After a successful middle school cross country career, Mikayla Stoudt expected a respectable freshman season at Parkland High School.

She didn't anticipate being one of District 11's top runners or to lead her team to its second straight district title. That's just what she did last week, taking third place in Class AAA at the annual district meet, held at Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course.

"I was hoping I would do pretty well because I was undefeated in middle school," Stoudt said. "But I didn't know I would get third in districts."

Parkland's girls team placed five runners in the top 21 and cruised to the team title, outscoring second-place Emmaus 68-111.

Parkland's boys team will join the girls at this weekend's state meet. Led by Trevor Bergen's third-place finish, the boys took second place to Freedom in the Class AAA team standings to earn a trip to states, which will be held Saturday at Hershey's Parkview course.

Stoudt, who moved into the No. 1 role on the Parkland team as soon as she got to high school, ran the district meet in 19:48, not far behind winner Meredith Colton (Bangor) at 19:21 and second-place Paige Stoner (Pottsville) at 19:41.

"I was pretty happy with the way I ran," Stoudt said. "I think I got out a little slow, but my finish was really strong.

"I wanted to let the top two girls pull me around. Because I got out slow I couldn't catch up to them. That's why I kind of had to lead the next group."

The rest of Parkland's top five included senior Nicole Albertson (11th, 20:29), senior Judith Skinker (15th, 20:26), senior Cassidy Newman (16th, 20:50) and sophomore Cara Moyer (21st, 21:13). Junior Melissa Lukas (23rd, 21:20) and senior Daniel Klune (29th, 21:36) also ran well for Parkland.

The Lady Trojans make their third straight appearance as a team at states. Albertson and Newman have been part of all three state qualifying teams. For Stoudt it will be a new experience.

"Yeah, this is the biggest race I've ever run in," she said at districts. "I was nervous and excited.

"I don't really know what states is like, because I'm a freshman. But I hope we do pretty well. I'm really excited."

Bergen also makes his third straight trip to states as he's been his team's top runner at districts each of the past three years, along with classmates Will Nemeth and Robert Strauss.

After placing 17th as a sophomore, Bergen has run to third-place finishes in the past two district races.

"My goal was top three," said Bergen. "I was hoping to get second. Me and Alec Lederer always battle for it. He bested me today. Collin Abert, he's just a beast. I didn't think I'd have too much of a shot against him."

Easton's Abert won the Class AAA boys race in 16:21. Northampton's Lederer took second place at 16:44. Bergen finished in 16:54.

Nemeth took 14th in 16:54, followed by teammates Grant Newman (17th, 17:32), Noah Cosgrove (21st, 17:40) and Robert Strauss (24th, 17:46). Fellow Trojans Eric Scheler (30th, 17:54) and Connor Ceh (107th, 20:33) also competed in districts.

The Class AA girls race was won by Central Catholic freshman Colleen Daday in 19:27. She beat three-time champ Elizabeth Chikotas of Saucon Valley by 33 seconds.

Minersville's Cassidy Mason won the Class A girls title in 22:46, while teammate Wesley Yutko won the boys title.

Defending state champ Brendan Shearn won his second straight Class AA district crown in 16:11.

Team titles were won by Freedom in AAA boys. Northwestern swept the boys and girls Class AA races, while Minersville won both the boys and girls Class A team titles.