are the top contenders? Elk Lake's Krista Jones is a good bet. She won the White (1A) race at the PIAA Foundation Invitational on the Hershey course in late September, outlasting some top Class A talent. The senior is experienced, having medaled twice at the state meet. She was fourth two years ago, and fresh off a hard-fought District 2 title last week, she could be the one to beat this time around.
But it should be close up front. A number of other district champions should be right in the mix. Penns Valley senior Anna Stitzer was 23rd a year ago, and has been on a roll the last month-plus. She was third at Foundation after taking the race out hard. She won the District 6 crown last week over Portage's Lauren Shaffer -- a good sign that she's running her best at the right time. Shaffer is another girl that will be a factor. Also a senior, Shaffer has lots of experience on this course, too, and won't back down from a challenge up front.
Emma Mason of Wilmington conquered some rough conditions to win the District 10 title last week in a deep Class A district. She has won her last three races and has a ton of momentum heading into Saturday and should be a factor with the other favorites. Two freshmen -- Karis McElhaney of Jamestown and Allie Gladitz of Seneca -- were second and third, respectively, in D10 this past weekend, and should be ones to watch, too. McElhaney's teammate Claire Anderson is another girl that should be right up there; she's had a great season up to this point.
Running well at the right time is Corinn Brewer of Greensburg Central Catholic. The senior claimed the WPIAL title this past week, and is no stranger to competing at the state meet. She was third two years ago, and her district title shows that she could be in line for another big race at Hershey this year. Brewer held off Northgate's Lydia Valeriano, OSLH's Audrey Wrabley, and Avonworth's Lindsey Hartle for the win last week, but each of those girls will be factors again this week at Parkview.
D2 is strong after Jones. Forest City freshman Kate Korty has made quite the impact in her first high school season. She was second to Jones at the district meet. Her teammate Rachel Korty and Riverside's Lacey Danilovitz (sixth at states last year) are ones that could threaten the top five. The same goes for Mountain View's Carissa Flynn, who was fourth at the state meet last year. Southern Columbia's Kate Moncavage won the District 4 crown last week, and it wasn't her first big run of the season. The sophomore hasn't had an off race all season, and she's another one to watch for here. Chestnut Ridge's Ava Whysong was ninth last year, and the District 5 champion is having another solid season. She ran a PR of 19:39 a few weeks ago and looks to be in a good spot to chase a high finish again this year.
Smethport Area's Jenna Gregory has been the model of consistency this year, leading up to and including her win at the District 9 Championships. Eighth in 2020, she has a chance to move up into top five territory at the state meet this year. Two-time District 3 champion Braetan Peters has been strong this fall, too, and should make a run at a good race on Saturday after taking 21st last year. Olivia Schweitzer of Notre Dame Green Pond had a major breakthrough race to win the District 11 crown last week, outkicking Tri-Valley's Samantha Masser for the win there. Schweitzer will aim to keep the momentum rolling, while Masser will still be a factor at the state meet after taking 17th last year.
It remains to see how this race will go out. The Class A race doesn't usually see much of a pack through the first mile, but that could change this time around with such a wide open field. There are no shortage of contenders, and it's going to create for a drama-filled first race of the day to open things up on a busy Saturday.