Cory Mulll feature stories from the 2013 PIAA Cross Country Championships in Hershey
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
With the skyline of Pittsburgh looking over their shoulder, Obama Academy’s Elena Woodworth and Carrick’s Zackary Wierzchowski decided it was a good time to sneak a peek back at their competition.
Marissa Sheva is a determined optimist. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
It was a great race. But the Archbishop Wood girls had far more on their minds than just a race.
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.
Shaler Area’s Brianna Schwartz and Fox Chapel Area’s Ethan Martin warmed up for next week’s district competition by taking individual gold at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association championship meet on a rainy, muddy layout at Cooper’s Lake. Fox Chapel's Ethan Martin needed an all-out sprint over the final 200 meters to catch and slip past Grove City’s Aaron Benka for the victory.
US#2 Unionville Girls and US#8 West Chester Henderson boys captured team titles at the Ches-Mont Champs. Unionville's Courtney Smith and West Chester East's Chris Cummings were individual titleists.
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)
No matter how fast they run week to week, or how high they sit in the state or regional rankings, Downingtown West is very aware of the overall picture. Results are only as good as their next race.
As difficult as it is to believe, another cross-country season will be completed in less than three weeks. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
The Unionville girls proved that their victory over Fayetteville-Manlius was not just a one time deal. Kennedy Weisner's star continues to rise at a rapid pace, as she won Eastern States with a #7 AT mark. Tony Russell of West Chester Henderson came away as the Eastern States champion and his team finished 4th behind 2012 NXN Northeast Regional Champions CBA and two New York squads.
Cole Nissley of Lower Dauphin edged out Carlisle's Zach Brehm. Mady Clahane cruised to yet another victory.
Welcome to the home for York College Athletics. (via www.ycpspartans.com)
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.
LOCK HAVEN — Alex Monroe (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley) of the No. (via www.lockhaven.com)
A year ago, the Archbishop Wood girls won the Philadelphia Catholic League and the District 12 Class AA title with a deep, solid group. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
(via www.delawareonline.com)
Only two Ivy League men's cross country teams were in action last week. Penn ran in the Main Line Invitational in Haverford, Pa., while Cornell competed in the Coast to Coast Battle in Beantown hosted by Boston College.
The Gannon University men’s cross country team finished up its fourth straight weekend of tough races with an eighth-place finish out of 17 teams Saturday. The race was held at the Harry F. Anderson Cross Country Invitational and was hosted by Roberts Wesleyan College. Three runners were able to earn spots in the top 40… (via The Gannon Knight)
A year ago, Hatboro-Horsham’s Casey Comber finished 15th at the Suburban One League Continental Championships and 121st at the District One meet. Formerly PhillyBurbs (via The Intelligencer)
One of the top runners in District 10, the Grove City Area senior has qualified for the state cross country and track championships despite injuries that have forced her to watch instead of race for months at a time.