Nike/Fleet Feet Coach Wood Invitational 2014 Meet Preview
This year the top 20 teams entered were selected for the Championship races, in the hopes that a smaller, more elite field will produce even more impressive results. However, the Varsity Gold and Cardinal races also feature stout competition and all races will provide an excellent opportunity for harriers to prove their mettle against worthy opponents.
Girls Championship:
8 of the top 10 All Class teams will clash in this epic race. Marist and Northview square off in a battle of the top 2 teams in Georgia. However, they will also be facing the likes of Mill Creek, Brookwood, Milton, Harrison, Heritage-Catoosa, and Walton, as well as 2A #1 Lovett. Look for this one to be decided by the all-important 4th and 5th runners, and where they are in the fast field.
Top individuals: Morgan Ilse, Marist; Lindsey Billings, Northview; Avery Bussjager, Walton; Serena Tripodi, Lovett; Kingsley Green, Etowah; Alexandra Melehan, Woodstock; Mary Jeanne Assinzo, Marietta; Hannah Petit, Mill Creek; Lauren Flynt, Brookwood; Ashley Kehoe, Pope
Boys Championship:
Marietta has held the All Class #1 spot all season, taking down all top Georgia teams as well as most of the top teams in the Southeast. The defending State Champion Brookwood Broncos look to be the strongest challengers if they are able to run full strength, and it will be interesting to see how close the two teams are before the showdown in Carrollton in 3 weeks. Behind them lurk St. Pius, and challengers Peachtree Ridge, Milton, Mill Creek, Walton, Etowah, North Hall, and North Cobb. With 9 of the 10 All Class teams in the race, a handful of points could make quite a difference in the final results.
Top Individuals: Logan Poteet, Kell; Miles Yapp, Brookwood; Reilly Friedman, Galloway; Frank Pittman, Marist; Tyler Barber, Mountain View; Christian Bowles, Lakeside Evans; Stephen Martinez, St. Pius; Sam Costa, Mill Creek; Mitchell Sanders, Walton; Owen Bailey, Woodstock; Davis Stockwell, Lakeside Dekalb;
Gold Girls:
Creekview girls are the highest ranked team in 5A in this race, but they will have to contend with the likes of the Pope girls, as well as Collins Hill, Flowery Branch, St. Pius, and North Hall. The battle for the 3 team trophies looks to be fierce among the 25+ teams in this race.
Top Individuals: Alyssa Hooker, Lakeside Evans; Caitlyn Farrell, Cherokee; Makayla Ellis, North Hall; McKenzie Knudsen, Archer
Gold Boys:
Forsyth Central is the top ranked team in the race, having been in the All Class rankings for most of the season. But they will have to watch out for strong teams such as Lambert, Northview, Cherokee, Creekview, and 2A #4 Lovett. Teams will be looking for a shot in the arm as they approach the championship season.
Top Individuals: Jonathan Schwind, Lambert; Colton Page, Allatoona; Taylor Scarbrough, Cherokee; Alex Murfee, Woodward Academy
Cardinal Girls:
The top contenders for a trophy appear to be Centennial, Cambridge, Norcross, and East Paulding. But with 16 other schools in the race, there will be plenty of other squads looking to upset favored teams and walk away with a trophy.
Top Individuals: Alyssa Sheffield, East Paulding; Olivia Terwilliger, Kell; Marielle Lewis, Kell
Cardinal Boys:
Johnson, Kennesaw Mountain, Cambridge are the class of the field on paper. But you never know what will happen once the gun goes off, and someone (possibly Norcross or Oconee) in the 19 team field will emerge and snag the coveted 3rd place trophy.
Top Individuals: Conner Head, Hillgrove; Bjorn Leicher,Cambridge