2A Girls' Team Preview - PIAA State Championships
What a bounce-back for the Red Devils of Central Cambria!
After missing out on state qualifying for the first time in a long while last season, Central Cambria responded in a big way this season, rising to the top of the Class AA team rankings. A trip of talented freshman have stepped up for CC and turned them into the team to beat in Hershey this week.
Central Cambria took the first four spots in District 6 and scored just 18 points, led by freshman champ Stella Kuntz and runner-up Paige Wess, a senior. The Red Devils will look for its first state title since 2014 (1A) and first AA state title since 2009.
The defending state champions from Danville Area, however, showed at the District 4 Championships that this veteran-heavy squad is capable of a repeat. Danville scored 30 points to win the D4 title for a tenth straight year and looks to be peaking at the right time, paced by a good trio of Elaina Klinger, Marisa Maffei, and Emma Mikita. This squad could challenge Central Cambria and compete for a repeat.
Northern is another legitimate contender, too. The Polar Bears can be penciled in for one point with Marlee Starliper, but the team has proven to be much more than just a squad with the state's best runner. Junior Katie Anthony and freshman Allie Engle will be medal contenders, too, as this squad will compete for the win as well.
In District 10, Villa Maria Academy narrowly won yet another district team title and will once again be in the mix for a high states finish. Villa Maria won three straight AA team crowns before taking third last year. They are on the rise again and should make some noise with Leah Prischak leading the way and a good pack after that. Fairview was second to VM by a single point on Saturday. The reigning 1A state champs have proved just how strong they are this fall, making it out of a tough D10 to states. Maddison Hayes is a top 5 individual contender, while the rest of the team has come along nicely this season. This team could find itself in the top 5.
Another team that moved in AA this season is Warrior Run, which was second in a strong District 4. Lauren Trapani is a strong lowstick and this young team has progressed even more since its fifth place 1A team finish last year. Northwestern Lehigh, the District 11 champions, were second at Foundation, just 14 points off the winners from Northern. This squad runs the Hershey course well (sixth at states in '17) and should be in the mix.
South Fayette put on a show at the District 7 (WPIAL) Championships, scoring 55 points in a 29-team deep field. Hailey Poe led three girls that placed inside the top 10 at WPIALs (the whole top 5 placed inside the top 20). This team is young, but can definitely make some noise at states after a fifth place Foundation finish. Greensburg Salem, the WPIAL second place finishers, are another solid team in the field.
District 9 champs Saint Marys Area, Wyomissing Area, and District 1 champs Pope John Paul II will be shooting for high finishes at states, too. Look for a competitive battle for the win, as well as top 5 team finishes.