In only its third year, Woodstock High School's Battle of the Fairways is quickly gaining regard joining the Atlanta Classic and Pickens Preview as a popular option on the opening weekend. This year, 18 teams, including 8 ranked schools will compete to bring home the first trophies of the season. On the boys side, preseason top ranked Alexander (class 6A) will lead out a strong pack. Alexander returns 4 sub-17 runners led by Braeden Collins, a top 10 state finisher in 2015. They will look to control the pack in the on the tough 2 mile Fairway's course. Looking to break up the Alexander pack will be 3 teams including host and 2 time defending Fairway's champion, Woodstock (#8 ranked in 7A). Leading Woodstock will be Austin Bailey and Josiah Jaqua. Bailey finished 2nd in last year's race to Woodstock graduate, Corey Champion. Also chasing Alexander will be Walton (#6 ranked in 7A) led by seniors Andrew Singh and Ben Dahlgren. Walton will be depending on strong performances from their second group if they want to win. Also contending will be 9th ranked Mill Creek. With only one sub-17 runner, Mill Creek's strength is in numbers and will depend on the team to perform well if they want to contend. Competing for the individual win, Pace Academy's Jack Douglass, a top 5 state finisher, should be able to run with top contenders like Collins, Sing, Bailey and Alexander's Whorton.
The girls' side features a three team battle with 8th ranked Walton (7A) looking like the team to beat on paper. Walton sports a trio of runners who have broken the 20 minute barrier led by junior, Kate Richards. However, Woodstock's girls will look to give the Raiders a run for their money. Returning champion, Brynne Sumner leads strong top 3, so the runs of their 4th and 5th will be pivotal. Also looking to contend is a resurgent Cherokee squad led by junior RaeAnna Starosciak. Cherokee will need to outpace one of their county rivals and 9th ranked Alexander (6A) if it wants to take home a trophy. 6A State Champion Mill Creek is not sending a team. Also, those wanting to see the debut of two time middle school champion, Nyah Hernandez of Creekview (#3 in 6A) will have to wait a week as Coach Haughey's squad is only sending JV runners to the event. Other possible contenders to the individual crown include Roswell senior Kara Coulter and Top 10 state placer Olivia Terwilliger of Kell. They will look to chase down Sumner on Friday evening.