Aaron Rich contributed to this article
Yes, it's a crowd for both team and individual honors this season. 
If there ever was a pick-em season, this is it both from a team and individual standpoint. As Strath Haven coach Bill Coren points out, 12 of the top 16 returning teams have four or more of their top six runners back, and two, Cumberland Valley and Hazleton return all of their top siix. And more than 80% of the top 32 individuals are back. There will be early indications on how the season will go, but States looks to be more of a nailbiter than usual.
Allentown Central Catholic, as usual,
doesn't have to look outside their league
to find state-contending competition...
but they will.
The hunt for the team title is led by Allentown Central Catholic, as they are ranked #10 in the Northeast preseason Nike Team Nationals poll. The Vikettes are led by senior Marcie Sobrinski, who was 18th last year, and they return 6 runners from that talented squad. The five seniors will surely be focused on achieving their potential. They'll get an early test from several other contending teams at the Sept 10th Gettysburg Invitational, including Cumberland Valley, Chambersburg and Cedar Cliff. Chambersburg was 6th last year, and returns 4 runners, including junior Sarah Morrison, 12th last year, and junior Brooke Jacobs, 32nd. Morrison broke five minutes for 1600 meters in the spring, so look for big things from this team leader. Just as with many girls teams, incoming freshman can make an immediate impact, and Chambersburg is no exception. Others that we know of with that frosh-flash potential include Northern, getting another Wong sister, Cumberland Valley, Downingtown West, and Upper Dublin.
Cumberland Valley returns all 7 runners from last years 9th place team. They are led by juniors Abby Huber and Paige Anderson. Huber was 10th last year and Anderson was 45th.
The top-3 teams from last year were Unionville, Parkland, and West Chester Henderson, and all 3 will be looking for a return trip to the top-5 in 2005. Unionville returns 4 runners and is led by sophomore Christine Smith, 23rd last year, but they lose their state champ and team leader, Katie Thaeder. Parkland returns 4 runners and is led by senior Erin Roberts, 2nd last year. Parkland had lots of JV depth, and in a tradition-rich program like theirs, that could lead to continued success. West Chester Henderson returns 5 runners and is led by senior Megan Durkee, 44th in 2004. Henderson's strength is their pack, which if they reach their goal of a 30 second or less spread, will be in most team races. Their league also switched to tri-meets, reducing those races to three, giving them much more of an opportunity to train, rather than race.
Consistent XC scorer and two-time anchor
on the state champ 4x800 Caitlin Klaas is gone,
but virtually everyone else is back, including Kerry Swayne,
who was 9th as a sophomore in 2004.
Don't be surprised to see Hatboro-Horsham in the hunt for the team title. After an off-year in 2004, the 2003 state champs only lose one of their top six, and are coming off a great return in 2005 as the 4x800 state champs. This team is another where tradition is a way of life. Three of the top four also ran top four on the state championship team. Experience counts.
Another team that should be looking to the top-5 is North Allegheny, who return 6 runners including senior Kelley O'Brien, 26th in 2004. Other teams receiving mentions by more than one coach from around the state include Strath Haven, Radnor, Cedar Cliff, Easton, Conestoga, Hazleton and Council Rock North.
Other direct head-to-head races include Henderson and Gwynedd-Mercy at the Sept 10 Abington Invitatonal; Chambersburg, Cumberland Valley and Parkland at the Sept 24 Carlisle Invitational; Cumberland Valley and Gwynedd at the 10/1 Paul Short Run; Chambersburg and Parkland on the same day at the Steel City Invitational. Henderson could show at either Paul Short or Steel City. Allentown Central Catholic remains undecided for 9/24 and 10/1.
If there is a favorite, Parkland's Erin Roberts
was 2nd in 2004 and races well every time it counts. 
In the individual race, 15 runners from last years top-20 return. This deep group is led by senior Erin Roberts, Parkland, 2nd; and Kaycee Shaffer, West Allegheny, 3rd. Others from the top-20 are sophomore Katie Meck, Northern York, 6th; senior Lindsey Scheller, Shikellamy, 8th; junior Kerry Swayne, Hatboro Horsham, 9th; junior Abby Huber, Cumberland Valley, 10th;, senior Maranie Staab, Penn Trafford, 11th; junior Sarah Morrison, Chambersburg, 12th (along with landing the outdoor 1600 championship in 4:59.36); senior Kristin Reed, Upper Perkiomen, 13th (7th in the outdoor 1600 in 5:06.40); senior Elizabeth Brickley, Greater Latrobe, 14th; junior Marie Lamparter, Carlisle, 15th; junior Allison Sikora, Council Rock North, 16th (12th in the outdoor 3200 in 11:12.42); junior Alycia Woodruff, West Chester East, 17th last year (11th in the outdoor 3200 in 11:08.94); and junior Justine Jeroski, Franklin Regional, 19th in 2004.
Sophomore Sam MacMillan, Hershey, 7th last year, and 2nd in the outdoor 1600 in 4:59.63, has moved to Utah, where we're sure she'll find plenty of quality competition.
Two other runners who should be looking at a top-10 finish are juniors Lara Crofford, Big Spring, and Paige Anderson, Cumberland Valley. Crofford was 42nd last year, and then placed 6th in the outdoor 3200 in 11:01.04. Anderson was 45th, and then placed 7th in the outdoor 3200 in 11:03.65.
TOP ELEVEN TEAMS, TOP 50 INDIVIDUALS FROM 2004
And West Allegheny's Kaycee Shaffer
was 3rd. Her older sister won an indoor state title. 
1. Unionville (1)
1 Katie Thaeder, Sr 19:09 6:10
12 Christine Smith, Fr 19:42 6:21
20 Tara Hardy, So 20:00 6:27
23 Kat Beck, Sr 20:03 6:28
30 Kalyn McDonough, Fr 20:13 6:31
91 Danielle Ferree, Fr 21:21 6:53
98 Samantha Schneider, Sr 21:31 6:56
Time = 1:39:05 Places = 86
2. Parkland (11)
2 Erin Roberts, Jr 19:11 6:11
22 Katie Stepp, Sr 20:03 6:28
32 Emma Stanley, Sr 20:14 6:32
65 Kristin Knouse, Jr 21:01 6:47
76 Jess Eberly, Fr 21:09 6:49
97 Danielle Werley, So 21:29 6:56
114 Chloe Costigan-Humes, Sr 21:47 7:02
Time = 1:41:36 Places = 197
3. W Chester Henderson 1
24 Marissa Murtaugh, Sr 20:03 6:28
25 Megan Durkee, Jr 20:04 6:28
44 Karen Farkas, So 20:43 6:41
54 Danielle Tuccio, Sr 20:56 6:45
59 Jackie Merrick, So 20:58 6:46
80 Julie Matthews, Jr 21:15 6:51
135 Ragen Rinkis, So 22:23 7:13
Time = 1:42:42 Places = 206
4. Allentown C C (11)
18 Marcie Sobrinski, Jr 19:55 6:25
28 Maureen Watson, Jr 20:09 6:30
34 Meghan Burns, Jr 20:19 6:33
45 Heather Gribb, Jr 20:44 6:41
88 Colleen O'Neill, Sr 21:20 6:53
134 Kathryn Markowitz, Jr 22:20 7:12
142 Alyssa Wert, So 22:33 7:16
Time = 1:42:26 Places = 213
5. Cedar Cliff (3)
10 Janelle Young, Sr 19:37 6:20
43 Caitlin Wood, Sr 20:42 6:41
55 Kassandra Meholick, So 20:57 6:45
62 Jessica Shuman, Jr 20:59 6:46
67 Lauren Tucci, Jr 21:02 6:47
72 Katherine Topalian, Sr 21:05 6:48
86 Melanie Sponseller, Fr 21:18 6:52
Time = 1:43:15 Places = 237
6. Chambersburg (3)
8 Sarah Morrison, So 19:33 6:18
19 Brooke Jacobs, So 19:56 6:26
53 Samantha Jones, Sr 20:54 6:44
85 Regina Heiser, Sr 21:17 6:52
92 Sarah Osterman, Jr 21:23 6:54
95 Ali Lambert, Fr 21:26 6:55
147 Jen Wetzel, Sr 22:49 7:22
Time = 1:43:00 Places = 257
7. North Allegheny (7)
15 Kelley O'Brien, Jr 19:46 6:23
35 Michelle Diez, Jr 20:23 6:34
56 Lindsay Schmiedel, Sr 20:57 6:45
71 Mia Ficerai, So 21:05 6:48
82 Jackie Sokulski, Fr 21:16 6:51
101 Laura Ochs, Fr 21:35 6:58
120 Sarah Ledonne, Jr 22:03 7:07
Time = 1:43:25 Places = 259
8. Mt. Lebanon (7)
27 Katie Hrebinko, So 20:08 6:30
41 Bella Smiga, Jr 20:35 6:38
48 Jessie Winschel, Sr 20:47 6:42
68 Kristen Connelly, Fr 21:03 6:47
83 Carlie Latus, Sr 21:16 6:51
87 Hannah Sholder, Sr 21:19 6:53
89 Melissa Shaw, So 21:21 6:53
Time = 1:43:47 Places = 267
9. Cumberland Valley (3)
6 Abby Huber, So 19:30 6:17
26 Paige Anderson, So 20:05 6:29
69 Samantha Fickel, So 21:04 6:48
81 Jaime Hillman, So 21:15 6:51
99 Sarah Frenette, Jr 21:33 6:57
102 Liz Hill, So 21:35 6:58
154 Emily Harlan, Fr 23:26 7:33
Time = 1:43:26 Places = 281
10. Hazleton Area (2)
11 Brenae Edwards, So 19:42 6:21
14 Maria Monks, Jr 19:45 6:22
29 Amanda Radishofski, So 20:11 6:31
108 Noelle Andrasi, Jr 21:39 6:59
129 Marissa Dudeck, Fr 22:15 7:10
144 Ashley Carsia, Jr 22:41 7:19
157 Tara Swett, So 23:43 7:39
Time = 1:43:30 Places = 291
11. Hatboro Horsham (1)
5 Kerry Swayne, So 19:29 6:17
49 Theresa Gould, Jr 20:49 6:43
60 Sarah Baker, So 20:59 6:46
75 Brittany Sullivan, So 21:07 6:49
106 Caitlin Klass, Sr 21:37 6:58
110 Laura Staples, Fr 21:40 6:59
128 Casey Rowley, Sr 22:14 7:10
Time = 1:44:00 Places = 295
TEAM
PLACE SCORE FINISHER TIME PACE TEAM
1 1 Katie Thaeder, Sr 19:09 6:10 Unionville (1)
2 2 Erin Roberts, Jr 19:11 6:11 Parkland (11)
3 Kaycee Shaffer, Jr 19:17 6:13 West Allegheny (7)
4 Annie Wilson, Sr 19:18 6:13 Wissahickon (1)
5 Andrea Florida, Sr 19:21 6:14 Muhlenberg (3)
6 3 Katie Meck, Fr 19:23 6:15 Northern York (3)
7 4 Sam Macmillan, Fr 19:23 6:15 Hershey (3)
8 Lindsey Scheller, Jr 19:29 6:17 Shikellamy (4)
9 5 Kerry Swayne, So 19:29 6:17 Hatboro Horsham (1)
10 6 Abby Huber, So 19:30 6:17 Cumberland Valley (3)
11 7 Maranie Staab, Jr 19:31 6:17 Penn Trafford (7)
12 8 Sarah Morrison, So 19:33 6:18 Chambersburg (3)
13 Kristina Reed, Jr 19:34 6:19 Upper Perkiomen (1)
14 Elizabeth Brickley, Jr 19:34 6:19 Greater Latrobe (7)
15 Marie Lamparter, So 19:35 6:19 Carlisle (3)
16 9 Layson Sikora, So 19:35 6:19 Council Rock N (1)
17 Alycia Woodruff, So 19:35 6:19 West Chester East (1)
18 Joanna Horstmann, Sr 19:36 6:19 Downingtown West (1)
19 Justine Jeroski, So 19:37 6:19 Franklin Regional (7)
20 10 Janelle Young, Sr 19:37 6:20 Cedar Cliff (3)
21 Darcy McDonald, Sr 19:38 6:20 Warwick (3)
22 11 Brenae Edwards, So 19:42 6:21 Hazleton Area (2)
23 12 Christine Smith, Fr 19:42 6:21 Unionville (1)
24 13 Diane Filtz, So 19:45 6:22 Penn Trafford (7)
25 14 Maria Monks, Jr 19:45 6:22 Hazleton Area (2)
26 15 Kelley O'Brien, Jr 19:46 6:23 North Allegheny (7)
27 16 Molly Goldcamp, So 19:49 6:23 Oakland Catholic (7)
28 Lexa Gass, Jr 19:49 6:23 Moon (7)
29 Natalie Ginnerty, So 19:52 6:24 Marple Newtown (1)
30 17 Heather Calisto, So 19:54 6:25 Upper Dublin (1)
31 18 Marcie Sobrinski, Jr 19:55 6:25 Allentown C C (11)
32 19 Brooke Jacobs, So 19:56 6:26 Chambersburg (3)
33 Julia Somers, Sr 19:58 6:26 Haverford (1)
34 Jessica Hunter, Jr 19:58 6:26 Wallenpaupack Area (2
35 Sarah Grossi, So 19:59 6:27 Canon-McMillan (7)
36 20 Tara Hardy, So 20:00 6:27 Unionville (1)
37 Laura Blaesser, Jr 20:01 6:27 Oxford (1)
38 21 Katharine Ward, So 20:02 6:27 State College (6)
39 22 Katie Stepp, Sr 20:03 6:28 Parkland (11)
40 Serita Lachesis, Sr 20:03 6:28 Wissahickon (1)
41 23 Kat Beck, Sr 20:03 6:28 Unionville (1)
42 Lara Crofford, So 20:03 6:28 Big Spring (3)
43 24 Marissa Murtaugh, Sr 20:03 6:28 W Chester Henderson 1
44 25 Megan Durkee, Jr 20:04 6:28 W Chester Henderson 1
45 26 Paige Anderson, So 20:05 6:29 Cumberland Valley (3)
46 Angela Borealo, Jr 20:08 6:29 Easton (11)
47 27 Katie Hrebinko, So 20:08 6:30 Mt. Lebanon (7)
48 28 Maureen Watson, Jr 20:09 6:30 Allentown C C (11)
49 Hannah Kligman, So 20:10 6:30 Conestoga (1)
50 Andrea Fischione, So 20:11 6:30 Franklin Regional (7)