JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley sophomore Julia Kooser started to feel a swell of confidence last spring after the Butler Invitational.

Kooser won her first medal in a varsity invite by placing eighth in the 3,200-meter run.

While on the medal stand, Kooser started to think bigger. After running junior varsity cross country team as a freshman, Kooser wanted to take the next step.

Kooser wanted to run with Mariah Mack and Rachel Hensler, who were significantly faster.

“It did make me more excited about running,” Kooser said about her finish at the Butler Invite. “That was the first time I thought to myself that I could push myself harder.”

She focused on the little details and has caught up with the pack. At the WPIAL Class AAA championship meet, Kooser finished in sixth place, one second in front and behind her teammates.

Kooser finished a second behind Hensler and a second in front Mack.

Seneca Valley's team performance resulted in the school's first WPIAL title.

Kooser is one of 19 Butler County runners who will compete Saturday in various classes in the PIAA state championship meet at the Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey.

Hensler, Mack, Isabelle Biase, Lauren Sauer, Maty Zeckzer, Emma Sledge and Emily Keir will join Kooser at states.

“I would say we just try to focus more on details,” Kooser said. “We're always making sure to do the full amount of running and stretching afterward. We always did the main things, but we focus on the little details.”

Mack, who qualified for state last season, had high expectations for Kooser. While she was running junior varsity last year, Mack noticed her times gradually improving.

“She made an amazing transformation,” Mack said. “She was always a good runner and had the heart. She's started where most runners started and blossomed into a valuable varsity member.”

Seneca Valley completed its own significant transformation at the WPIAL meet.

The Raiders weren't among the favorites to win.

Two-time defending champions Mt. Lebanon and North Allegheny were tabbed to win.

In dual meets and invites, the Raiders didn't beat either one of those schools all season.

“I knew we were talented enough and good enough to have a shot,” Seneca Valley coach Steve Strelick said. “At states, we could finish anywhere from third or fourth to 12-15. It depends if we can put it together.”

Mack said the Raiders will be under no extra pressure at states because no one expected them to be there.

“It's kind of stressful, but it's a good kind of stress,” Mack said. “It's fun. It's a good challenge and it's nice to be there as a team.”

Kooser isn't satisfied now that she's hit her goal.

She wants to continue to be pushed by her teammates.

“It feels rewarding, but you want to push yourself more,” Kooser said. “It's not like expectations stop getting higher.”

Here's a list of Butler County athletes competing at the PIAA cross country state championships Saturday at Hershey:<B>Class AAA</B>Rachel Hensler, Seneca ValleyJulia Kooser, Seneca ValleyMariah Mack, Seneca ValleyIsabelle Biase, Seneca ValleyLauren Sauer, Seneca ValleyMaty Zeckzer, Seneca ValleyEmma Sledge, Seneca ValleyEmily Keir, Seneca Valley<B>Class AA</B>Mandi Moxie, KnochLauren Karenbauer, KnochAshlyn Carlsson, KnochRachael Wittmer, KnochBrooke Zukowski, KnochAbby Jones, KnochJenna Shelton, KnochMandy Hunt, Knoch<B>Class A</B>Rylee Kopchak, CW North CatholicSamantha Hall, MoniteauGabriella Stewart, MoniteauNote: Seneca Valley and Knoch both qualified as a team.