Photo by Barb Krohn
A Girls
D4-A Girls Preseason Team Rankings
Last year brought us a very close battle for the district title and the two state qualifying spots from D4-A. This year should be another close duel for those spots with at least five teams that have a legitimate shot of putting it all together on district day.
We'll start with the reigning champs: Southern Columbia. Last year's championship squad was comprised of two seniors and five freshman. Those freshman are back and led by Haley Scopelliti, who was third in the district last year. Can those now sophomores take on a leadership role and get SC back to Hershey?
Returning six of seven is Northeast Bradford, the 2015 D4-A runners-up by just four points. They lose their #2 from last year's team, but return a good group, headed by Karli Moyer, who was fourth in the district and 48th in the state. NEB were the champs in '13 and '14 and they'll definitely be hungry to take back that title this year.
Canton Area, third in 2015, will look to get over the hump this year and make the state meet. They have a strong team to do so. Randi Jennings (above) will be a low stick for the Warriors after taking a close second at the district meet last year. Canton returns five of seven and their top four runners from last year. They have the pieces to make a good run. It will all be about having their best day at districts.
Troy was a surprise fourth place team in 2015, despite toeing the line with the minimum five runners. Lucky for them, they were comprised of four freshman and one sophomore. That whole team is back this year and they could be ready to make a serious threat, albeit no longer under the radar. Madeline Delosa and Katherine Polakowski were state qualifiers last year as freshmen and they'll led this group in 2016.
Warrior Run has 2015 champion Tori Ross back, but they will look to add a strong supporting cast to compliment her in order to battle with the top teams.
All in all, D4-A is a wide open race for now, but who will be the first to emerge?