Girls Team Previews

The Wissahickon girls are having a great season that continued with a District One Championship. The team has come together behind the leadership of senior Paige Miller and junior Erin Franklin.

Wissahickon girls after their Steel City victory.

Coach Michael Walker says they are, as expected, aiming as high as they can for States, after finishing third at Districts in 1999 and eighth at States. "We have the capability of winning it if they all run like they are capable of. When Paige came in as a freshman, she was the best in her class. The next year, I got three pretty good runners. At that point, we started becoming a good team. Last year was a bit of a surprise. I knew I had one good runner coming, and I got three. We knew then we could go to States. In fact, our goal last year was to win Districts." In Miller's 31 years at the helm, they have won three District T&F titles and finished second twice in States in T&F. Their best finish in XC at States has been third.

From District 3, Cumberland Valley and Chambersburg were the top two teams. Chambersburg was third in 1999. Both have experience, and have been steeled by tough competition all year. And Parkland, from District 11, is led by a freshman with a will of iron. They defeated Allentown Central Catholic, an annual power, at Lehigh last week.

The 2000 North Allegheny team, defending AAA State Champs.

But these teams, as well as the rest from around the state, will have to face the defending state champs, and a 'rebuilding' North Allegheny team which has only lost once. And that was early at the Slippery Rock Invitational in early September, to Seneca Valley. At the District 7 championship, North Allegheny placed three in the top 25 and beat Hampton by 35. But since that early loss, they have been winning ever since. A week later they beat Seneca Valley by 57 at the Northern Invite, and then again at the Tri-State Coaches' Invitational at Slippery Rock on October 23rd. They don't have a senior in the top seven. North Allegheny was third in 1997 at States. A hilly Bucknell course will seem almost flat to these western PA girls.

AA Girls Teams

Could it be the start of a dynasty in Wyomissing? Their AA girl's team won States in 1999, and not only took the girls D3 title this year, they probably would have won the AAA one too. Their 33 points were a result of taking five of the top eighteen spots. They were seventh at States in 1997.

Wyomissing is as good as most AAA teams.

Under the development plan of Tim Hetrich, the team has developed a middle school program over the past decade, and the results are now paying off. Their 1999 championship was the in school and Berks County history, after going undefeated the entire season. And this year, it appears they'll do it again. Second year assistant coach, Larry Levy says they are as good as, or better than last year. Levy says "the years to come will be even better."

In District One, Gwynedd Mercy placed five in the top 17. And in District 11, Nativity B.V.M. placed five in the top 24 to win.