'GHSA Girls AA State Preview'
A supreme display of gamesmanship was put on at the Region 6-AA meet as Wesleyan and Westminster both sat their top 1-4? runners (or more) outsmarting themselves perhaps, allowing Lovett to 'Carpe Diem' snatching the 1st place hardware. It's going to be a knockdown, dragout fight between these rival programs come Saturday afternoon. Defending champ Emma Garrison and Caroline Reed of Wesleyan could have a classic duel for the individual title.
Team Race
Its going to be another classic state showdown with traditional longtime powerhouse Westminster and defending champ Wesleyan, who have knocked off the Cats' off more than once in recent history. Weslyan and Westminster both sat their top 1-4? runners or more, outsmarting themselves perhaps, allowing Lovett to 'Carpe Diem' snatching the 1st place hardware. Don't expect the same outcome this Saturday...These squads couldn't be more evenly matched (much like Peachtree Ridge-Brookwood gals in AAAAAA, though not as fast) Wesleyan looks to be a slight favorite, but if 1 runner has a bad race Westminster will pounce on the opportunity. Lovett looked strong at 6-AA but will have to hold off a feisty Bleckley squad (but Lovett at the Kosh Classic whipped the Royals by a good margin) Rabun County and Jefferson are evenly matched and could challenge for Podium spot. Not sure how well Thomasville and St. Vincent's will fare on the Carrollton course.
| Wesleyan | sandbagged 6aa | mixed jv |
| Westminster | sandbagged 6aa | mixed jv |
| Lovett | region title win | 21.31 |
| Bleckley Co | ez 4aa win | 21.41 |
| Rabun Co | beat Jeff, Union 8aa | 22.22 |
| Jefferson | upset by Rabun 8aa | 22.36 |
| St.Vincent's | won 2aa | 23.11 |
| Thomasville | ez 1aa win | 22.39 |
| Union Co | 3rd 8aa | 22.58 |
| Coosa | 1st at 7aa tight | 23.41 |
| Calhoun | 2nd at 7aa -1 pnt | 23.24 |
| Lamar Co | distant 2nd at 4aa | 23.19 |
| Model | 3rd at 7aa surprising | 23.34 |
Individual Race
Defending champ Emma Garrison of Union County and Caroline Reed of Wesleyan could have a classic duel for the individual title. Reed is race savvy and experienced racing in large fields with intense competition, whereas this Fall, Garrison has been unchallenged except at The Mountain Invite, where Jenna Gearing (AAA) and Savannah Carnahan (AAAAAA) soundly beat her. In the chase pack should be Wesleyan runner Jordan Zimmerman as she had a strong race at Last Chance. Charlotte Folinus and Margaret Maxwell of Westminster should be in close contact with Reed and Zimmerman with the team title on the line. Hailey Branch of Lovett is an experienced runner who should be in the mix. Ellen Powell from Bleckley County placed in 5th in 2012 and raced against Wesleyan at the Kosh Classic back in August. She has an excellent chance to repeat or better her place this Saturday. Look for green and white uniforms coming down the finishing hill consuming all state honors.