It was a great race. But the Archbishop Wood girls had far more on their minds than just a race.
Each year, PennTrackXC asks several of the top returning harriers to share their summer experiences, talk a bit about last year, and to share their goals and dreams for the 2013 cross country season. Enjoy...
Four of the top five girls teams in the inaugural 2012 Class A state championship meet return squads that can duplicate or improve their respective finishes. Elk Lake enters the 2013 season with their top three finishers from last year's state championship winning team. Individually, fifteen of the top 25 from the 2012 state meet return, including the champion Kennedy Weisner. For the boys, ut of the 25 medalists from last year's state championship race, seventeen of them were seniors, which makes 2013 in Class A a chance to create some new stars. Individually, the returners list is very small.
The realigned AA girls race last year was decided by 3 points. Despite a Regan Rome fall, she still scored 1 team point for the Dallas squad. But they were beaten out in the end by an up and coming Palmyra team by 3 points. Individually, Regan Rome of Dallas returns as the favorite to get her first cross country state title. Defending champions Pottsgrove will have a different look after graduating their top runners from their 96-99 win in the state final last year. However, they still return four of their top seven from a group that had the best 1-5 spread in the division and didn't have a single runner earn an individual medal. Individually, the top ten and 14 of the top 15 finishers in 2012 have moved on to college running.
Unionville, behind defending state champ Courtney Smith, were the frontrunners for the 2012 season leading into the state championship final, only for Pennsbury to put together their best performance of the season and clinch their 3rd straight state title. After North Penn defeated Cardinal O'Hara for the 2011 AAA state title via tiebreaker, everyone believed that there was no way that could happen again. Despite a better performance from the whole squad in the 2012 final, a 69-69 score line still kept O'Hara from winning their first state title. West Chester Henderson was the team who snagged the victory in a classic championship race behind the 1-2 punch of state champ Tony Russell and teammate Reiny Barchet.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published on either Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Unionville senior Courtney Smith entered her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships. Smith led her team to a qualifying spot and trip to NXN after winning the Northeast Regional. But in the first 1000 meters in Portland, she fell and was spiked. She recovered for 10th. Then during indoor, and despite an injury, Smith captured 3rd in an incredible 3000 at PTFCA Indoor States, and anchored her DMR to a state title. Two weeks later, she anchored that DMR to a 6th place finish in the New Balance Nationals Indoor champs in a time ten seconds better than their state title... and anchored the 4xmile the next day to a 3rd place finish - both earning all-American recognition. But the injury endured. She went through PT, and returned to racing at the Henderson Invitational on May 2nd. Beyond happy to be back.
Elk County Catholic senior Kennedy Weisner enters her final year of XC with a champion's resume. Her best year to date was last year as a junior when she won her first state cross country title - this one in the inaugural Class A Championship. Weisner also qualified for her first Foot Locker Nationals. During indoor, she was invited to her first Millrose Mile, and also to the Brooks PR meet, an elite gathering in the Northwest. She came back in outdoor to capture two state AA titles, winning the 800 and the 1600 - a very tough double. She began her final XC season at PTXC-5, setting a course record of 17:49.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published on either Wednesdays or Thursdays.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published on either Wednesdays or Thursdays.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published on either Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Dallas senior Regan Rome has had a remarkable career at Dallas in her first three years. Rome has been a medalist each of her first three years in XC, twice in AAA and in 2012 taking 3rd - leading her team to the podium in 2nd by just three points in AA. She is a three-time defending champ in Distirct 2 (2x AAA,1x AA); and capped off 2012 with a 4th place finish at Foot Locker Northeast, finishing 19th in San Diego, just seven seconds from all-American. And Rome is a three time medalist in AAA in the 3200 in the PIAA champs, plus a two time medalist in the 3k at the PTFCA Indoor Champs, taking 3rd in 2013 in 9:53.59 as Tessa Barrett and Courtney Smith both bettered the state record.
Abington Heights senior Tessa Barrett qualified for states in XC as a freshman and sophomore, and after an eye-opening 17:58 at the 2012 Tennett Invitatonal, she looked destined to challange for a state AAA title. But a mud-fest at the District 2 meet led to an injury, and the opportunity was lost. She bounced back in indoor with a solo 10:02 3k in February. Her 3000 at PTFCA champs was an epic battle with Courtney Smith and Regan Rome - one she ultimately won in a state record 9:47.73. She would go on to take 4th at the Penn Relays 3000 in 9:40, and then 2nd (to Smith) in another battle at outdoor states, going 10:25 for 3200 meters. This year she opened with a stunning 17:26 at Cliff Robbins, and then not only won the Gold Race at PIAA Foundation, but set the course record for the Poop-Out Hill layout in 17:48. And then she followed in the recent spike-prints of Neely Spence and Angel Piccirillo, winning the Foot Locker Northeast Regional.
There were signs that Aislinn Devlin was the next in line, that she was ready to follow in her brother's footsteps, or at least show glimpses early on.
Talkin's XC is a quick Q&A with top PA runners, and includes Striders... some of their favorites things you'll find very interesting.
As one of the most accomplished distance runners in area history, competing at the next level always seemed to be a mere formality for Tessa Barrett. (via thetimes-tribune.com)
During the past year, many of the top distance runners in Pennsylvania tried – with little success – to break up Fox Chapel Area’s front-running tandem of Colin and Ethan Martin.
Comprehensive coverage of the PIAA District Meets... where PennTrackXC is onsite at ten of the twelve. We couid use a photo or two or even a photo gallery from District 5 and from District 9.
It might not be up there just yet with death and taxes, but a North Allegheny victory in the Class AAA boys’ race at the WPIAL championship meet is getting close to being a certainty. The same may be said for Brianna Schwartz of Shaler when racing at Cooper's Lake.
Unionville senior Courtney Smith entered her third year of XC with a resume that has been growing season-to-season. As a sophomore, she was 4th in AAA at Hershey. Then last year, she won her first state title, setting a meet and course record. In the winter, she broke the state record in the 3000 meter run, but had to settle for 2nd place. She more than made up for it by twice outsprinting the same competitor, first for 3rd place in the Girls 3000 Invitational at the Penn Relays, and then in the finals of the AAA 3200 meter run at the PIAA State Championships. Smith led her team to a qualifying spot and trip to NXN after winning the Northeast Regional. But in the first 1000 meters in Portland, she fell and was spiked. She recovered for 10th. Then during indoor, and despite an injury, Smith captured 3rd in an incredible 3000 at PTFCA Indoor States, and anchored her DMR to a state title. Two weeks later, she anchored that DMR to a 6th place finish in the New Balance Nationals Indoor champs in a time ten seconds better than their state title... and anchored the 4xmile the next day to a 3rd place finish - both earning all-American recognition. But the injury endured. She went through PT, and returned to racing at the Henderson Invitational on May 2nd. Beyond happy to be back.
After the pressure of having to excel at the district championships to qualify for states, Saturday’s PIAA meet is a reward of sorts for Bucks-Mont cross-country runners and teams. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
In pursuit of what would have been the school’s first-ever state qualifying berth for its girls’ team, Grove City Area showed as much resolve, commitment and dedication on the last Saturday morning in October as most coaches hope to get from their teams during an entire season.
Year No. 2 of three classifications for cross country might be as historic as the one that ushered in the new era last year. The key figure - Elk County Catholic senior Kennedy Weisner.
Last season, 3 points are all that separated the AA team champions and their challengers. Those champions have earned the right to defend those championships. The competition chasing them is fierce and repeating will be difficult.
While the seasons change, sometimes the stories just stay the same. Unionville heads into the PIAA Class AAA state cross country championships as the team favorite, but how on earth can you discount three-time state champion Pennsbury? Individually, Harvard commit Courtney Smith enters as the returning champion and leading contender. But she has company this year.
The boys’ AA race was hit hard by graduation as the top four, eight of the top 10 and 16 of the top 20 were in the Class of 2013.
Defending champions Pottsgrove overcame some tough odds to have the chance to return to the state championship meet and defend their title. They face District 1 rival Holy Ghost Prep. But District 2, 7 and 10 teams will have a say as well.
The top four teams from last year's PIAA Class AAA boys' championship return for another round at Hershey, including last year's top dog, West Chester Henderson. In the individual race, nine seniors from the top 15 graduated from 2012, so a bevy of new faces will ultimately reveal themselves on Saturday.
We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published late in the week, or earlier if meet schedules dictate.
Dallas senior Regan Rome has had a remarkable career at Dallas in her first three years. Rome has been a medalist each of her first three years in XC, twice in AAA and in 2012 taking 3rd - leading her team to the podium in 2nd by just three points in AA. She is a three-time defending champ in Distirct 2 (2x AAA,1x AA); and capped off 2012 with a 4th place finish at Foot Locker Northeast, finishing 19th in San Diego, just seven seconds from all-American. And Rome is a three time medalist in AAA in the 3200 in the PIAA champs, plus a two time medalist in the 3k at the PTFCA Indoor Champs, taking 3rd in 2013 in 9:53.59 as Tessa Barrett and Courtney Smith both bettered the state record.