.jpg)
Elizabeth Graves from Riverwood placed 2nd at State in 5A. She is followed by Starrs Mill's Mary Valli. (pic by Daniel McCauley)
The 5A girls look to be a very strong classification with the majority of last year’s top girls all returning. Individuals with a legitimate shot at racing for the win at Carrollton in November include Alyssa Hooker (Lakeside-Evans), Elizabeth Graves (Riverwood), Mary Valli (Starrs Mill), Olivia Terwilliger (Kell), Kelly May Sheehan (Dunwoody), Lauren Wallin (Creekview), Marielle Lewis (Kell), Caroline Nelson (Northgate), Anna Hayden (Riverwood), Ansley Heavern (Dunwoody), Samantha Cameron (Dunwoody).
Teams: Subjective Rankings based primarily on 2014 State Returnees)
Dunwoody- Last year’s champions look poised to repeat barring injuries. The Wildcats return their entire top 5 from their 2014 State Championship team including 5A 3200 Meter Champ Ansley Heavern. Sophomore Kelly May Sheehan led the Cats at 2014 State placing 5th and Samantha Cameron (12th) give them a powerful hreesome up front.
Starr’s Mill- The Panthers had a strong runnerup finish last season at State and will look to challenge again for a title. Led by their talented front-runner Mary Valli, Sarah Phinney, Sophie Handel and Tori Nails give the Panthers a potent quartet. Starrs will need to develop the back half of their pack if they want to upset Dunwoody.
Flowery Branch- Last year’s team was very young. Depending on their Summer running, could they be ready to challenge for the top spot? The Falcons were 6 points away from a Podium spot in 2014. Returning 5 of their top 6 gives them a good start. Top runner at State Mariah Milsap is back with a tight supporting pack including Erica Plummer, Hailey Pearson, Shannon Hoolahan and Kelly Kritzinger.
Creekview- The Grizzlies returns a solid pack with state experience and could challenge for a state title. Reurning 5 of their top 7 led by Lauren Wallin, who placed 7th last season at State, Creekview has risen quickly in the ranks for a fairly young school. It will be interesting to see if a frosh or 2 develop thru the season.
Cambridge- This is a newer school that has benefitted from the horbed of distance running in the Milton area. Solid packed up group (1-5 Split 46.85) returning with state experience, they will need to develop a front runner to crack the podium. Sophomores Chloe Phelps and Chloe Paskins placed 19th/20th in Carrollton last November.
Northgate- The Vikes ran well as a team at State earning a coveted 4th place Podium spot. Returning at leat 5 of their 7, Northgate will be strong up front one again led by 2014 5A All-Stater Caroline Nelson (10th), Elise Glorvigen and Erica Lee, but depth will be the determining factor on where their girls end up.
Columbus- Columbus seems to always be in the top 10 every year. Finishing 8th in 2014, a talented team flew under the radar for much of last season racing primarily in Muscogee County meets. Solid pack returns 6 of their top 7 with state experience. Senior Alina Salgado should be leading the way.
McIntosh- Another school located in a community that supports distance running (Peachtree City) Had a disapointing end to their 2014 campaign placing 7th. Always a dangerous squad, will need to develop their #4-7 to challenge for the podium. Chiefs return at least 4 of their top 6 including top 2 Allyssa LeClaire and Rachel Ward.
Richmond Hill- Coach Levi Sybert has been a boon to this program the past few seasons placing 9th in 2014. This could be the year they make a statement. Depth could be a concern, but they return a good pack with state experience. Strong top 2 should be back including Jenn Thorpe and Rachel Hammesfahr.
Lakeside-Evans- Return their top 5 led by defending state champion (Alyssa Hooker), Lakeside had a pair of 9th graders (Maggie Bembry and Tamera Mistry) running at state last year. If they can take the next step up and some depth is found/made, they can move-up.
Watch List:
Riverwood: Probably the best 1-2 punch in the classification with overall runnerup Elizabeth Graves and Anna Hayden, but depth was a major issue last year.
Union Grove- A hungry young team with an influx of talent from their middle school program will look to upset some of the more veteran squads this season. Returning 6 of their top 7 from 2014 certainly doesn't hurt the Wolverines chances. Senior Ellunde Montgomery should lead the pack.
*These are database generated based on Fastest Times* (not the actual Rankings like above*
| 1 | Dunwoody (GA) | 113 | ||
| 1) Ansley Heavern | 19:01.24 | 7 | ||
| 2) Kelly May Sheehan | 19:11.56 | 9 | ||
| 3) Samantha Cameron | 19:15.08 | 11 | ||
| 4) Ann-Marie Sills | 20:27.00 | 41 | ||
| 5) Alexandra Womble | 20:45.71 | 45 | ||
| Average Time: 19:44.12 Total Time: 1:38:40.59 1-5 Split: 1:44.47 | ||||
| 6) Elayna Harris | 21:11.13 | 64 | ||
| 7) Chloe Thomas | 21:17.05 | 73 | ||
| 2 | Creekview (GA) | 119 | ||
| 1) Lauren Wallin | 19:12.44 | 10 | ||
| 2) Anneliese Conrad | 19:43.79 | 15 | ||
| 3) Molly Morris | 19:54.87 | 21 | ||
| 4) Bella Thomas | 20:20.42 | 35 | ||
| 5) Anna Hyde | 20:23.99 | 38 | ||
| Average Time: 19:55.10 Total Time: 1:39:35.51 1-5 Split: 1:11.55 | ||||
| 6) Kennedy Cater | 20:38.40 | 43 | ||
| 7) Ashleigh Meeker | 20:46.32 | 46 | ||
| 3 | Starrs Mill High School (GA) | 129 | ||
| 1) Mary Valli | 19:00.58 | 6 | ||
| 2) Sarah Phinney | 19:49.50 | 20 | ||
| 3) Sophie Handel | 20:06.10 | 26 | ||
| 4) Tori Nails | 20:19.20 | 33 | ||
| 5) Hannah Fertig | 20:44.48 | 44 | ||
| Average Time: 19:59.97 Total Time: 1:39:59.86 1-5 Split: 1:43.90 | ||||
| 6) Makira Walton | 21:27.97 | 90 | ||
| 7) Dori Turnier | 22:05.92 | 122 | ||
| 4 | McIntosh High School (GA) | 138 | ||
| 1) Alyssa LeClaire | 19:30.22 | 14 | ||
| 2) Rachel Ward | 19:46.95 | 18 | ||
| 3) Brianna Sattinger | 19:56.92 | 23 | ||
| 4) Carson Silbert | 20:22.94 | 36 | ||
| 5) Nicole Zaubi | 20:46.47 | 47 | ||
| Average Time: 20:04.70 Total Time: 1:40:23.50 1-5 Split: 1:16.25 | ||||
| 6) Caroline Baynes | 21:27.23 | 89 | ||
| 7) Maddie Smith | 22:05.66 | 121 | ||
| 5 | Cambridge HS (GA) | 193 | ||
| 1) Chloe Paskins | 20:05.98 | 25 | ||
| 2) Chloe Phelps | 20:12.77 | 30 | ||
| 3) Samantha Hardy | 20:13.67 | 31 | ||
| 4) Juliana Harrington | 20:52.83 | 51 | ||
| 5) Troyce Grant | 20:59.19 | 56 | ||
| Average Time: 20:28.89 Total Time: 1:42:24.44 1-5 Split: 53.21 | ||||
| 6) Kate Burgess | 21:08.34 | 62 | ||
| 7) Shealyn Brooks | 21:10.76 | 63 | ||
| 6 | Columbus High School (GA) | 201 | ||
| 1) Alina Salgado | 19:49.12 | 19 | ||
| 2) Hope Skypek | 20:00.34 | 24 | ||
| 3) Harper Fine | 20:09.85 | 29 | ||
| 4) Amber Lorentz | 21:04.31 | 59 | ||
| 5) Brittney Sims | 21:15.10 | 70 | ||
| Average Time: 20:27.74 Total Time: 1:42:18.72 1-5 Split: 1:25.98 | ||||
| 6) Morgan Stockdill | 22:06.71 | 124 | ||
| 7) Nasya Williams | 23:32.50 | 209 | ||
| 7 | Union Grove (GA) | 258 | ||
| 1) Ellunde Montgomery | 19:44.64 | 16 | ||
| 2) Mackenzie Cromer | 20:48.70 | 48 | ||
| 3) Kaylee Haake | 20:52.43 | 50 | ||
| 4) Katy Gwaltney | 21:11.62 | 65 | ||
| 5) Tori RIves | 21:22.49 | 79 | ||
| Average Time: 20:47.98 Total Time: 1:43:59.88 1-5 Split: 1:37.85 | ||||
| 6) Abby Renner | 21:29.94 | 93 | ||
| 7) Ashley Powers | 21:57.74 | 116 | ||
| 8 | Northgate (GA) | 297 | ||
| 1) Caroline Nelson | 19:56.66 | 22 | ||
| 2) Elise Glorvigen | 20:19.67 | 34 | ||
| 3) Erica Lee | 20:26.17 | 40 | ||
| 4) Taylor Lee | 21:18.34 | 76 | ||
| 5) Cathleen Hoffman | 22:11.54 | 125 | ||
| Average Time: 20:50.48 Total Time: 1:44:12.38 1-5 Split: 2:14.88 | ||||
| 6) Hannah Skiotis | 22:20.12 | 136 | ||
| 7) Shelby Watson | 23:05.67 | 177 | ||
| 9 | Richmond Hill (GA) | 366 | ||
| 1) Jenn Thorpe | 20:26.05 | 39 | ||
| 2) Rachel Hammesfahr | 20:32.47 | 42 | ||
| 3) Daryn Lane | 21:17.10 | 74 | ||
| 4) Alycia Ussery | 21:34.36 | 98 | ||
| 5) Alexis Arai | 21:54.23 | 113 | ||
| Average Time: 21:08.84 Total Time: 1:45:44.21 1-5 Split: 1:28.18 | ||||
| 6) Jackie Buelow | 22:34.78 | 152 | ||
| 7) Avery Waters | 23:07.56 | 183 | ||
| 10 | Flowery Branch (GA) | 383 | ||
| 1) Mariah Millsap | 20:53.00 | 52 | ||
| 2) Erika Plummer | 21:17.00 | 72 | ||
| 3) Hailey Pierson | 21:23.63 | 82 | ||
| 4) Shannon Hoolahan | 21:25.75 | 85 | ||
| 5) Kelly Kritzinger | 21:29.00 | 92 | ||
| Average Time: 21:17.68 Total Time: 1:46:28.38 1-5 Split: 36.00 | ||||
| 6) Ashley Grant | 21:30.00 | 94 | ||
| 7) Sarah Slavik | 22:17.00 | 131 | ||
| 11 | Riverwood International Charter School (GA) | 390 | ||
| 1) Elizabeth Graves | 18:35.39 | 2 | ||
| 2) Anna Hayden | 18:38.94 | 3 | ||
| 3) Anna Walker | 21:44.89 | 106 | ||
| 4) Lainey Young | 22:21.84 | 137 | ||
| 5) Madison McQuary | 22:24.06 | 142 | ||
| Average Time: 20:45.02 Total Time: 1:43:45.12 1-5 Split: 3:48.67 | ||||
| 6) Ansley Tolbert | 23:33.13 | 212 | ||
| 7) Caroline Smith | 23:36.06 | 218 | ||
| 12 | Winder-Barrow HS (GA) | 427 | ||
| 1) Micah Weathers | 19:06.84 | 8 | ||
| 2) Sara Carpenter | 21:12.33 | 66 | ||
| 3) Katie Arradondo | 21:13.31 | 68 | ||
| 4) Hope Richardson | 21:28.42 | 91 | ||
| 5) Summer Bartz | 23:16.53 | 194 | ||
| Average Time: 21:15.49 Total Time: 1:46:17.43 1-5 Split: 4:09.69 | ||||
| 6) Aurora Komeri | 29:46.89 | 415 | ||
| 7) April Andrews | 36:39.46 | 443 | ||
| 13 | Lakeside, Evans (GA) | 445 | ||
| 1) Alyssa Hooker | 18:29.66 | 1 | ||
| 2) Maggie Bembry | 21:15.50 | 71 | ||
| 3) Tamera Mistry | 21:31.13 | 95 | ||
| 4) Caroline Pinson | 21:46.03 | 107 | ||
| 5) Hannah Marionneaux | 22:53.44 | 171 | ||
| Average Time: 21:11.15 Total Time: 1:45:55.76 1-5 Split: 4:23.78 | ||||
| 6) Sydney Spratt | 23:09.65 | 186 | ||
| 7) Maria Liu | 23:41.55 | 229 | ||
| 14 | Woodland (GA) | 572 | ||
| 1) Elizabeth Roberson | 20:49.08 | 49 | ||
| 2) Lindsay Scifers | 21:01.18 | 57 | ||
| 3) Cayla Candelas | 22:03.01 | 120 | ||
| 4) Emily Greulich | 22:18.34 | 133 | ||
| 5) Sydney Owen | 23:33.28 | 213 | ||
| Average Time: 21:56.98 Total Time: 1:49:44.89 1-5 Split: 2:44.20 | ||||
| 6) Karla Alves | 24:11.48 | 246 | ||
| 7) Amelia Payne | 24:43.28 | 275 | ||