Warpath Invitational Preview
Varsity Girls
28 teams toe the line this Saturday to have a shot at knocking of Marist who has not lost to a GA team (full strength) since Coach Wood in 2012. Only two teams, South Forsyth and Etowah, look to have any shot of even getting close and they both lost to Marist the week before. Marist returned their top 4 from last year’s race minus Anna Renou, but they have added stud freshman Josie Wirtz. On paper nobody should touch last year’s race champion. Other teams in the mix will be Roswell, Riverwood International, and Cherokee. Individually there will be a strong front pack with some stellar runners all pushing to see how low they can drop their time, we may see some girls pushing below 17 or very low 18’s!
Top Individuals:
Morgan Ilse (18:45 win at Double Dip)
Savannah Carnahan (18:59 2nd place at Double Dip)
Emma Grace Hurley (18:01 win at Covered Bridge)
Jenna Gearing (18:49 season PR currently undefeated this season)
Anna Hayden (18:38 win at Early Bird)
Elizabeth Graves (18:45 2nd place at Early Bird)
Kingsley Green (19:06 win at Savannah)
Varsity Boys
The boys’ race has still managed to hold some strong teams and individuals in the last week before the race. Top teams contending are: Etowah (4th all class/ 3rd 6A), South Forsyth (10th 6A), Forsyth Central (7th 5A), Marist (5th 4A), Pickens (7th 4A), Blessed Trinity (2nd 3A), and White County (9th 4A). Teams looking to make a mark and fight their way into the top 10 of their respective classes are Cherokee, Cambridge, and Roswell. Etowah is led by front runner Michael Perona, who looks to lead the chase pack behind clear favorite Logan Poteet. Running with Perona, should be Frank Pittman (Marist), Ryan Peck (Wheeler), and Sean Parker (Pickens). Logan should push to break his course record if he races, but he may sit and save energy for another race down the season. This pack should be able to work together and push under 16:15 and maybe break into the 15’s.
Top Individuals:
Logan Poteet (15:43 win at Cobb County, undefeated this season)
Frank Pittman (16:15 win at NEGA)
Michael Perona (16:41 3rd place at Savannah)
Ryan Peck (16:04 2nd place at Early Bird)
Sean Parker (16:45 win at Pickens)