Photo by Patty Morgan
AAA Girls | Manheim Township, Chambersburg look to take down '15 champs Wilson
D3-AAA Girls Team Preseason Rankings
AAA should be a very competitive battle for the team title and those precious state qualifying spots. Wilson returns a frontrunner in Alison Willingmyre, but can they replace some of the depth they lost and repeat?
Wilson won by 30 points last year in a dominating effort at Big Spring. But there was over a minute and a half gap between their fifth and sixth runners. With the loss of two of the seniors from that top five last year, they need to find runners to fill that gap. We know they will be solid one through three, though, and they will look to find the pieces to be a strong contender again.
Last year's runner-ups, Manheim Township look to be the favorites headed into the season in D3-AAA. They posted a remarkable 28 second one through five gap at districts last year to take second. They return all five of those girls. Kira Jenkins and Alyssa Koser will lead the way for Manheim Township as they look for a district title.
Photo by Megan Zeller
Chambersburg should be in line for a strong season. They earned the fourth and final qualifying spot for states last year and they return five from last year;s squad. Among the returners are Abby Yourkavitch and Kaylee Mowery, who were third and sixth in the district last year, respectively. Cadie Klser was also in the top 20 at districts last year. They have some spots to fill on the back end of their top five, but they should be a strong contender for the title and a return trip to Hershey.
Then there's Cumberland Valley. They lost four-time D3 champ Mady Clahane to graduation, but the other six from last year's varsity squad are back. That group just missed out on states, finishing fifth. They may no longer have Clahane, but this is a hungry team. Marie Rulapaugh will be the likely top runner on this team and a state spot and high district finish are certainly in the cards this year.
Hershey should be a contender for a state spot. Their top two from last year---Andrea Demko and Taylor Mortensen---and some good depth. The backend of their top five still needs to make moves forward, but they will be among the teams looking at the top four.
Carlisle lost four seniors from last year, so this may be a rebuilding year of sorts for the 2015 third place D3 team. They can still surprise, though. Palmyra, JP McCaskey, and Lower Dauphin will also be looking to surprise and earn a state spot.