Class A Scouting Report
1A Public
This Fall Class A will rejoin the fray back in Carrollton. This will surely be exciting for the runners and parents...until they hit that nasty little hill by the lower elementary school building and its welcome to a much tougher course (especially with the addtion of the new little hills on the back of the course) than the Georgia Industrial Children's Home presented. I was unable to attend the event in Macon in 2012 and am thrilled everyone is running at the same venue. The meet will be chip timed, which took a few years to make happen as Carrollton was reluctant to change what had worked for many years. Is it just me, or no coincidence that A Public runs last when nearly everyone but officials and some hardcore parents will be left on the venue? It has been discussed among many about having a time 'cutoff ' or having runners who are mostly walking pulled off the course. For those of us who have attended the State meet since 2001, this is a common sight. But to see someone walking before the Mile marker has to somewhat humiliating for that athlete, especially when thousands are lining the course. Well, I guess not many will get to see it this State meet as we'll be gone (except for me, officials, the Timer and some parents)
A Public Girls
A will continue to be a tough class to evaluate due to school's having little money in the XC budgets to travel to meets more than 30 minutes away as nearly all these schools are in rural areas. Based on returners, Towns County, Gordon Lee and Georgia Military College should be at it again for the A Girls title. Trion being a close 3rd. Ansley Vardeman of Towns will be back to defend her individual title, but she was the only Towns County girl with a grad date so its hard to gauge..GMAC should be returning their top 5 including runnerup Elizabeth Savage. Crystal Lee of Trion was top 5 in 2012 and Gordon Lee returns their entire top 7 led by Abbey Bohannon. Claxton finished 3rd last Fall, but its undetermined who is returning.
A Public Boys
It will be more interesting to see how the Boys handle Carrollton as few of them have tested their legs there. Last years individual champ graduated, but his Baconton Charter teamates look to contend in 2014 with all-state Dylan Bostick and Sebastian Dykes returning. Mark Brannen of Jenkins County has to be considered as a favorite to capture the Individual title after winning the 3200 at the GA Olympics and placing 3rd in the 1600. Jenkins County looks to return its top 4 from 2012 as well making them a strong contender for a team title. The big question for them is will they have a 5th runner to complete the picture for them? Defending team champ GMAC should be right in it as well on the boys side but there situation is much like Jenkins County in who'll step up in the 5 spot? Leading the pack for them could be Will Archer as he led their charge to the top of the Podium placing 3rd in Macon along with Tom Drew.
A Private
Boys
The race for a State title could come down to 4 evenly matched squads including Darlington, ACS, Holy Innocents and Landmark Christian. Some of the top 10 individuals return this Fall including state Champ Reilly Friedman of Galloway, senior Joey Carr from Mount Paran Christian (runnerup), Robby Keough of Whitefield Academy who had a fantastic Spring Track season, Ray Warner of Holy Innocents, Shane Sullivan who led Mount Pisgah to a 4th place team finish in 2012, and Joshua Rogers of Pace,
Darlington returns a solid top 5 and may have the tightest pack in the class. In 2012 they did not have a runner make the all-state team but placed 2nd overall. Returning to lead the Tigers are a solid top 5 including Avery Cypress, Spencer Fields, Andrew Hudson, Chris Edwards and Jared Deaton.
Landmark Christian placed 3rd last Fall and returns a good squad including 4 sub 18: runners Austin Taylor Spencer Geerlings, Joe Humphries and Brandon Regan. Don't be surprised what Hall of Fame Coach Joe Thorne can get out of his runners.
Holy Innocents placed 9th down in Macon, but could improve upon that performance this season. Ray Warner returns after having made the all-state team and Ross Waters. Ben Davies was a top 8th grader in the shorter distances and could make an impact.
ACS was blessed having the Jenkins brothers for a few years and in 2012 had a squad w/out a senior. But this season 3 seniors could make a difference and may be ready to climb the rankings and claim a Podium spot this Fall. Morgan Bishoff looked strong in the Athens Summer Series. Jay Acker, the Corsanitti brothers (Steven and James) and Chaney Westbrook are the top 5 coming in.
Lakeview Academy has a strong top 3 including twins Dustin and Dalton Snyder, and Lewis Brooks, but need their 4 juniors to come on strong this Fall.
Whitefield Academy has an ace in the hole with Keough and return 3 runners who have clocked sub 18:20.
Galloway's Podium potential will be dependant on how much their 2-5 runners can improve from 2012. The Scots placed 5th in Macon but graduated their core (2-4) w/ the exception of Individual State Champion Reilly Friedman.
Last season, Athens Academy had a very strong top 3 and easily won the State title. With Henry Dwyer, Kurt Crymes graduating and longtime coach Tom Pee moving on, it will be a challenge to make a run at a Podium spot. Adam Hearn returns as their top runner w/ a pr of 16:44 and a solid top 4. The Spartans will need someone to step up in that 5th spot...
Some other Boys teams that can crack the top 10 and make some waves could be Hebron Christian as Coach Mike Taylor has made great strides with a MS feeder program. Junior Colson Hagan has a pr of 17:03 FPD should get out of Area 1 and make the trek to Carrollton behind the duo of Paul Young and Will Martin.
Girls
Landmark Christian may well be onto another run of State titles. The Lady Eagles train hard and it again is paying off. Kathryn Foreman (soph) is in a class by herself and when little sis' Sarah becomes a frosh in Fall 2015...Landmark returns everyone but Lindy Long (who joined Grace Tinkey at the Air Force Academy this Summer) Word is they have a freshman transfer named Nicole Fegans who also may have an impact.
Providence Christian returns their entire top 5 including Tayler Tuttle who placed 3rd in Macon last Fall along with Ellie Thomas and Emily Swanigan (both top 14 at State) If anyone has a good shot at taking down Landmark Christian it is Providence.
Darlington's trademark over the years has been team strength, without having that top 5 individual with a low 1-5 split. The Tigers ran well enough when it mattered at State as Coach Parrish knows how to get his charges to peak placing a strong 3rd. Kensee Clevinger returns after having made all-state in 2012 along with their top 6. Don't count out Darlington making a run on 11-9.
Pace Academy was a single point shy of making the Podium in Macon and should be right back in the mix again. Pace scores very high on the 'Composite' chart based on many weighted factors and returns. Pace returns the core of their squad including Callie Cunningham and Jilly Paul.
Holy Innocents had a disapointing Area meet last Fall and didn't qualify for State in 2012, But will be loaded for 'Bear' to make it this Fall. Once again, a team without a star, but many solid young runners including only 1 senior. Top returnees are Claire Kelsey, Ileana Zeissner and Lauren McBroom. Frosh Elizabeth Graves could make an impact as well..
Athens Christian was definitely in a rebuilding year in 2012 with a very young squad, and with a year of racing experience may be ready to challenge for a Podium spot. The Golden Eagles also return everyone, but may be a year away, when Tanner Guest becomes a freshman, as Coach Cummings believes she has alot of potential..Mackenzie Rogers is a frosh that could contribute as well.
Whitefield Academy is another team from Region 5 that came up short last Fall, but looks to have the makings of a top 10 team. Naomi Grand Pierre had the 5th fastest time (returners) from 2012 and is the reigning 1A Private Champ in the 1600 meters (5:05)
Our Lady of Mercy looks to improve upon 2012 with a very young squad, returning everyone and only have 1 senior and 3 juniors on the squad. Sprinter Leah Banks will try on her xc legs this Fall and could have an impact after clocking a 57 400m and 2:26 800m this Summer.
Teams also looking to make a run will be Mount Pisgah who placed 4th in 2012, but graduated some key runners. First Presbyterian Day made a valiant effort in 2012 placing 6th at State on what is basically their 'home course' sans Grace Tinkey and in their Area/Region should Q easily for Carrollton this Fall as they return the core of their squad.
