District 11 Class A Girls - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
Individuals To Watch: Katelynn Barthold (Northern Lehigh); Lauren Bower (Notre Dame Green Pond); Katherine Koons (Notre Dame Green Pond); Samantha Masser (Tri-Valley); Paige Mitchell (Tri-Valley)
Contending Teams: Moravian Academy, Northern Lehigh, Notre Dame Green Pond, Tri-Valley
The Skinny: Masser will be looking to claim her second straight district crown. She's been solid all season long and is coming off a strong sixth place Schuylkill League finish. After a 17th place state finish, she's firmly in the driver's seat to take her second straight title, though the four Notre Dame girls look to be hitting their stride at the right time.
As for the team race, Notre Dame Green Pond is in a good spot to repeat as district champion, on the heels of a strong team effort to take second in the Colonial League with four girls in the top 12. The last spot will likely come down to Tri-Valley and Northern Lehigh. Tri-Valley was fourth in the Schuylkill League last week, while Northern was fifth in the Colonial League. It could get very close for that spot.
District 11 Class AA Girls - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
Individuals To Watch: Avery Errico (Wilson Area); Olivia Haas (Blue Mountain); Angelina Klein (Northwestern Lehigh); Katie McCormick (North Schuylkill); Sarah Pezzino (Pen Argyl); Ryley Schwalm (North Schuylkill)
Contending Teams: Allentown Central Catholic; Blue Mountain; North Schuylkill; Northwestern Lehigh; Saucon Valley
The Skinny: Haas is the defending AA state champion, though is not the reigning district champ. The senior NC State recruit has been on a roll this year, and with usual district rival Cori McCormick now graduated, Haas is the big favorite for Wednesday. Expect a runaway win, as she looks to advance to states to make it two-in-a-row. The battle for second could be close with Colonial League champ Pezzino looking to continue her breakthrough campaign.
The team race figures to be very close with two spots to the state meet up for grabs. North Schuylkill edged out Blue Mountain for the Schuylkill League title, but Blue Mountain (the defending district champs) were ahead of NS and Allentown Central Catholic and Northwestern Lehigh at the midseason Foundation Invite. Northwestern was third in the Colonial League, a few points ahead of Saucon Valley, while ACC was fourth in the AAA-packed EPC. The Schuylkill League squads may have a slight upperhand entering the meet, but could be remarkable close for the top two.
District 11 Class AAA Girls - Race Preview
- State Qualifying Spots For Teams: 2
- State Qualifying Spots For Individuals: 10
Individuals To Watch: Avaline Fihlman (Freedom); Isabela Lees (Emmaus); Addison McPeek (Easton); Natalie Morgan (Southern Lehigh); Madeline Mumma (Liberty); Hailey Reinhard (Emmaus); Caitlin Voloshen (Nazareth Area)
Contending Teams: Easton Area; Emmaus; Parkland; Southern Lehigh
The Skinny: Reinhard is having a great season, complete with a sub-19 at Paul Short followed by an EPC individual crown last week. She'll be the one to beat after taking fourth in the district last year. Voloshen is coming on at the right time, taking second to Reinhard at EPCs, and so is Morgan, who was third in the Colonial League.
Emmaus has retooled in a big way after last year's district title-winning and fifth place state championship team. Emmaus won the EPC by 9 over Parkland, and looks to be in the driver's seat to chase another district crown. But Southern Lehigh, second last year in the district, will be motivated on the heels of a very convincing Colonial League title. This could be very close up atop the team standings between Emmaus, Southern. Lehigh, ands Parkland, with Easton looking to get in the mix, and just two trips to Hershey up for grabs.