11th Annual Darlington CC Festival Preview

Will be showdown of sorts between top ranked All-Classes Marietta and 6th ranked (in 6A) Etowah. With the Blue Devils Pick your poison with 5 runners having prs of sub 16:27 including Jack Henderson, Khayvonn Benson and Ben Patterson. Etowah's frontrunner all season has been Michael Perona with a pr of 16:13. Kell's Logan Poteet is back to defend his title and it could be interesting to see how Marietta deals with him, let him go or push? Creekview's 3rd ranked 5A boys squad led by Brennan Garriques (17:09) could be in the mix for a team award. Wesleyan's 2nd ranked 2A boys could be ready to unleash some speed on the fast course as they have ran primarily on tougher courses. Austin Leath has the Wolves top runner thus far this Fall.  Rome's Daniel Glick is fresh off a 16:08 at Ridge Ferry. Host Darlington is currently ranked 6th in 2A led by Spencer Fields who's a definite contender for a Individual state title. Taylor Scarbrough and Nate Driscoll of Cherokee HS have turned in some fast times as well as Hillgrove's Connor Head.  

 

                                                                                 Varsity Girls

 

Its quite a different Varsity Girls race this season at Darlington with no Marist, Centennial, Riverwood and individuals Morgan Ilse, Tayler Tuttle (UGA) and Emma Grace Hurley not competing. But a showdown is looming between Etowah's 9th ranked 6A Girls led by sr Kingsley Green, and currently on the 'Watch List' in 6A Marietta. The Blue Devils were one of Ga.MileSplit's top 5 pre-season squads and could make a run in late October at a Podium spot. Mary Jeanne Assinzo, Rebecca Dow and Kayla Dawson are a formidable trio. 5A Dunwoody girls are ranked 3rd led by Ansley Heavern, Kelly May Sheehan and Samantha Cameron. Creekview's girls are 4th in 5A and will have an opportunity to pass Dunwoody in the rankings next week depending on their performance. There is a huge 2A Girls showdown that could be telling between 2nd ranked Darlington led by Stephanie Ward, Kinslee Clevenger and Lauren Hooper and Wesleyan's 3rd ranked gals led by Jordan Zimmerman, Kylie Reed and Ellie Bradach (I bet top ranked Pace will be checking the results of this one Saturday evening! ) A surprising 6th ranked Model squad will see how much work needs to be done after testing their legs against those strong programs. Carah Arrant is Model's top runner and Makayla Hewell from Banks County will find out how she stacks up against some fast competition.