D3-AAA Girls - Team Breakdown
- AAA Preseason Team Rankings
- Qualifying Spots For Teams: 4
- 2017 Champion: Manheim Township (67 points)
Manheim Township had a big 2017 season. The team won its second straight District 3 Class AAA title; this time in dominating fashion, scoring just 67 points to win by 55 over second place. A week later at states, MT placed second at the state meet, capping off a big fall.
Four girls from that team are back, and while Manheim Township (Preseason PA#9) will need to replace some girls, a good core and a winning culture are in place. Rising juniors Ava Pasewicz and Annabelle Lapp are back this season. So are Chloe Kline and Shannon Elias, who were strong as a freshmen last fall (Kline's 77th place performance at states broke the second place tie for MT). Look for this team to challenge for a third straight D3-AAA title in 2018.
Dallastown (Preseason PA#10) was second last year at districts and then placed seventh at states last year. It could be a factor again this season. Emily Schuler will lead the way for D'Town, and she may be the one to beat in all of AAA. They also return three others from last year's varsity team. After the graduation of seniors, Dallastown will need a strong fifth runner to step up if they want to contend for the D3-AAA title this season.
A team to watch this season is Elizabethtown Area. It narrowly missed a states spot last year by 12 points, but returns all seven varsity girls from a year ago. Katie Locker was ninth at states last year and is a strong No. 1. Cat Shontz, Madeline Quinn, and Kate Weissend will also be solid contributors with quick times to their names. Hershey loses its top girls -- Andrea Demko -- from last year's team, but brings back four varsity girls. If it can add some depth, look for Hershey, led by the talented Faith Mark, to contend for a state spot again.
Governor Mifflin has a strong leader in Andrea Miller. Four other varsity girls are back this fall and Mifflin will have a shot to improve upon its sixth place 2017 finish at districts. Carlisle, led by Meg Lebo, brings back six varsity girls and will have a good mix of veterans and young talent that should turn them into a contending team this fall. Chambersburg and Hempfield will also aim to make a run at the top four this fall.
Overall, it should be an interesting season in District 3 Class AAA.