Team Breakdown: PIAA District 11 Girls

D11-AAA Girls - Team Breakdown

Last year, we saw a good battle for the top spot in District 11 AAA and we should get more of the same in 2018.  In 2017, Easton Area fell to Parkland at EPCs, but then a week later at D11, Easton exacted revenge and took home the AAA title with Parkland taking second. Both teams went to states.

This year, Easton will have some retooling to do with five of its top seven gone from the '17 that placed 11th at states. Back is Lauren Maddison, who ran to the district title last year, but the rest of the Rovers scoring five have graduated. Easton, however, is a strong program that can certainly put itself back in the conversation for a states bid this season.

Parkland, meanwhile, loses two of seven from last year's state-qualifying team. Madison Zaun and Ava Bendetti will lead a team that should contend for the D11-AAA and a spot in states. Last year, Parkland's 1-5 gap hovered around just one minute.

Then there's the 2016 District 11 AAA champions, Stroudsburg. The Mountaineers bring back their top five led by Amy Conboy, who was 15th in the state two years ago. Ciara Conboy emerged as a frosh last season and took ninth in the district. Stroudsburg is a dangerous and deep squad with a really good chance at winning it in D11-AAA.

Another squad with a healthy set of returners is Liberty, which placed fifth in the district last year. Belle Weikert had a tremendous sophomore season in '17 and placed second to Maddison at districts. The Hurricanes have six others back from its varsity team from last year and should factor into this deep district. Emmaus was fourth in the district last season. It loses '17 top runner Abigail Dalton, but brings back the other six varsity runners from a year ago. Look for them to contend for a top two spot, as well.

Northampton Area, Freedom, and Whitehall are among the teams looking for some breakthrough performers to get in the mix this fall. The battle for Hershey will be an intense one in District 11.