Teams and individuals will qualify for the district championships from their respective leagues, based on team and individual finishes. This applies to class AA and class AAA only.
Here is the breakdown for qualification by league/conference:
BCIAA
AA Boys – 3 teams + 12 individuals
AA Girls – 4 teams + 12 individuals
AAA Boys – 3 teams + 21 individuals
AAA Girls – 3 teams + 9 individuals
LL League
AA Boys – 4 teams + 14 individuals
AA Girls – 3 teams + 9 individuals
AAA Boys – 6 teams + 24 individuals
AAA Girls – 7 teams + 21 individuals
Mid-Penn
AA Boys – 4 teams + 14 individuals
AA Girls – 4 teams + 12 individuals
AAA Boys – 7 teams + 28 individuals
AAA Girls – 7 teams + 21 individuals
YAIAA
AA Boys – 3 teams + 12 individuals
AA Girls – 3 teams + 12 individuals
AAA Boys – 5 teams + 20 individuals
AAA Girls – 5 teams + 15 individuals
Class A
The top 2 teams from the District 3 class A Championship advance to states.
#1 – Annville-Cleona
Annville-Cleona appears to be the most complete team in the district. They have a true low-stick in Braetan Peters (sr). Peters is currently our favorite to win the individual title. Cassi Clemson (jr) is a legit #2 runner, and while she had a bit of an off day at PIAA Foundation, she has put together a resume of someone capable of a top 5 finish come districts. Nory Mitchell (jr) has continued to improve and she gives Annville 3 runners that could finish inside the top 10.
#2 – Camp Hill
Seeing senior Janelyn Vorkapich back for Camp Hill at PIAA Foundation was a welcomed site. Not seeing freshman Marissa McGuire was concerning. McGuire was their #1 at the Big Valley Invite earlier this season. They need to be at full strength to keep this position.
#3 – York Catholic
Catholic has a really solid 1-3, led by freshman Madeline Murphy. Gabbie Tully (sr) and Aleya Miller (sr) provide great experience and solid up front support.
NR – Tulpehocken
Tulpehocken falls out of the rankings because they have been unable to field a complete team since week 1. If healthy, Tulpy will challenge for a district title. It would be nice to see this group add a few more runners.
NR – Newport
Newport has been showing signs of improvement and is still very much in the mix for one of the 2 state berths.
Class AA
The top 3 teams from the District 3 class AA Championship advance to states.
Class AA District 3 Championships – Projected Qualifiers and associated Team Rankings:
At the moment, I believe the battle for the three state qualifying berths will come down to the top 3 teams in the BCIAA and the top 2 teams in the Mid-Penn.
Conrad Weiser is led by individual District 3 title contender, Sydney Werner (jr). Freshmen Indiana Auchenbach and Sarina Neiswender have been great additions. Bella Auchenbach (sr) gives the Scouts their 4th athlete who could finish inside the top 20 at Districts.
Wyomissing has looked good in BCIAA action. We have yet to see the Spartans compete in any invitational, so the jury is still somewhat out on them. Addie Cohen (so), Lauren Riddle (sr), and Maddie Hyde (sr) could all be individual district medal winners.
Berks Catholic may have the best overall depth amongst the top 3 ranked teams. Michaela Burkey (jr) and Mackenzie Langdon (so) look like district medal contenders.
Boiling Springs has a top 3 that rivals anyone in class AA. Peyton Ellis (jr), Anna Chamberlin (sr), and Haylee Erme (jr) are on track to individually qualify for states if the team doesn’t break into the top 3. These three could take home a top 15 medal as well. Ellis could challenge for the overall title.
Trinity looks to have 1 district medalist in freshman Lila Shore. While they lack multiple “low-sticks” like those ranked ahead of them, they probably run the tightest pack of runners 2-5. Only 26-seconds separated runners 2-5 at Carlisle this past Saturday.
Class AAA
The top 5 teams from the District 3 class AAA Championship advance to states.
Class AAA District 3 Championships – Projected Qualifiers and associated Team Rankings:
This one is a long way from over. The top 9 teams are all very much alive for one of the 5 team qualifying berths to states.
The thing I am most confident about in these rankings is Dallastown as the #1 team in class AAA. We already knew about Lydia Tolerico (sr) and Mae Treml (so) entering the season. We also discussed how strong their freshmen class could be and that has turned out to be very true – Victoria Rodriguez, Natalie Good, and Lexi Federline provide the Wildcats with talent for years to come. Finally, Kailey Granger (jr) has burst onto the scene this season. She is a first time XC runner who should challenge for a district medal. In total, this team could place as many as 4 runners inside the top 20 at Districts.
The next 8 teams could be interchangeable on any given weekend. For the time being, I think I will leave it at that.