Class AAA Boys Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
The last race of the day isn't likely to be a letdown on Saturday. The team race in AAA is going to be a big one, and it's one you're not going to want to miss.
The two favorites hail from different sides of the state, and have yet to square off since this meet last season. Coming from the west is North Allegheny. The defending champions are looking to win their third AAA team title in four years. The top squad from the east is LaSalle College. The Explorers hope to win their first state crown since 2018.
North Allegheny peaked at the right time last year to run away with the state title, and the reigning champs return a lot of boys from last year's title tea. Despite that, the freshman Bertram has led the way for the Tigers. NA won at Red, White & Blue, Boardman (against some top Ohio competition), Foundation, TSTCAs, and WPIALs for an undefeated season so far. This team has had a slim 1-5 spread all season long, and with a mix of youth and experience, a second straight state title is certainly within range. The status of Nalepa remains unknown, and he'll be a crucial cog in the NA machine for Saturday.
LaSalle, meanwhile, will look to return to the top of PA after placing second in AAA each of the last two years dating back to its state title win in 2018. The Explorers won at Briarwood and were third (top PA team) at the Carlisle Invite, before capturing the win in the Eastern States race at Manhattan (the first PA team to win there since Downingtown West in 2015). The PCL and District 12 champions have also had a sub-minute 1-5 gap, led by Drew Brill and Zach Brill. Expect a close between these two squads, which have been two of the most consistently strong programs in Pennsylvania over the last decade-plus.
Many other teams will be looking to get in the mix, and it's another deep year for teams in AAA boys. Among them is Hempfield, which took fourth at the state meet in 2020. The Knights won the Paul Short Run and the District 3 title, and were fourth (behind LaSalle) at the Carlisle Invite. Hempfield has some really good depth and is paced by a top individual threat in Hodge. This is a strong team that will look to bridge to gap up to NA and LaSalle. A team on the rise is Manheim Township, which placed second in District 3 to Hempfield by a single point. This team has progressed very well as the season has gone along behind its No. 1 runner Stevens, and has put itself in a spot for possibly a big performance at Hershey.
Butler was second to NA in WPIAL, and is coming together well at the right time, too. Its top three of Singleton, Griffith, and Vavro are as good a top three as you you find in the state, and that could mean big things in a smaller state meet team field. This team can't be slept on.
District 1 boasts a deep group of teams that can threaten the top three. Lower Merion has had one of the best packs throughout the season, and the Aces showed that off, winning the District 1 title last week in a competitive and huge race at Lehigh. The Aces, led by Alex Bullard and Sarem Kahn, were third at both Paul Short and Foundation. Not far off LM in District 1 was Downingtown East. The Cougars were second to NA at Foundation and fourth at Paul Short before taking second in the district. This is a strong team with a pair of solid lowsticks in Leen and Flynn.
Central Bucks West was third in District 1 and is clicking at the right time, which should make them a factor for a high finish. Methacton, Haverford Township, and Owen J. Roberts round out a solid D1 contingent that is always a threat to get inside the top eight or better at the state meet with a good day.
State College Area ran away with the District 6 crown once again, and after placing fifth last year. This team always seems to peak well and should be a factor. York Suburban, Hershey, Fox Chapel Area, and District 8/9/10 Sub-Regional champs Taylor Allderdice are other teams to keep an eye on in this very strong AAA group of teams.