These are subjective rankings (not computer generated) they take into account returning team rankings, team rankings in the 1600 and 3200 from outdoor track, and a school's "Improvement Rating." Improvement Rating is a metric developed by researching the improvement in a team's final place at State from 2011-2013. Each category is given rank points and added up coming to a final point total. Some squads made up for high point totals, getting ranked higher by virtue of number of returners (top 7) and by fastest returning XC team average. Not all XC runners do Track (Soccer mostly) which can affect Outdoor team rankings, but generally not the top 5-7 teams)
3A Girls Pre-Season Top 5
#1- The Titans have been tough for at least a decade and will continue to be so thru this Fall. Upsetting St.Pius last season at State resembled their great runs against rival Westminster a few years back. They return 5 of their top 7 led by jr Mary Claire Solomon who has a pr of 19:25 at Asics.
| Blessed Trinity (GA) | 36 | |||
| 1) Mary Claire Solomon | 19:25.91 | 4 | ||
| 2) Katie McConnell | 20:02.98 | 5 | ||
| 3) Kaleigh Evans | 20:14.13 | 6 | ||
| 4) Theresa Morse | 20:24.60 | 7 | ||
| 5) Maddie Heller | 20:39.66 | 14 | ||
| Average Time: 20:09.46 Total Time: 1:40:47.28 1-5 Split: 1:13.75 | ||||
| 6) Jillian Oreffice | 20:58.13 | 18 | ||
| 7) Julia Marchuk | 20:59.20 | 19 | ||
Important Data:
2013 XC Returning Ranking: 1st
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 2nd
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 2nd
3-Year Improvement Plan: 5th
Returns 5 of top 7
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#2- Westminster isn't used to ending the season 2nd, and are going to have to work hard this season to catch rival Blessed Trinity. The Cats pulled off a tie for the 2A title after some digital images were reviewed and the GHSA made a decision allowing co-champs. Returning 4 of their top 7 is a good beginning especially when they normally develop a few frosh every seson who can contribute at State. Jr Charlotte Folinus is back to the lead the way after placing 5th at State.
| Westminster (GA) | 74 | |||
| 1) Charlotte Folinus | 19:12.00 | 2 | ||
| 2) Margaret Maxwell | 20:27.76 | 8 | ||
| 3) Gabby Bunnell | 20:36.10 | 11 | ||
| 4) Carson Simon | 20:36.85 | 12 | ||
| 5) Katie McGahan | 22:19.05 | 41 | ||
| Average Time: 20:38.35 Total Time: 1:43:11.76 1-5 Split: 3:07.05 | ||||
| 6) Mary Boyd Crosier | 22:34.10 | 46 | ||
| 7) Lillie Caravati | 22:37.92 | 49 | ||
Important Data:
2013 XC Returning Ranking: 2nd
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 1st
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 1st
3-Year Improvement Plan: 7th
Returns 4 of top 7
#3- This has to be the highest OC has been ranked in many years. The Lady Warriors have shown serious improvement the past 3 seasons going from DNQ to moving up 10 spots each season. Combined with having 6 of the top 7 back should make them an ambitious squad this Fall. Sr. Alyssa Beckstead returns as the leading runner with a pr of 20:31 at James Murphy Park.
| Oconee County High School (GA) | 160 | |||
| 1) Alyssa Beckstead | 20:31.22 | 9 | ||
| 2) Caroline Ferguson | 21:30.94 | 23 | ||
| 3) Anna Purucker | 22:04.98 | 31 | ||
| 4) Jocelyn Carver | 22:34.68 | 47 | ||
| 5) Megan Crozier | 22:38.88 | 50 | ||
| Average Time: 21:52.14 Total Time: 1:49:20.70 1-5 Split: 2:07.66 | ||||
| 6) Sara Sturges | 22:53.57 | 59 | ||
| 7) Gabbie Filipov | 23:23.09 | 74 | ||
Important Data:
2013 XC Returning Ranking: 3rd
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 7th
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 4th
3-Year Improvement Plan: 1st
Returns 6 of top 7
#4- The next 4 positions are so evenly matched it was a trial to decide who was 4th-7th, but Dawson County returning their top 7 gives them a slight edge in experience. Placing 11th in AAA last year shouldn't be too hard to move up this season with powerhouse programs that moved up to 4A. Soph Baily Cotter is their fastest returner with a pr of 21:41 at Unicoi State Park.
| Dawson County (GA) | 169 | |||
| 1) Bailey Cotter | 21:41.70 | 25 | ||
| 2) Cassidy Lecours | 22:00.10 | 30 | ||
| 3) Faith Sinclair | 22:14.80 | 34 | ||
| 4) Isabel Queen | 22:17.20 | 38 | ||
| 5) Melanie Rimawi | 22:20.60 | 42 | ||
| Average Time: 22:06.88 Total Time: 1:50:34.40 1-5 Split: 38.90 | ||||
| 6) Ansley Costley | 22:50.20 | 55 | ||
| 7) Taylor Grindstaff | 23:43.20 | 88 | ||
Important Data:
2013 XC Returning Ranking: 5th
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 4th
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 6th
3-Year Improvement Plan: 7th
Returns 7 of top 7
#5- Decatur is another school that has everyone slated to be back this Fall. Their primary feeder school (Renfroe) always has a big squad and gives them a better chance of having a newbee or 2 make a contribution their frosh season. Jr Casey Todd is the fastest returner w/ a pr of 20:48 clocked at Clinton Farms.
| Decatur High School (GA) | 166 | |||
| 1) Casey Todd | 20:48.28 | 15 | ||
| 2) Wren Ballou | 21:40.76 | 24 | ||
| 3) Annica Burmester | 22:15.41 | 35 | ||
| 4) Emily Sciarrone | 22:27.14 | 44 | ||
| 5) Harper Greer | 22:36.97 | 48 | ||
| Average Time: 21:57.71 Total Time: 1:49:48.56 1-5 Split: 1:48.69 | ||||
| 6) Emma Zelski | 23:06.27 | 66 | ||
| 7) Cali Katz | 23:07.23 | 67 | ||
Important Data:
2013 XC Returning Ranking: 4th
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 5th
2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 9th
3-Year Improvement Plan: 3rd
Returns 7 of top 7
TOP 10
| Blessed Trinity |
| Westminster |
| Oconee County |
| Dawson County |
| Decatur |
| Jefferson |
| Calhoun |
| Banks County |
| Coahulla Creek |
| Jackson County |