GISA State Cross Country Boys Meet Preview

 

                                               

                                                       Kaleb McLeod of Trinity Christian Dublin                                                  Wright Calhoun of Southland

                                                                                     

                                                                                                                        AAA Boys

 

AAA is much stronger than AA as last year's AA Champ Trinity Christian Dublin has moved up in class this season and at the Region 2-AAA meet held on their home course almost perfect scored with 17 points and a team average of 18:40. It sure helps when Ga's top runner from Foot Locker South 2013 is leading the way as Kaleb McLeod has experience at Darton posting a 15:39 pr there this season and is undefeated against GISA competition.. Little bro Jacob McLeod has improved this Fall with a pr also at Darton of 16:45. 

 

Southland may have a tough time defending their 2013 AAA title since TCD is now AAA, however in the first meet of the season defeated TCD by 18 points. But, Trinity got the better of Southland on their home course by 13 points late September and then by 39 points at the Deerfield Dash at Darton College. Trinity Christian Dublin dominated their 3-AAA opponets placing their top 5 in the first 8 spots. Southland is led by Wright Calhoun (16:37 at Westover) and Billy Calcutt (17:45 at Westover)

 

Augusta Prep also easily won their Region 2-AAA meet held at their home course and looks to be chasing TCD this Saturday. Senior John Earwood is their top runner having a pr of 17:08 at Highlander. In 2013 Earwood placed 3rd at State on the LCA course. Mill Springs could contend fora top 4 slot led by Devin Hazzard (17:02) Sam Lynch (17:51) and they got the better of Trinity Christian Sharpsburg at the Weber School Invitational.

 

I was surprised to look in the database and find 35 GISA schools had Boyz team scores in the Independent Schools Team Rankings. Trinity Christian Sharpsburg won Region 1-AAA at LCA and is ranked 5th in GISA rankings database with a 19:19 average. Hans Troyer (18:32)  and Drew Taylor (18:48) are their top runners. Brookwood (my former big rival in HS) and Deerfield Windsor have outside shots to make the top 3. Will Carico is Brookwood's top runner. Evan Downs of Westminster Schools of Augusta is another top individual.                                                                                     

                                                                                                                    AA Boys

                                 

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                 Jacob Burgamy of Brentwood

 

AA is a tough nut to crack open as not many of those schools competed in meets that turned in results. The most telling data comes from 2 regions that did submit data including Regions 4-AA held in Athens and Region 1-AA held in Alpharetta. Frederica placed 2nd behind TCD in 2013 and is ranked 9th overall in GISA in the Independent school 'Team Rankings' database. Jacob Burgamy from Brentwood is the favorite to take the Overall titke having a pr of 15:59 at Darton. Brentwood also easily won Region 4-AA with Monsignor Donovan 2nd. .