A Private Girls Team Preview

Nicole Fegans of Landmark Christian (photos by Daniel McCauley)

A Private Girls

1. Landmark Christian- Landmark will be attempting to make it 5 titles in the past 6 years. Only graduating Kathryn Foreman, the Eagles will be very hard to beat this Fall. They have a formidable top 4 in Nicole Fegans, Mary Kellison Thorne, Sarah Foreman and Lindsay Biggar. Incoming frosh Erin Fegans could make a big impact this Fall as well. 

2. Athens Academy- Coming off an Outdoor title  the 2015 XC runnerups should definitely be in the mix for a Podium spot again coming off a Outdoor title. The Sparties should be flying high again as their entire top 7 should be back. Looking for another individual title will be Anna Marian Block (17:50). Emily Meyer-Ballard, Sara Irvine and Emily Elder will back her up. 

2. Hebron Christian- Its too close to call a definite #2 as Hebron and Athens Academy look to be evenly matched on paper. Only 6 points separated them last Fall...The Lions do return 5 of 7, but lost their top runner Maddy Howe. But, they ran well as a pack at State including Alyssa Hawkins, Amanda Jackson and Mikayla Burrell.  Miranda Taylor should also be in the mix as well. 

4. Darlington- The next 3 schools were AA powers in 2015. Its been a while, but Darlington is back in class A. The Tigers are coming off a 3rd place Podium finish in AA and return 5 of their top 6. Someone will need to try to fill Stephanie Ward's shoes this Fall and build some depth from 4-7. Top returners are Lilley Washburn and Jane Tullis. 

5. Wesleyan- The Wolves came away with a 2nd place AA team cup in 2015. The path back to a Podium finish is going to be tougher in A Private. They graduated 2 All-Staters, but 4 of their top 7 are scheduled to reurn including Anna Brown and Quin Kaloper.

6. Holy Innocents- The Golden Bears finished 1 spot off the Podium in AA last Fall and fall into Region 5 with Landmark and Wesleyan. Prospects are bright for 2016 as 5 of their top 6 should be back. Top runner Bryn Foster is back and Holy could have a frosh or 2 contribute as well. 

7. Providence Christian- The Storm finished1 spot away from making the Podium in 2015. They should be able to navigate a slightly weaker 8-A and Q' for State. PCA on paper has 5 returners back (lose Swanigan) with Sydney Hendrix back to lead the way. 

8. Atlanta International- 5-A AIS enjoyed a 4th place Podium finish in 2015. The Eagles have 5 of their top 7 back, including individual title contender Helen Williams  who was a strong 2nd in 2015. 

9. Whitefield- In 2015, Whitefield only had 3 girls cross the finish line at Region. They are extremely young, with 3 sophs and a frosh in the projected top 5. Emily Little had a nice summer of training, look for her to be possibly in the lead pack come State. 

10. Paideia- The Pythons placed 9th in 2015, but will have to develop a few runners if they want to get out of tough 5-A this Fall... Top returners are All-Stater Sophia West and Olivia Escobedo. 

Watch List:  Mount Paran, Mount De Sales, Savannah Christian, ACS