The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) oversees interscholastic athletic competition across the state. The culmination of each cross country season is the state championship meet, where individual and team champions are crowned in various classifications based on school size. Official timings and team placements from these championship races, along with results from qualifying meets leading up to the state championships, constitute the data set of competitive running records for Pennsylvania high school cross country. For example, one might find the finishing place of a specific runner from District III in the AA classification, or the overall team score for a school in District VII at the state meet.
These records offer valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and fans. They allow athletes to track their progress and compare their performance against others in their district and across the state. Coaches use the data for strategic planning, identifying strengths and weaknesses within their teams, and for evaluating potential recruits. Furthermore, these results contribute to the historical record of Pennsylvania high school athletics, providing a chronicle of achievement and a benchmark for future generations of runners. The detailed records are an essential component of the sport’s history and legacy within the state.