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2001 PA Cross Country Season Preview

PIAA AAA & PCL Girls Individual Outlook

Is he back, or isn't he? That's the question that competitors and observers alike are asking about 2000 State AAA XC Champ Shawn Cavanaugh of Mount Lebanon. 

Defending state AAA XC champ Shawn Cavanaugh wins the first race of the 2000 campaign @ California University of PA. 
 

Baldwin's Mazzocco went to the 2000 Spiked Shoe and dominated in a time that would usually win States. 

Hampered at the start of outdoor by an injury that cut into his training, (he had skipped indoor track to play basketball), Cavanaugh never got the base he needed to improve on his 2000 Outdoor 2^nd place in the 3200, and instead, ran the 4x800 and 800. If he's back and hungry for a second title, Cavanaugh will be tough to beat. But there are a slew of guys hoping to give it a try, including the only PA runner to beat him in XC last year, Dan Mazzocco of Baldwin. 

Mazzocco had a tough race at XC States, after getting out nicely with the lead pack, but finished out of the medals. He rebounded though, getting 35^th at Footlocker Northeast Championships in the hot race. That could be important experience as he prepares for this year's campaign. In fact, according to Dan, "this year I am trying to be a lot smarter about my approach. My coach (Mr. Wright) is really helping me out so that I peak at the right time, and I can't thank him enough for it. If I listen to him, I will be ready when it counts." He and Cavanaugh are both seniors. As a sophomore, Cavanaugh had finished second in XC to Danny Coval. 

Sam Bair won his first State Championship as a soph in the Spring, taking the 1600 in 4:14.36. 

Also ready to step up are some guys who saw their stock rise after strong outdoor campaigns. Sam Bair, Shaler, heads that list. He got 21^st at States as a sophomore, and then controlled both prelims and final in the Outdoor 1600, garnering his first state championship with a 4:14.36. 

Southern Lehigh's Tim Erickson, who was 5^th as a sophomore in the state XC champs in 1999, but dropped to 30^th in 2000, was the only PA 1600 runner close to Bair, finishing 2^nd in 4:15.80. He should be ready for his senior season. 

Following in Coval's footsteps is tough, but Council Rock senior Mike Didio made steady progress during his junior year. After finishing 25^th as a sophomore Coval's last year, he improved to 22^nd in 2000, and then uncorked a 4:18.52 in the spring to get 4^th at states. 

Coming off a team championship and 7^th place finish in XC in 2000, Coatesville senior Rob Robertson is shy his four graduated teammates, but the top returnee from the team. Another senior who may be ready to use the experience of his junior year to his advantage is Pottsgrove's Corey Rogers, who was 8^th in 2000 XC. 

Showing good distance speed in the spring was Upper Moreland junior Mark Mullelly, who ran 9:22.21 to get 4^th at states. Cedar Crest junior Patrick Clark had a great soph spring with his 7^th place 9:26.00 at states. Cedar Cliff's #1 returnee, John Butler, who was 15^th in XC as a junior, was 8^th in the state 3200 championships with a 9:29.54. One of the most consistent runners the last few years has been Altoona's Bob Boston. As a freshman, he was 13^th at states in XC. As a sophomore, he was 12^th. And in the spring, he finished 10^th in the 3200 in 9:32.60. With only two years remaining in his high school career, he could be ready to make a big jump. 

Senior Jeff Hite, Greesburg-Salem, returns after getting 11^th in XC 2000. Cumberland Valley senior Mark Turner, 14^th in 2000 XC, has the additional experience of getting 19^th in the junior race at the Northeast Regional Championships last fall. Other returning medallists are senior Joel Thomas, Emmaus, 16^th in 2000; senior William Hollister, Perkiomen Valley, 17^th in 2000; senior Andy Brehm, Cedar Cliff, 18^th in 2000, and senior Dorian McDonald, Liberty, 24^th in 2000. Finishing just out of the medals, but obviously with a lot of talent, are senior Jared Werth, Lebanon, 26^th; senior Rob Hampson, Council Rock, 27^th; and Cedar Cliff junior Patrick Philbin, Cedar Cliff, 29^th. 

In the Philadelphia Catholic League, watch for the continued emergence of Steve Hallinan, Cardinal O'Hara, who took 5^th in the Freshman race at the Northeast Regionals. He then ran a 9:40.42 3200 in the PCL champs in the spring, for 2^nd place. He was 16^th in XC PCL Champs. Other top returnees in the PCL are LaSalle senior Ryan O'Donnell, who was 3^rd in the 2000 PCL XC Champs; senior Stephen Prybella. St. Joe's Prep, who was 8^th; senior Pat Benner (younger brother of former PCL stars Brendan, who recently finished his track career at Georgetown, and Colin, now competing for LaSalle), of Bonner, who was 11^th; and LaSalle senior Domenic Panza, 13^th; plus Halliilan teammates, both now seniors, Joe Francisco, and TJ Coll, who were 14^th and 15^th respectively.