11th Annual Coach Wood Preview
The 11th Annual Coach Wood Invitational is shaping up to be yet another highly competitive meet. Some dub it the All Class State Meet every year, and this year’s meet certainly appears to be that again. With Nike Elite runner Andrew Wheating (2 time Olympian and 2 time NCAA Outdoor 800m Champion) present, this year’s meet looks to provide quite an atmosphere at the last major invitational of the season for most teams participating.
Championship Girls:
With 7 of the top 10 6A schools in this race, and 9 of the top 10 all class ranked squads, the team race should be very exciting. Marist (#1 all class/4A) enters as the favorite, and hopes to defeat the larger schools. Last year’s top 2 6A teams at State, Brookwood (#2 all class/#1 in 6A) and Walton (#8 all class/#7 in 6A), square off again, with Peachtree Ridge (#3 all class/#2 in 6A), Collins Hill (#4 all class/#3 in 6A), and Marietta (#5 all class/#4 in 6A), also in the mix this year. Harrison (#6 all class/#5 in 6A) also hopes to make some noise, along with Etowah (#7 all class/#6 in 6A). Northview (#1 in 5A) and Dunwoody (#2 in 5A) also add depth to this race, along with Lakeside-Evans (#7 in 5A) and Lakeside-Dekalb (#8 in 5A). St Pius girls are ranked #1 in 3A so they of course deserve mention, as do Blessed Trinity, ranked #2 right behind them, and North Hall at #5. Wesleyan girls (#9 all class) are #1 in AA, but Lovett’s girls, #3 in AA, would love to close that gap; they will be missing some of their top runners but perhaps some girls will step up for them.
Individually, Ilse (Early Bird, Warpath, Double Dip Champion), and Renou of Marist, Bussjager of Walton, Lippitt (Berry Champion) and Wilson of Peachtree Ridge, Reed of Wesleyan, Hovis (Aubrae Gunderson Champion) of Mill Creek, Brennan of Brookwood, Billings of Northview, and Green of Etowah should make up a majority of the lead pack. With this level of talent, expect some great duels all the way to the finish line, as valuable team points will be fought for every step of the way.
Championship Boys:
The entire top 10 ranked teams in all classes will be in this race, which should be quite thrilling! This race also features the entire top 10 teams from the 6A rankings, and is a great preview for what might happen at Carrollton on 11/9. St. Pius (#1 all class/3A) is the top non-6A squad in the race, and along with Marist (#10 all class/#1 in 4A) they should mix it up with the larger schools. Peachtree Ridge (#3 all class/#2 in 6A)had an impressive performance at the Gwinnett County Meet. However, Brookwood (#2 all class/#1 in 6A) ran 2 of their top 5 for the first time at Great American, and will be looking to avenge their 7 point defeat at Gwinnett. Marietta (#4 all class/#3 in 6A) is coming off a great win at the Cobb County Meet and hopes to keep their momentum going. Mill Creek (#4 all class0 is ranked #4 in 6A but will be without Tyler Woodrome for this race. The upstart Harrison squad (#6 all class/#5 in 6A)will be looking to mix it up with the other top teams, and Etowah (#6 in 6A) has a pack that hopes to move up as State draws closer. Parkview (#7 in 6A), Roswell (#8 in 6A), Collins Hill (#9 in 6A) are also looking to improve their rankings. Flowery Branch is the top team in 5A (#7 all class) and could sneak up on some of the schools ranked ahead of them. Greenbrier (#6 in 5A) and Lakeside Evans (#7 in 5A) add to the competitiveness of the meet. North Hall Boys (#9 all class)are #3 in 3A and should also be very competitive. Blessed Trinity is #4 in 3A to add to the level of competition. Wesleyan is #2 in AA and hopes to run well to prepare for a showdown with Westminster at State.
Individually, this race is stacked, just like the girls race. Sprague (Stage Race Champion) and Farrugia of St. Pius, Farmer (Cobb County Champion) of Walton, Friedman of Galloway, Mills (Berry, Gwinnett, and Bale and Trail Champion) of Peachtree Ridge, Thurston (Early Bird, Double Dip, and Darlington Champion) and Navarro of Marist, Bailey (Cherokee County Champion) of Woodstock, Dunlop of Kennesaw Mountain, Ellis of Collins Hill, Hughes of Greenbrier, and Brock and Watt of Harrison will duke it out along with countless others to scorch the course at Gainesville.
Varsity Girls:
Pope is ranked #5 in 5A and could walk away with the title, but they will certainly face a challenge from Milton (#9 in 6A), who have a long tradition of doing well in this race. Lovett (#3 in 2A) also looks to do well. Pickens is ranked #6 in 4A so they could challenge for a trophy. Lagrange (#10) is also in the race and looking to move up in the rankings. The individual race also proves to be exciting, with Weathers of Winder Barrow, Kehoe of Pope, Weaver of Pinecrest Academy, and Burr, Pardo, and Jordan of Milton all looking to stake their claim for some individual accolades.
Varsity Boys:
Langrange Boys are ranked #2 in 4A and would love to walk away with the 1st place trophy. However, they will certainly get a challenge from Pickens (#3 in 4A) and Northview (#4 in 5A). Lovett (#4 in 2A), Chapel Hill (#6 in 3A) and Oconee (#8 in 3A) also hope to gain strides on their competition before Region and State. Individually, Coggins and Bowie of LaGrange, Garriques of Creekview, Weegar of Evans, Starks of Hillgrove, and Costa of Sequoyah should set the pace up front.
