Above: Tyler Rader at last year's PIAA State XC Championship - He returns as one of the top rising seniors.
Photo by Phil Grove
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The Class of 2024 features some of the best boys in the nation - so the battle on the state level could be one for the history books, yet again.
Last year we saw a duel of two titans - as Brian DiCola and Drew Griffith clashed on the state course. What could we see this year?
Below you'll find our top 10 Senior Boys to Watch for the 2023 Cross Country season. Please note that these are not rankings - and should not be viewed as such.
Honorable Mentions: Cole Casadei (LaSalle), Gunner Geib (Manheim Township), Nick Steinfeldt (Downingtown East), Zack Zerbe (Governor Mifflin), Luke Bodden (Radnor), Patrick Burgos (Elizabeth Forward), Caleb Prettyman (Franklin), Hayden Parks (Greencastle-Antrim), Connor Britton (Avon Grove).
10. Brian McCormack
Scranton
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McCormack is one of the most intriguing characters entering the season.
From 2022 to 2023, he brought his 3200m personal best from 10:04 to 9:19, culminating with a 14th place finish at the PIAA Outdoor State 3A Championship. His success and improvement last cross country season was comparable.
He ran 15:37 at Paul Short last year, and after winning the District 2 Championship he placed 33rd at States (3A), as the 10th Junior in the field.
He has sporty PRs across the board and could very well contend for a Top Five at the PIAA Championships later this year.
9. Kevin Sherry
Coudersport
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Sherry will be in the running for a 1A State Title before all is said and done.
He finished fourth at last year's state championship, after riding a five race win-streak. He sports a personal best of 15:54 and will likely compete with Tyler Rader for the coveted first stick.
Shery's times aren't out of this world, but he is a skilled racer, and knows how to put himself in a position to win. He finished eighth at the 2A PIAA T&F Championship in the 3200m with a swift 9:23, and then finished 10th in the 1600m with a 4:22 effort.
8. Ian Johnson
Perkiomen Valley
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We're going to be saying this name a lot.
Ian Johnson has admittedly flown under the radar - but his accomplishments last season were definitely of note. He had a breakout indoor and outdoor track campaign.
He ran a 8:43 Indoor 3000m (on a flat 200m might I add) before running 9:12 over 3200m this outdoor season to place 10th at the PIAA 3A State Final. He also recorded a personal best of 4:16 to finish 17th in the 1600m final.
7. Dale Hall
Hampton
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I mean, how could you not be a little curious about what Dale Hall may accomplish this season?
He shocked the PA Track and Field world with his win in the 1600m final at states in May, and left us wondering what he may have in store this cross country season.
He ran 4:08 this year.
You don't run 4:08 without having some serious strength and base under your belt. He proved that when he ran a 9:08 3200m at the Butler Invitational. He finished 14th at last year's 2A State Cross Country final - and we hate to jump to conclusions, but he could compete for the victory this year.
6. Ari Snyder
Chambersburg
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Last year Ari Snyder was one of cross country's most consistent runners. Though he didn't break 16, he consistently ran in the low 16s. He finished 14th at the PIAA 3A State Final - peaking when it mattered most.
He cemented his status as a contender by running 15:37 on the track (5k) and maintaining his consistency yet again. He finished 15th in the Outdoor State 3200m final and added a 4:24 1600m personal best.
Snyder is one of those boys who seems to get better over distance. He may not have a Hall of Fame resume quite yet, but we're watching for him to break through and snag several Invitational wins this year.
5. Tyler Rader
Huntingdon Area
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Rader was last year's 1A runner-up. He has a great chance to earn his first State title this season. He ran a limited schedule last year but was strong when it mattered. He won the District 6 Championship before going toe-to-toe with Thomas Smigo in Hershey.
This Outdoor season he finished seventh in the 2A PIAA State 3200m Championship (9:21) and eighth in the 1600m Championship (4:20).
He is well positioned to compete for the State Championship, but will need to hold off fellow senior Kevin Sherry who was a contender last year.
4. Michael Woolery
Episcopal Academy
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The only PAISAA athlete to make this list will have a lot of eyeballs on him and his team this year.
Woolery is expected to lead a stout Episcopal Academy squad, but on the individual level he could score marquee finishes as well. He finished fourth in his race at Paul Short last year, running a blistering 15:29 5K.
That time ranks fourth amongst all returners. If he is in the top race this year, he has a strong chance of breaking 15.
On the track, he won the PTFCA Indoor State 800m Championship (1:52.83), before running 1:51.54 (800m), 4:16 (1600m), and 9:28 (3200m) this outdoor season.
3. Colin Whitaker
Lampeter-Strasburg
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If anyone is going to challenge Ryan Pajak for the 2A State Title, it's going to be Colin Whitaker.
Whitaker is quick. He holds a 15:04 XC 5K personal best, and could very well snap the 15 minute barrier this fall. Throughout the 2022 season, Whitaker was a contender in every race he competed. He won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship and District 3 Championship (2A) before finishing 4th at the State Championship meet. He ran about 13-seconds off of his course best, and had he run the 16:05 that he ran at the PIAA Foundation Invitational, he would've placed as the runner-up.
He then went on to finish eighth at the Champs Northeast Region before competing at Nationals.He sports several impressive personal bests including a 9:00 3200m best and a 4:12 1600m PR.
He'll be in the mix before all is said and done.
2. Ryan Pajak
Ringgold
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Entering the season, Ryan Pajak is the favorite to win his first state championship in the form of a 2A win.
Pajak has been knocking on the door of a state title, and finished runner-up in three separate State Championship races last year. By the end of the 2022-23 school year, Pajak began inserting his name into the national conversation.
He finished 12th at Champs National Cross Country Championships, and 9th in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Mile Championship this June. His personal bests rival that of Drew Griffith, and we could see a few battles between the two throughout the season if their invitational schedule line up.
1. Drew Griffith
Butler
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It should be of no surprise that he stands first on this list. Griffith was nothing short of exceptional in his Junior Year. He was the 3A Runner-Up in 2022 (XC) but went toe-to-toe with Brian DiCola, one of the best in state history.
He has now scored back-to-back runner-up finishes at the State Cross Country Championship, and won last year's Champs Northeast Regional before finishing eighth at Champs National Cross Country Championships.
His personal bests of 14:49 (XC 5K), 8:48 (2 Mile) and 4:07 (1 Mile) are amongst some of the best times in state history.
Griffith is an incredibly fluid runner with impeccable form and strength. His racecraft only continues to improve and he stands a good chance to dominate throughout the cross country season.
Above: Tyler Rader at last year's PIAA State XC Championship - He returns as one of the top rising seniors.
Photo by Phil Grove
---
The Class of 2024 features some of the best boys in the nation - so the battle on the state level could be one for the history books, yet again.
Last year we saw a duel of two titans - as Brian DiCola and Drew Griffith clashed on the state course. What could we see this year?
Below you'll find our top 10 Senior Boys to Watch for the 2023 Cross Country season. Please note that these are not rankings - and should not be viewed as such.