Photo by Patty Morgan
AAA Girls | Can P-Bury and U-Ville reload? Plenty of teams there if not
D1-AAA Girls Team Preseason Rankings
AAA should see a changing of the guard of sorts this season in what should be an very exciting year in District 1. Pennsbury, who have won the last two District 1 titles and five of the last six state titles will be faced with an uphill battle this year.
The Falcons graduated five of seven from last year's dominant state championship squad, including individual state champ Olivia Sargent. Hannah Molloy, Meri Twomey, Bailey Balmer, and Maddie Sauer are also gone from that team. Can Pennsbury reload for another run? With Mary Webb as a serious threat for a high state finish they will likely be in the conversation for a state berth as a team, but they'll need to add some more talent.
Photo by Patty Morgan
Unionville, another perennial power in the state, has a top girl in Anna Juul (above), who will provide a pivotal low stick up front. They lose Kacie Breeding and Cami Rickenbach, but return five of seven from last year's team that was a second to Pennsbury at districts and states. The one to watch on this squad is Madison McGovern, who was the top AAA freshman at last year's state meet. They are always a factor and this year should be no different. You can never doubt their ability to reload after losing some top talent.
Looking to capitalize on the losses of Pennsbury and Unionville are two PAC squads, Perkiomen Valley and Owen J. Roberts. They were third and fourth in the district and fourth and tenth in the state, respectively last year.
Perk Valley returns their top five from the state meet. Annie Glodek will lead this deep team that also includes sophomore Jocelyn Rotay (30th in the district as a frosh) and junior Teaghan Scheinbecker. OJR, meanwhile, has one of the bests 1-5 gaps in the state. They were under a minute at districts. Allison Brunton leads a team of five of seven returners from last season. Brunton was the team's top finisher at states last year at 48th, so they'll need to move up in the field to contend for a title this year.
Speaking of PAC teams with lots of returners, we have Spring Ford, who should make some noise as well this year. Led by Isabella Marchini, they return six of seven and should be in the conversation for a state qualifying spot.
One team that's very hungry for a state berth is North Penn.They were the dreaded sixth place at districts two of the last three years, including last year. They lose state qualifier Phoebe Clowser this year, but still return five from that sixth place team last year. They are riding some strong momentum on the track where they won the AAA 4x800. The Maidens are loaded with talent with Ariana Gardizy as one of the states top returners. Olivia Dyer, Jenna Webb, and Mikaela Vlasic will be key in their success this year.
Like any year, it will be a very heated battle for those five state spots. Downingtown West, with two PA Saucony Flo50 individuals, will be up there. Central Bucks East, Downingtown East, and Upper Dublin will all look to put it together on the right day and send seven to Hershey.