Class AA and A are difficult to project for next year, in part because the PIAA will be reclassifying schools for the next two seasons. I am hearing that the Greencastle-Antrim boys will be moving up to class AAA starting next season. You could see some AAA schools moving down to class AA. You could also see more schools from class A transition to class AA. More to come on this once the PIAA releases the update. In this look ahead, we assume nothing changes from the past 2 seasons.
Here is a way too early look at what we can expect for the 2022 District 3 class AA and A XC season:
Girls Class AA
Top teams from 2021 looking to rebuild in 2022:
Wyomissing took home the district title this past fall. They will enter the 2022 season with only 1 post-season runner returning. That runner, Addie Cohen, is a good one to rebuild around. She will be the #3 returner from the 2021 District 3 Championships.
On the rise:
Lampeter Strasburg finished 2021 as the #7 team in D3. They return their top 4 performers and 5 of their top 7 heading into 2022. They could contend for the overall title.
Returning strong:
Berks Catholic returns their top 4 and 5 of their top 7, just like Lampeter Strasburg. The team that develops the strongest 5-7 could come out on top next season.
Boiling Springs loses team #1 Anna Chamberlin to graduation, but returns everyone else. They’ll be looking for a return trip to Hershey.
Conrad Weiser, Trinity, and Bishop McDevitt return 6, 5, and 4 runners respectively. McDevitt may have the top newcomer next season in rising freshman, Leilah Horshaw.
Way too early rankings for 2022:
The top 6 teams all look like they could contend for one of the 3 state championship berths in 2022.
Boys Class AA
Depending on how the reclassification unfolds, class AA may not see many changes up front in 2022.
Top teams from 2021 looking to rebuild in 2022:
Kennard-Dale finished 5th in 2021, but graduation hits the Rams hard as they lose 4 of their top 5 guys.
On the rise:
Boiling Springs was 7th this past year and return their top 6 performers from the district meet. The top teams from 2021 are still loaded, but a top 5 team performance in 2022 seems possible for the Bubblers.
Returning Strong:
Lampeter Strasburg, Greencastle-Antrim, Susquehannock, and Wyomissing were the top 4 teams in 2021 and it looks like they could be the top 4 teams again in 2022. Greencastle loses Weber Long, but returns everyone else. Wyomissing returns their top 6. Susquehannock returns 5 of their top 7. While Lampeter Strasburg graduates 3, they return 3 runners amongst the top 8 returners in class AA.
Way too early rankings for 2022:
Class A Girls
Only 5 teams scored at the 2021 District 3 Championships. Unless Annville-Cleona moves up to class AA, its hard to see a scenario (at this point) that they don’t repeat as team champion in 2022. They graduate 2, including District 3 champ Braetan Peters, but will bring in at least 2 potential impact freshmen in Makenzie Stellmach and Leah Tshudy. York Catholic, Delone Catholic, and Camp Hill figure to battle it out for 2nd.
Way too early rankings for 2022:
Class A Boys
Trinity took home the 2021 title, but graduate 5 guys from that team. Finishing only 1 point back of Trinity was Tulpehocken. The Trojans return 6 of 7 and their top 3 returners could all be top 5 individuals next fall. They look to be the team to beat heading into 2022.
Way too early rankings for 2022:
