Covered Bridge Preview
Boys Teams
The boys race should be a contest between perennial 6A power and 2013 State Champion, Brookwood (ranked 2, 6A 3 all class), a strong Milton team (ranked 7 6A), 3A powers Blessed Trinity (ranked 3 3A) and 2013 State 2A Champions Westminster (ranked 4 3A), and 2A harriers, Wesleyan (ranked 3 2A). Throw into the mix solid teams from Bremen (ranked 10 2A), Cambridge (ranked 8 5A), and unranked Alpharetta, Roswell, and North Gwinnett, who will join in to make the race the first real test of the season for several of the teams. Brookwood with seniors Miles Yapp and Chris O’Brian are sure to lead a pack of fellow Broncos as they shoot for two Covered Bridge titles in a row. Milton with Jack Bluth, Connor Cole and company will be in hot pursue will title plans of their own. Certainly teams who have yet to show their cards this early in the season will emerge as state challengers as they race through Garrard Landing Park.
Leading boys individuals
Brookwood senior Miles Yap, 15:34 top five finisher State XC
Cambridge junior Bjorn Leicher 16:25 at Bob Blastow
Chris O’Brien senior 16:27 at Gwinnett Co Championships
Milton junior Jack Bluth 16:38 at Regiuon 5 AAAAAA
Milton senior Conner Cole 16:50 at Region 5AAAAAA
Grahan Huff 16:58 at Wendy’s Invitational
Girls Team Race
This one could be one for the ages as several super strong teams meet to see who has the one up on everyone else at the start of the season. 6A powers Brookwood #2 6A, Milton #9 6A, Roswell #10 6A, and Northview had better be on their ‘A’ game to meet the challenges of Blessed Trinity #1 3A, Cambridge # 5 5A, Wesleyan #3 2A, and Bremen #6 2A. Based on early performances, the team race could boil down to the three teams from BT, Brookwood and Northview. Still it’s too early to discount unranked teams like Centennial, Alpharetta, and North Gwinnett who also have talented teams. The course record of 18:00 could certainly be eclipsed as Lindsay Billings, Emma Grace Hurley, Rachel VanAmburgh, Mary Claire Soloman, Lauren Flynt, Holley Gunder, Anna Barefield, and Tiffany Yue speed through the course. Regardless of the finish, the race should be an exciting one to watch with tight team scores among the top 5 teams.
Leading Girls Performances
Northview Lindsay Billings junior 18:12 at Foot Locker South, State Champion State XC Meet & 3200
Fellowship Emma Grace Hurley junior 18:13 at Foot Locker South
Roswell Rachel VanAmburgh junior 18:32 at Foot Locker South
Cherokee Caitlyn Ferrell senior 18:57 at Westover Invitational
Roswell Sunshine Flamer junior 19:10 at Foot Locker South