Margaret Carroll (Northeastern, now at Villanova), Emily Schuler (Dallastown, now at Temple) and Maddie McLain (Eastern York, now at Butler) have set the bar high for YAIAA girl’s champions. All three won YAIAA (YA) titles and had significant post-season success, both in XC and track and field. Who will take the reigns as the next great runner in YA?
This year’s race appears to come down to 5 athletes. Let’s start with our two pre-season favorites. Dallastown senior Lydia Tolerico is the #4 returner from last year’s YA meet, but posted the fastest time amongst returners at the district and state championships. She finished the year with a 22nd place finish at the state meet. Tolerico also had a very strong outdoor track and field season, posting a 10:58 3200m and 5:14 1600m. Winter Oaster (so, Gettysburg) is the top XC returner from the league meet. She also has the fastest average time amongst YAIAA athletes from the conference and district meet. She broke the 19-min barrier at each championship. These two will be pushed by at least 3 other athletes.
Northeastern seniors Marissa Pritchett and Belle Treglia have both been part of some great Northeastern distance squads. They are the #3 and #5 YA returnees this season and further positioned themselves as title contenders following their 2021 outdoor track campaigns. Pritchett went 11:05/5:15 for the 3200/1600 double while Treglia ran 11:09/5:10. Nicole Dauberman (jr, Susquehannock) is the #2 returnee from last season’s league meet. She just missed individually qualifying for states last season, running 19:03 at districts. She too had a good track season running the 3200/1600 double in 11:30/5:22. Mae Treml (so, Dallastown), Sophia Breschi (sr, Red Lion), Summer Hogan (jr, Dover), Hannah Herr (sr, Northeastern), and Victoria Rodriguez (fr, Dallastown) could all factor into the top 5.
Look for Eastern York sophomore Kaydence Strong to move up significantly from her performance last season. She posted an 11:52/5:33 3200m/1600m double this spring, one of the better freshman performers in the area. Honey Strosnider (sr, Fairfield) had a great regular season in 2020 and could factor into the individual race this fall as well.
The team title should come down to Northeastern and Dallastown. These two appear to have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the field and both should compete for a state qualifying berth. Both squads have individual title contenders. For Dallastown to dethrone Northeastern, they will need to get some big performances from underclassmen. They may have one of the best freshmen duos in the area with Victoria Rodriguez and Lexi Federline. Mae Treml, Allison Hartman (jr) and Nicole Register (sr) are all medal contenders. Northeastern’s experience up front can’t be understated. Pritchett, Treglia, and Herr have a ton of post-season experience. The Bobcats also have a potential impact freshman in Riley Keefe. Haylie Kurilla (jr) and Riley Bell (jr) are medal threats in their own right. My head says Dallastown, my gut says Northeastern...When in doubt, go with the experience.
York Catholic deserves recognition as well. They are a class A school that should battle Red Lion and Gettburg for 3rd in YA. They may be one of the best “A” schools in the state and return an experienced bunch from last year’s team.
Pre-Season Team Rankings
(More in depth team by team analysis will be provided in the District 3 Previews)