MS Boys race down the 'Cochran Cliff in 2014! (photo by Daniel McCauley)
Over 1800 athletes from 110 MS teams will make the trek down to Cochran, Ga to decide who are the 2015 Middle School State Team & Individual Champions. The weather channel predicts perfect Fall conditions with Sunny skies, lows at 54, highs at 70 with cool breezes up to 8mph.
_(1).jpg)
THE NEW COURSE LAYOUT
The course has been altered from last season to be faster and more fan friendly. The new course is challenging, but fun... It can get tight on the back side of that 2nd lap, as the leaders have, and in a couple of races, caught the tail end of the first lap runners. However, they are visible and have been easily turned in the correct direction. This course gives runners a true test over a wide variety of challenges, including fast flats, downhills, grueling uphills, hard packed footing along with loose sandy spots. Depending on the weather, their is a possibility of some slick muddy areas... This course is very spectator friendly from the field, where the teams set up their tents and hanging on the fence at the finish line areas. (No one is allowed on the other side of the fence other than 'official media' approved by Coach Cranford and Ga.MileSplit.com)
The course will be open from 3:30 P.M. till dark on Friday. The turn flags will be down, but some Bleckley's HS runners will be around to try and answer any questions that may arise. Please feel free to stop any of them and ask if there is any confusion about the course. Bleckley County's XC programs want everyone to have a great race. The course will be open Saturday morning from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., which is when the 5th grade and under race begins. Their course will be a little less than a mile at .91
OVERVIEW:
The Medium School (3A-4A) races will kickoff the MS races after the Elementary race. The Large Schools will follow (5A-6A) with the Small School races closing out the meet (run last) will have the most participants with the Medium School races less congested. Its difficult to access how the Large School race will go teamwise as well as the Medium schools. Small schools have a clearer picture as many of the GHSA Private schools have active MS Programs.
LARGE SCHOOL:
Large School Clubs (many) have regrouped into their respective Middle schools they attend and have to be some of the favorites. Lovinggood's Girls won the Ga.MileSplit meet last Saturday. Last year's top 5A-6A feeder Boys teams were: Gray Station MS, Dean Rusk and Pine Grove MS. Last year's top Girls squads (5A-6A) were Woodland Euharlee, Vickery Creek MS and Lovinggood. For the Large School boys, lookout for Piney Grove MS (Cumming/Great Strides), Burney Harris Lyons & Woodland Euharlee.
Top Individuals in the Large School races could be:
Boys
Michael Patterson of Piney Grove MS
Brian Pelland of Alpha Crush
Zachary Quick of Burney Harris
Ketorian Cooper of Burney Harris
Sully Shelton of Jr Hoyas
Brennan Bower of Piney Grove MS
Carson Locke of Pine Grove MS (valdosta)
Girls
Nyah Hernandez (Individual slated to attend Creekview)
Caroline Patterson of Great Trides/Piney Grove)
Sidney Runyan (Individual slated to attend Etowah HS)
Emily Golden of Tift MS
Grace Ellsworth of Lovinggood MS
Rylee Evans of Woodland Euharlee
Makena Gates of Creekview
Carli Clymer of Woodland Euharlee
MEDIUM SCHOOL:
One should look for the usual suspects to be favored in the Medium school (3A-4A) races including repeat champion Marist, Westminster's Boys, Cartersville, Jefferson and Woodward to do well.
Top Individuals in the Medium school race could be:
Girls
Katherine Vuckovic of Westminster (Atlanta)
Jewellee Love of East Jackson MS (6th grader, could be a sleeper..)
Tess Cochran of Adairsville MS
Kelsey Morse of Malcom Bridge
Brianna Zupko of Worth MS
Abby Babaz of Marist
Boys
Henry Plowden of Westover MS
Davis Kay of TJ Elder (WACO)
Alex Thomas of Malcom Bridge
Tait Ellingson (unattached) ? not sure of HS, could be wrong race
Zachary Roe of Westminster
Sobe Strong of East Jackson MS (another budding EJ runner under Tomy Sitton)
Hunter Lindsay of TJ Elder MS
Jackson Mudd of Marist
SMALL SCHOOL:
The top Girls Small School squads could come from Paideia, who has won 2 Invites this year (Aubrae Gunderson and Strong Rock) Hebron Christian, whose program has really blossomed recently, Landmark Christian, Holy Innocents, Lovett, Athens Christian and host Bleckley County MS.
2014's top squads for the Small School Girls were defending champ Hebron Christian, ACS, First Presbyterian, Holy Innocents, Lovett and Pace Academy. On the Boys side returning this Fall are Landmark Christian, ACS, Paideia and Holy Innocents.
Top Individuals to look out for for Small School races:
Boys:
Jaime Jacoby of George Walton
Zack Truitt of Landmark Christian
Seth Brahney of Mount De Sales
Blake Fugel of Hebron Christian
Ethan Selph (unattached)
Elijah McCauley of Paideia
Girls:
Eliza Harmon of Holy Innocents
Faith Bobak (unattached from near Ellijay)
Laura Romig of Pace Academy
Annlisa Heiss of Athens Christian
Jordan Walter of Paideia (ran in Europe last year)
Brooklyn Fugel of Hebron Christian
Claire McGuirt of Hebron Christian
Look for a HUGE Photo Gallery late Saturday and finish line video from each race Sunday! Results will be posted immediately following the conclusion of the meet! Patrons, please be mindful of the vols at the main junction area to not cross the course impeding any runners. They are just doing their job...