In the Class "A Team"

by Jarrett Felix

I talked a decent amount about the team rankings on my first edition of the podcast, but I figure I owe you guys some official rankings in print. I broke it down by each classification this time as well. Showing all the programs some love. Pretty standard stuff.

Oh yeah and every team gets a Drake quote.

10. North Allegheny

Drake Quote: “Bow, bow, bow to me, drop down to your knees / NA the mafia that’s word to Hershey’s trees” – Moment 4 Life

Interpretation: North Allegheny has proven time and time again that they will deliver in the clutch. They’ve produced a top five team each of the last ten seasons. Sometimes you have to just trust the program. That being said, success is earned not given and these guys will need to continue to improve as a unit if they are going to shoot up the team standings.

9. Seneca Valley

Drake Quote: “The young splitters that everybody out west fear / The game needs change and we’re the fast-running cashiers” – Successful

Interpretation: Is this the year? SV topped North Allegheny in a dual meet and they are hoping to be the change in the west. At WPIALs they can topple a decade long winning streak with a big day. Also, this team is young, led by two sophomores and peppered with returners. Hence the young splitters that everybody out west fears. I just need to see one more big invite from this guys before I completely buy in. Remember, they were 3^rd at RWB.

8. Mechanicsburg

Drake Quote: “Just as a reminder to myself / I wear every single chain, even when I’m in the house” – Started From The Bottom

Interpretation: Mechanicsburg is not your traditional top 10 power and they’ve worked hard over the past few seasons to climb up the district latter. They are hopefully appreciating every medal they win and remembering all the hard work it took to get to this point. Now can they go from the bottom to the very top? Or will they bow out in an ultra-competitive district?

7. Lower Dauphin

Drake Quote: “The game ain’t always fair and that’s the thing though / You can’t play your heart out, everybody don’t get a ring though” – Made

Interpretation: Lower Dauphin has put on some gutsy performances over the past two seasons. They’ve qualified three individuals for states both years. But they haven’t had the opportunity to go to states. This year, even with all their talent out front, it could potentially happen again. Even if they run their hearts out.

6. Hempfield

Drake Quote: “I’m living life right now man / And this what I’m do ‘til it’s over, ‘til it’s over / But it’s far from over” – Over

Interpretation: Hempfield should be pretty pleased with themselves. They’ve won back to back district 3 titles. They just finished as PA’s top team at the Paul Short Invite for the second straight year. They have a dynamic top 3, a great #4 and a competitive battle for #5. And honestly, their dreams of a 3^rd straight title are from over. On the right day, they have a shot at Carlisle if everything comes together for that pack yet again.

5. O’Hara

Drake Quote: “I never throw away that paper with my grammy speech / Because I haven’t hit the pinnacles I plan to reach” – Aston Martin Music

Interpretation: O’Hara has had some incredibly painful close calls over the past half decade. They lost two state championships on tie breakers and then had two hard fought 3^rd place finishes despite placing three runners in the top 30 on both occasions. But they haven’t thrown away their state championship dreams in 2016 and with another potent top 3 at their disposal and a group of seniors facing their last shot, maybe this is finally O’Hara’s year.

4. LaSalle

Drake Quote: “Cause we got a really big team / And they need some really big rings / They need some really nice things / Better be comin’ with no strings” – Big Rings

Interpretation: LaSalle does in fact have a large number of athletes on their team. And I’d imagine they want those metaphorical PCL and State Championship rings. Both of which would be nice things. And they want to do it against the state’s best on their best day, including rivals O’Hara. LaSalle has done big things in the past thanks to their pack running, but this year they’ve been leaning heavily on a strong core of front runners. If they can utilize that really big team to bust out a dangerous 4-5, then they could be on top of the podium.

3. CR North

Drake Quote: “Watching all these kids who thought they had it figured out / And then November came, they let me boys out” – I’m Good

Interpretation: These guys know how to peak at the right time. If you look at their runs over the last few seasons, they’ve gone from disappointing results to top 5 in the state somewhat consistently. At the end of October and beginning of November, they seem to turn it on. The question is can they turn it on enough to win the title? It will also be interesting to watch their #6 and #7 runners to see how they develop. I’m a fan of this team and like their upside, but they’ve got work left to do to get in position for title favorite. Worth noting, I do think they win Districts in a couple weeks.

2. DT West

Drake Quote: “They gon’ ask if I can win states back to back / Yeah, we want it back to back” – Back 2 Back

Interpretation: The obvious quote. Can they go back to back like Henderson and North Penn before them? Or will they end up like Coatesville, Henderson and North Allegheny before them (and get second the year after winning the title)? I wrote about the possibility of a title run all the way back in the beginning of the season. A lot of my numbers seem to indicate they could jump Carlisle at the state meet. But they still need to show me more to get the #1 spot.

1. Carlisle

Drake Quote: “Cashing checks and I’m bigging up my chest / Y’all keep talking bout who next / But I’m about as big as it gets” – All Me

Interpretation: A lot of people (including myself) are looking for a team that can beat Carlisle come states. We talk about how wide open this year is and how the state championships should be wild. But Carlisle has gone out and beaten all the PA teams they’ve faced. They’ve been consistent in the early season, they’ve made big improvements from last year and they have a record of peaking well for districts/states. We can keep talking about who is next, but in the meantime Carlisle is going to keep doing its thing. And doing it well.

AA

5. Harbor Creek

Drake Quote: “Whole city going crazy / Top 5 no debating / Top 5, Top 5, Top 5” – Grammys

Interpretation: I’m very much in on the Harbor Creek squad for this season. I think they have an awesome core of young talent. However, we score five guys in XC. So it’s the top five that will decide the title. Harbor Creek has a bit of a drop off from #4 to #5. How much can they close that gap? And how much will it matter come states?

4. Grove City

Drake Quote: “When you figure out its all right here in Grove City / And you don’t run from where we come from / That sound like Poetic Justice, Poetic Justice / You were so new to this life but after four years you got adjusted” – Poetic Justice

Interpretation: Since moving from AAA to AA in 2012, Grove City has been one of the AA powers. They’ve built a nice resume in the classification. However, they’ve yet to grab that state gold. They were runners up in 2012 (when I believe I picked them to win) and in 2014 (when I believe I also picked them to win) so it would be Poetic Justice if this year (when I don’t pick them to win) if they pull out the gold. They’ve got a great front runner and an improving pack, but they will need to make a jump from Foundation if they are going to get on the podium.

3. Greensburg Salem

Drake Quote: “Ain’t heard my album? Who you sleepin’ on? / You should print the line-up out and have a racing read-along” – Blogging Problems

Interpretation: They aren’t a traditional power, but we shouldn’t be sleeping on Greensburg Salem. They have an absolutely fantastic top three that no one else in this classification can match if all three guys are at their best. Their 4-5 hung very well at Foundation which nearly got these guys an upset victory. Don’t sleep on Greensburg Salem.

2. Dallas

Drake Quote: “But get it while you here boy / Cause all that hype don’t feel the same next year boy” – I’m On One

Interpretation: The defending champions from Dallas returned just about everyone from their title run in 2015 and will still return just about everyone for the 2017 XC season. But they can’t let a golden opportunity for gold slip away in 2016. At Foundation, they had their hands full with both York Suburban and Greensburg Salem plus they will have to deal with the always dangerous Grove City and Holy Ghost Prep. Nothing is guaranteed so Dallas will have to rise to the occasion again in 2016.

1. York Suburban

Drake Quote: “I might be too strung out on compliments / Overdosed on confidence / Beating PA’s best so stopped fearing the consequence” – Headlines

Interpretation: York Suburban won the Foundation Invite last year and entered states as the favorite over a young Dallas squad. However, Dallas turned the tables on the 2014 state champs and pulled off the upset in November. Could we be in for the same story this year? Hopefully, YS continues to stay hungry between now and their return trip to Hershey, despite their newly acquired favorite status.

A

5. Montrose

Drake Quote: “Way too many questions you must think I trust you / You searching for answers I do not know nothing (Woo!)” – Jumpman

Interpretation: I don’t actually know if Montrose is A this year. That’s why the quote is what it is. But assuming I’m right and they are, this team is going to be a force. They’ve got a strong pack and some front runners who could make noise as sleeper picks for medals. They should enjoy being in a lower classification this year.

4. Northeast Bradford

Drake Quote: “Gold chains and champagne / You want true, that’s true enough / Train’s list like every year / My office is my state bus” – No Lie

Interpretation: NEB always finds a way to contend in A. They won the first ever title in that classification back in 2012 (hence gold chains) and they have carved out a nice slot for themselves among the top five teams every year. But can they break through and get back on the podium this year? They’ve finished just outside the top 2 each year since their victory but with Casey Ellis and Garret Smith providing strong front running (Ellis looks like he could be their first top 10 guy since Williams and Jewett) I like their odds of contending.

3. Seneca

Drake Quote: “I’ve been waiting way too long long long long / Tellin’ everybody that I know we about to be on on on on” – Show Me a Good Time

Interpretation: Seneca has been a power for the last three seasons ever since the Myers twins came aboard. However, they’ve yet to finish in the coveted top 2 spots and get their turn on the podium. After a breakthrough on the track that featured a state gold in the 4x8, I think Seneca could finally be ready to get some XC hardware. The Myers twins should both be state medal contenders, but the pack will have to move up and secure some spots in the top 50 if they are going to contend with the two teams ranked ahead of them.

2. Elk County Catholic

Drake Quote: “Keeping people fed is my only peace of mind now / And I turn the six upside down, it’s a nine now” - 9

Interpretation: Elk CC seems determined to get to states and win their rematch with Winchester Thurston. The district nine school as turned their line up from RWB somewhat upside down, due in large part to the continued progression of a pair of ultra talented freshman in the 4-5 spot. Wortman looks great as a front runner as well. Their 2-3 last year were right around 50^th. If they move up 20 or spots and the freshman deliver this could be the A version of Dallas from a year ago, pulling off the upset.

1. Winchester Thurston

Drake Quote: “I got money to blow, I’m getting’ the wins / letting these times drop all over your skin” – Money to Blow

Interpretation: Winchester Thurston has been killing it so far this fall. You can make a strong case that they are the best team in District 7. Regardless of size. Out front, they have a monster group of front runners in Ben Littman, Shaun Hay and Tristan Forsythe. So monster in fact, that they could win convincingly at Slippery Rock without Forsythe in the line-up. But the key difference between this year’s team and the two previous squads is that WT has a little extra depth to protect against a possible injury to one of their top guys. They shouldn’t have to live or die by the injury bug in quite the same way they have in the past. So in that sense, I suppose they have money to blow.