This is going to be one of, if not the fastest Girls race of the meet upfront as 8 girls have pr's under 19 minutes with 3 going sub 18: !
Landmark is healthy and dangerous again (photo by Daniel McCauley)
Girls Team-
This is Landmark Christian's race to lose after their 19:12 average at Region. Everyone in the top 5 had solid races, especially their 4 & 5's Mary Kellison Thorn and Lindsay Biggar. With their power trio up front digging in for top 5 places the Eagles are a cinch barring someone falling & getting injured or ending up in the Creek.
Landmark has a potent 3-some surrounding Williams of AIS (L-R) Kathryn Foreman, Nicole Fegans and Sarah Foreman (photo by Daniel MCauley)
Hebron Christian won 8-A and should be well rested to attempt hanging around between Landmark's 3 & 4. They will need to fill that gap with their top 5 to have any chance at a title. Athens Academy bested Providence Christian at Region without Block and could motor into 2nd if Hebron falters. If they run well Atlanta International has a shot at sneaking up on PCA and making the Podium. The remaining top 10 team places should be well contested with Paideia and Galloway a leg up Mount Paran, Mount Pisgah and Mount De Sales. A number of 'Watch List' teams will have a chance to crack the top 10 as very little separates them from the ranked Mount trio.
Girls Individual-
Anna Marian Block of Athens Academy (photo by Daniel McCauley)
If you're not there early, one may miss out on a potentially epic 'race of the ages' for the Individual title. Its Anna Marian Block of Athens Academy (18:28 at Last Chance), Helen Williams of AIS (18:02 at Region 5-A) and defending Champ Emma Grace Hurley of Fellowship Christian (17:23 at Warpath) who will lace it up to decide who's the best. The top time of the day could come out of this race if the course continues to deteriorate thru the day. Block and Williams have not competed head to head in XC this Fall. Block whipped Hurley at Last Chance comfortably. Hurley has defeated Williams twice this season, at Wingfoot & earlier at the Mercy Invite, but Williams looked like a running machine at 5-A.
Helen Williams of Atlanta International (photo by Daniel McCauley)
Landmark's power trio may be led by Nicole Fegans who was dominant early in the season with a pr of 18:15 at at&t Panther and took 2nd at Region. Former Foot Locker finalist Kathryn Foreman has battled thru nagging injuries, but pr'd at 5-A (18:45) Sarah Foreman won a couple of Invites back in mid-season and sports a pr of 18:48 also at 5-A. Sophia West of Paideia placed 5th at Region and pr'd at Asics in 18:36. Frosh Mattie Harris from Calvary Day out of Savannah is a 'wild card' in the mix with a season best of 18:58 at Saucony Kickoff Classic. Fighting for All-State honors may be Emily Swanigan of PCA, Mary Kellison Thorn, Tanner Guest of ACS, Breck Jones of North Cobb Christian, Faith Siror from Mount De Sales and Maddy Howe of Hebron Christian. Below is a list of the top 25 runners who got out of their Region.
Emma Grace Hurley of Fellowship Christian (photo by Daniel McCauley)
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18:02.24 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 18:14.93 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 18:28.83 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 18:45.04 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 18:48.97 | 2018 | ||
| 6 | 18:53.32 | 2018 | ||
| 7 | 19:17.22 | 2018 | ||
| 8 | 19:57.71 | 2019 | ||
| 9 | 20:04.74 | 2018 | ||
| 10 | 20:22.74 | 2016 | ||
| 11 | 20:31.60 | 2016 | ||
| 12 | 20:38.02 | 2017 | ||
| 13 | 20:43.02 | 2018 | ||
| 14 | 20:43.61 | 2018 | ||
| 15 | 20:45.82 | 2017 | ||
| 16 | 20:48.25 | 2018 | ||
| 17 | 20:51.27 | 2017 | ||
| 18 | 20:53.60 | 2018 | ||
| 19 | 20:54.39 | 2018 | ||
| 20 | 20:59.57 | 2018 | ||
| 21 | 21:04.28 | 2018 | ||
| 22 | 21:05.64 | 2016 | ||
| 23 | 21:07.25 | 2016 | ||
| 24 | 21:15.78 | 2018 | ||
| 25 | 21:22.08 | 2017 |