D3-AAA Boys - Team Breakdown
- AAA Preseason Team Rankings
- Qualifying Spots For Teams: 4
- 2017 Champion: Hempfield (110 points)
The race for the District 3 Class AAA title this season and the four state qualifying spots should be one of the best districts battles to watch for this spring,
The team to beat may be the boys from Carlisle. Last year, the Herd placed third at districts last year and then ninth at states. Five varsity boys are back this fall, including top runner Jack Wisner, who is entering his senior season. Casey Padgett, Bryce Dunkelberger, Trent Balestri, and Jacob Morris are also back making for a strong squad that will be worth watching this season.
Last year's District 3 Class AAA champs Hempfield can't be counted out. Hempfield loses some of its top runners, but brings back Justin Rittenhouse and Jack Mieszkalski, who could lead this team back to the top of the D3-AAA podium.
A young team that could make some serious noise this fall is Palmyra. With three varsity freshman in 2017, this team placed sixth at districts last year. Rising junior Matt Carroll will lead the way for Palmyra, which could very well take D3-AAA's top spot come late October. Warwick will also be worth watching for this season. Six of the team's seven varsity boys are back, led by by '17 state qualifiers Connor Shields and Noah Martin. After an 11th place D3-AAA finish last year, Warwick should be in the mix for one of the top four spots and could also compete for the win.
Mechanicsburg Area made states with a fourth place district finish last year. Brandan Knepper and Michael Vigliano are a pair of lowsticks that return. If Mechanicsburg can find some depth on the backend of varsity, it could find itself in position to make a run at states again this season. Manheim Township brings back four varsity boys from a year ago, led by Ian Miller, who should compete for a high finish at states individually. Look for MT to be in the mix for the top four.
Cumberland Valley has been the unlucky fifth place team for the last two years, and will look to get over that hump and make states this season. Lower Dauphin, Chambersburg, and Twin Valley will also look to compete for high finishes this season at Big Spring.