This year’s Parkland’s girls cross country team returns it’s top runner from last year in District 11 champ Lana Hurwitz. While the Trojans graduated a couple of other runners from last season’s top seven, much of last year’s line up remains on this year’s roster with another year of experience.

Graduates Elena Wenger and Homare Yamashita, who both part of the team that took fourth place at districts last year, have both graduated, along with Ava Lundy, who ran in the league championship race but not at districts.

Hurwitz, a senior, is back after placing third in the East Penn Conference Championships last season before winning a district title and finishing 36th in a field of 233 at the girls Class 3A state championships.

Parkland had three girls state qualifiers last season in Hurwitz, Wenger and returning senior Gracie Trexler, who finished 17th at leagues and 18th at districts last year.

Junior Lucy Tobia, who missed qualifying for state cross country by a few positions, returns after a successful spring track season where she joined Hurwitz and Trexler as part of a relay team that earned a state medal and set a school record.

Sophomore Marley Boyle also returns from last year’s team that competed at districts. Seniors Abbey Bender and Alexandra Ost, who both ran in the league championship race last season, are back on the team’s roster this year.

“We have a strong lead runner back in Lana this year,” said head coach Stephen Ott. “Our other girls will need to step up if we are to contend for any team titles. I am confident that they will improve through the season and hit peak performance during the postseason.”

Ott’s assistant coaches this season are Doug Finley, Christie Schlaner and newcomer to the staff Kelly Bracetty, who has held several head coaching positions, including a stint at the helm of the Emmaus team.

“Her knowledge and the success of her programs led me to want to get her on our staff,” Ott said. “We were lucky to have her join our track and field staff this past year, and I saw the positive impact first hand. I am looking forward to the positive impact she will have on our cros country student-athletes as well this fall.”

The Trojans open their league schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Pleasant Valley.

Parkland gets the season underway Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Northampton Invitational. The Trojans’ first EPC meet is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Pleasant Valley.