D3-AA Girls - Team & Individuals Breakdown
- Preseason Rankings: Team | Individual
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 3
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 15
- 2020 Individual Champion: Peyton Ellis (Boiling Springs) - 19:17
- 2020 Team Champions: Berks Catholic - 49 points
Individuals Breakdown
After the graduation of Marlee Starliper and Taryn Parks, Peyton Ellis of Boiling Springs moved into the top spot in D3-AA last season, running to the individual district title. A week later at the state meet, Ellis placed ninth, a five spot improvement over the previous year. Now Ellis, fresh off being apart of Boiling Springs' state title in the 4x800 meter relay will be looking for another strong fall. Her top district challenger last year -- Grace Kuhn -- has graduated, so Ellis is the big favorite to win her second straight district title, and she'll be a top five threat statewide in AA this season.
A pair of D3-AA returners narrowly missed out on state medals last season. OIey Valley's Ava Lottig was fourth in the district and 27th at the state meet, just a tick off the top 25. The senior will be very motivated this fall. Wyomissing's Addie Cohen, who was fifth in the district, was 31st at the state meet during a strong freshman season. Look out for Cohen as she moves into her sophomore year.
Conrad Weiser's Sydney Werner was sixth in the district last season for a second straight season. She'll look to give a challenge for a spot in the top three. Berks Catholic's Michaela Burkey (seventh), Kennard-Dale's Angelina Hammond (eighth), and Bishop McDevitt's Anna Burke (ninth) are all back this season after top ten district meet finishes in 2020. Berks Catholic's Mackenzie Langdon was 19th at the Berks County Championships, but didn't compete at districts. She is certainly a candidate for a strong finish this season.
Team Breakdown
Berks Catholic had a strong 2020, but the defending District 3 Class AA champions should be in line for an even bigger 2021. Berks Catholic captured the district crown last by two points over a strong Wyomissing Area team and then went on to place eighth at the state meet. The team's top seven from last year is all back, too.
BC won the district without Langdon, who paced the team at counties. With her return, there's even more depth on this already strong squad. Burkey was a strong No. 1 at districts and states, and then the 2-3-4-5 runners were only separated by 47 seconds at the state meet. Berks Catholic will be the big favorites for another district crown, and can be a team to make a run for a very high finish in November in Hershey.
There are two other spots up for grabs in the district. Wyomissing, second last year to Berks Catholic, will be a team to watch again this season. Despite the loss of Kuhn to graduation, Wyomissing brings back its next six girls from a year ago, led by Cohen, who will be a state medal contender this season. Expect Wyo to be right in the mix near the top of the D3-AA team standings.
There are plenty of teams that will be vying for the final states spot. Lampeter Strasburg (third last year), Bishop McDevitt, Boiling Springs, Conrad Weiser, and Eastern York are among the contenders for the top three this season.