Photo by Lex Mercado
Independent Schools - Girls |
Girls' Independent Schools Preseason Team Rankings
There should be a great race brewing for the independent schools title for the girls.
Germantown Friends narrowly edged out the Academy of Notre Dame for the title last year, but GFS has lost some key members from that team, including Sarah Walker and Alice Wistar. They need to reload this season if they want a shot at a repeat.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame should be strong, despite the graduation of Mikayla Schneider. Sydney Stribrny will lead the way for ND as they look to claim a state title that just slipped out of their grasp last season. One point behind ND was Germantown Academy. They have Abbe Goldstein, the strong favorite to win this season, but they did lose Maggie Hallahan, who was third last season. They have a handful of seniors to replace, but with a low stick in Goldstein, anything is possible.
The favorite looks to be Friends' Central, though. They were fourth at states last season, but that was without Emily Burd, who spent most of last season not far behind leader Gabrielle Wilkinson. Wilkinson, one of the state's best half milers has the speed and strength to pick up a high finish. With Burd and then Sydney Chamley-Oerton, Friends' Central will have a really strong top three. Remember that this team was a very close second in the DMR at indoor states.
Ultimately, this race will be all about who can retool the best with many graduated from last year. Friends' Central will be waiting if no one from the other squads can step up.