MEET PREVIEW for 2012 NEGA Championships

 

     The 9th annual NEGA Championships are shaping up to once again be one of the largest and most competitive meets in our part of the state. With approx. 40 high schools and 15 middle schools, we are expecting to have somewhere between 1400 and 1600 runners on Saturday morning for the 8 races. The meet has taken on  more of a Cross Country Festival atmosphere than merely a competition. Hundreds and hundreds of fans line the course and cheer on all runners and schools during the races, the pre-race cheer at the beginning of each race seems to really get the kids going and great sportsmanship and encouragement from all corners rule the day. We have several great XC programs who have been with us for years and many state podium teams seem to get their start here in August.

 

     This year's field for the Boys includes the # 2 ranked team in 5A - Lakeside - Evans; the # 4 ranked team in 5A - Flowery Branch; the # 3 ranked team in 3A - North Hall; the # 10 ranked team in 3A - Oconee County; Jefferson and Oglethorpe County, highly ranked teams in 2A, and Providence, a top 5 team from1A. On the girls side, the # 1 and # 3 ranked teams in 5A - Lakeside and FB; with North Hall; Jackson County and Jefferson all being top 5 teams in the respective classifications. Coach Jimmy Sorrells from Flowery Branch has been with us for many years, his accomplishments as a highly successful coach are well documented as well as that of North Hall, Lakeside- Evans, Oconee County, and Jackson County, just to mention a few,  and some newcomers this year including Providence and Social Circle. Bruce Taylor and the Fast Feet group do an excellent and efficient job of timing each year and our " Top Ten" T-Shirts seem to be very popular awards. Looking forward to another great kick-off to the season here in Northeast Georgia.    Tim Cummings, Meet Director.

  

       

 

                                      The Bob Blastow Invitational

 

        

         Looks like this meet will have some great competitions among some top-ranked schools and individuals as well. The varsity girls race could see a big matchup between Lassiter's Marci Merriman & Morgan Ainslie along with Milton's Annie Kelly & Alpharetta's Rachel Thorne, Allie Buchalski of John's Creek and Lindy Long of Landmark Christian. A great team battle as well shapes up with ranked teams from Milton (#2-AAAAAA, 4th All-Class), Lassiter (#6-AAAAAA, 10th All-Class, John's Creek (#10-AAAAAA)and Lakeside-Dekalb (#4-AAAAA) and 5th-All-Class (#1 A-Private) Landmark Christian! The boy's have a big team matchup with #1 All-Class McIntosh up against #4 All-Class Milton (#2-AAAAAA) and throw in a All-Class 7th-ranked Woodward Academy team and this could be one fun team fight. Individually for the boys you have Brad Hort (McIntosh), Nate Riech (Milton), Adel Younis (Wheeler) and Drew Sands (Woodward Academy) that will contend for the title on this very fast course. Should be a great meet!       by Coach Andy Carr

 

 

 

                     Mercy Invite Preview

     The Mercy Invite has once again attracted a large field with many of the top Catholic programs in attendance including Marist, Blessed Trinity, host Our Lady of Mercy and the St.Pius girls team. The OLM Course is 1.05 mile loop course, mostly wooded trails, along with two open fields. Runners finish with a 300 meter stretch on the stadium track. The course has been widened on the north side of our campus to open up the race.On the boys side invading the campus will be top ranked Norcross as they placed 3rd in 5A 2011 at Carrollton. The Marist squad, though traditionally slow starters may give them a run for their money Saturday. There are quite a few top 10 schools also competing from 1A Private, including Galloway, First Presbyterian Day, and Pace. Blessed Trinity from 3A, Riverwood from 5A ccould also make it tight for a top 5 team finish.

     The Varsity Girls race has the promise of being exceptional with many talented squads competing for first place. Blessed Trinity, having moved up to 3A  is resounding favorite to win AAA in 2012…led by Bailey Willett and unbelievable depth up front. St. Pius X placed 2nd at State in 3A, just behind champion Columbus (now in 4A),..Marist as always has to be considered a frontrunner led by sophomore sensation Morgan Ilse.  A horde of ranked Girls squads will be there from 1A Private including  First Presbyterian Day, Galloway, Pace, Holy Innocents and Pinecrest Academy. Whitewater and Riverwood International should represent 5A very well. Katherine Yost of Norscross seems to hold the upper hand as the favorite to be the top individual in the Varsity race.          by Bruce Taylor

 

 

 

                                                         Pickens Preview

 

     This year’s Pickens Preview includes 18 high school teams along with 9 middle school teams and running clubs, and is expected to draw upwards of 800 to 1000 runners. The course at Roper Park is true cross-country alternating between grass, wooded trail, asphalt, gravel road, and sidewalk surfaces. It includes long straight sections, but also some challenging hills along with runs back and forth through a short tunnel between Roper Park and the wooded trail behind Pickens County Middle School.  

     For the boys, teams in attendance and mentioned in the preseason rankings include Sequoyah and Creekview (watch list / 5A), Pickens (#4 / 4A), Cartersville (#7 / 3A), and Darlington (#2 / 1A - Private). Those teams along with S. Forsyth (6A) and Rome (5A) will likely contend for one of three team trophies. On the girls’ side, Rome and Creekview (watch list / 5A), Pickens (#5 / 4A), Northwest Whitfield (# 9 / 4A), Cartersville (watch list / 3A), Darlington (#4 / 1A -  Private), along with the teams from W. and S. Forsyth look most likely to be in the mix to take home some team hardware. 

     Individuals who will likely be in or close to the lead pack and vying for top 10 medals for the boys include Ryan Pepperhorst and Reed Vaughn of S. Forsyth, Austin Ryan and Hunter Carter of Creekview, Christopher Costa and Ryan McNeil of Sequoyah, Drew Bellows  and Wyatt Ingram of Pickens, Isaac Pacheco of N. Murray, Roger Herrera of Cartersville, Joe Mayes of River Ridge, Mike Costellanos of Rome, and Andrew Hudson of Darlington. For the girls, Lauren Hooper of Darlington, Alyssa Weaver of Pickens, Frannie Wilson and Jenna Tilton of Rome, Lauren Johnson and Rachel Garabedian of Creekview, Lydia Moyer, Tricia Surber, and Rachel Shah of S. Forsyth and Sarah Jenkins of W. Forsyth will likely lead the throng of runners around Roper Park and contend for the win and individual medals.

     The middle school races will also include some fast young ‘uns from m.s. teams associated with some of the high schools attending along with some accomplished area running clubs. There are always a few surprises and “out-of-nowhere” individuals and teams who have been lurking under the radar, and who will burst into the limelight this time of year. The weather looks to be shaping up nicely for some fast early season times.  Cheering fans will line the course especially towards the start and finish for an electric running atmosphere on Saturday morning in Jasper.