Georgia's Best Hopes for a Male National Finalist

Bruce Taylor

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Joshua Brickell

It has been 4 years since a GHSA/GISA male has qualified for Nationals, when Joshua Brickell of Peachtree Ridge took 2nd posting a 14:49 and Brad Hort of McIntosh 6th at 14:59. The best effort anyone has had since was Kaleb McLeod of Trinity Christian back in 14th last Fall. Here are 3 of our best hopes to Q' for Nationals this Saturday at McAlpine Park, also will conditions hold up (smoke) for optimal racing. NC Wildfires Some hopeful news is that 7 of the top 10 from 2015 have graduated, opening up some spots...


Jacob McLeod of Trinity Christian- Its almost a toss up between McLeod and Kennedy. But, Jacob ran away with the Meet of Champions, as Kennedy shut it down around the 2 Mile and dnf the race. McLeod will also be seeking to better his older brother's 14th place finish in 2015. McLeod was dominant at Coach Wood, GISA and MOC. He has been getting coached up by Ron Clanton (formerly of Peachtree Ridge- BRICKELL's coach as well.) and Evan Winegarner. 

JACOB MCLEODCHASE KENNEDY
Trinity Christian SchoolSchoolEast Jackson High School
Dublin, GAHometownCommerce, GA
USANative CountryUSA
2018HS Class2017
30Major Wins54
5thXC Average Place6th
4thTrack Average Place3rd
HEAD TO HEAD
3,200 Meter Run
 9:28.28Jerry Arnold Georgia Challenge (2016)9:28.68
9:20.47Georgia HS Meet of Champions (2016)9:18.99 
5,000 Meter Run (xc)
15:24.19Alexander / Asics Invitational (2016)15:23.98 
PERSONAL BESTS
1:01.34400 Meter Dash--
1:58.64800 Meter Run1:58.30 
4:22.861,600 Meter Run4:13.91 
4:33.70One Mile Run4:21.87 
8:26.302500 Meter Run (xc)--
9:48.003,000 Meter Run (xc)--
10:57.003,200 Meter Run (xc)--
9:17.943,200 Meter Run9:17.09 
 11:53.89Two Mile Run (xc)14:12.65
9:40.37Two Mile Run--
12:59.604000 Meter Run (xc)--
16:35.03Three Mile Run (xc)--
15:09.715,000 Meter Run (xc)14:57.13 
BY GRADE
6th Grade
9:34.772500 Meter Run (xc)--
10:20.133,000 Meter Run (xc)--
7th Grade
8:46.032500 Meter Run (xc)--
11:53.89Two Mile Run (xc)--
5:08.381,600 Meter Run--
10:57.913,200 Meter Run--
8th Grade
8:26.302500 Meter Run (xc)--
9:48.003,000 Meter Run (xc)--
10:57.003,200 Meter Run (xc)--
--Two Mile Run (xc)14:12.65
16:35.03Three Mile Run (xc)--
16:26.225,000 Meter Run (xc)--
1:01.34400 Meter Dash--
2:02.00800 Meter Run--
4:52.701,600 Meter Run--
10:04.003,200 Meter Run--
Freshman
12:59.604000 Meter Run (xc)--
 16:33.015,000 Meter Run (xc)16:35.60
 2:04.86800 Meter Run2:10.38
4:37.861,600 Meter Run4:25.45 
9:56.783,200 Meter Run9:53.39 
Sophomore
15:52.405,000 Meter Run (xc)15:49.00 
 1:58.64800 Meter Run1:58.86
4:22.861,600 Meter Run4:21.36 
4:33.70One Mile Run4:22.20 
 9:17.943,200 Meter Run9:27.50
9:40.37Two Mile Run--
Junior
 15:09.715,000 Meter Run (xc)15:32.21
--800 Meter Run1:58.30
--1,600 Meter Run4:13.91
--One Mile Run4:21.87
--3,200 Meter Run9:17.09
Senior
--5,000 Meter Run (xc)14:57.13
SEASON BESTS
2011 Cross Country
9:34.772500 Meter Run--
10:20.133,000 Meter Run--
2012 Cross Country
8:46.032500 Meter Run--
 11:53.89Two Mile Run14:12.65
2013 Cross Country
8:26.302500 Meter Run--
9:48.003,000 Meter Run--
10:57.003,200 Meter Run--
16:35.03Three Mile Run--
 16:26.225,000 Meter Run16:35.60
2013 Outdoor Track & Field
5:08.381,600 Meter Run--
10:57.913,200 Meter Run--
2014 Cross Country
12:59.604000 Meter Run--
16:33.015,000 Meter Run15:49.00 
2014 Outdoor Track & Field
1:01.34400 Meter Dash--
 2:02.00800 Meter Run2:10.38
4:52.701,600 Meter Run4:25.45 
10:04.003,200 Meter Run9:53.39 
2015 Cross Country
15:52.405,000 Meter Run15:32.21 
2015 Outdoor Track & Field
2:04.86800 Meter Run1:58.86 
4:37.861,600 Meter Run4:21.36 
--One Mile Run4:22.20
9:56.783,200 Meter Run9:27.50 
2016 Cross Country
15:09.715,000 Meter Run14:57.13 
2016 Outdoor Track & Field
1:58.64800 Meter Run1:58.30 
4:22.861,600 Meter Run4:13.91 
4:33.70One Mile Run4:21.87 
9:17.943,200 Meter Run9:17.09 
9:40.37Two Mile Run--



(photo by Daniel McCauley)
Chase Kennedy of East Jackson- Kennedy has enjoyed a great season, typically taking it out hard, developing a gap, and holding off any late charges. He has narrowly defeated McLeod at Alexander/Asics. he seemed to suffer some kind of pull at Meet of Champions, but easily won the USATF JO XC Regional last Saturday in Tallahassee. How Chase does may well depend on his style of racing holding up at McAlpine Park. His Coach is Tomy Sitton, who also has coached the National 10K team recently.

CHASE KENNEDYSAM BOWERS
East Jackson High SchoolSchoolMilton High School
Commerce, GAHometownMilton, GA
USANative CountryUSA
2017HS Class2018
54Major Wins8
6thXC Average Place18th
3rdTrack Average Place6th
HEAD TO HEAD
3,200 Meter Run
 9:17.09Georgia Olympics (2016)9:22.00
5,000 Meter Run (xc)
 16:42.91GHSA State Cross Country Championships (2014)17:48.59
 15:49.00Foot Locker South Regional (2014)16:34.00
17:12.70Wingfoot XC Classic (2015)17:01.40 
 15:32.80Wingfoot XC Classic (2016)15:40.00
 16:01.58GHSA State Cross Country Championships (2016)16:07.35
PERSONAL BESTS
1:58.30800 Meter Run--
 4:13.911,600 Meter Run4:25.18
--One Mile Run (in)4:33.73
4:21.87One Mile Run--
--2000 Meter Run (xc)12:01.26
--3,000 Meter Run (xc)10:24.00
 9:17.093,200 Meter Run9:22.00
14:12.65Two Mile Run (xc)--
--Two Mile Run (in)10:43.01
--4000 Meter Run (xc)13:41.50
--Three Mile Run (xc)15:38.24
 14:57.135,000 Meter Run (xc)15:23.50
--5,000 Meter Run15:46.95
BY GRADE
7th Grade
--3,000 Meter Run (xc)10:56.84
--4000 Meter Run (xc)14:28.39
8th Grade
--2000 Meter Run (xc)12:01.26
--3,000 Meter Run (xc)10:24.00
14:12.65Two Mile Run (xc)--
--4000 Meter Run (xc)13:41.50
--1,600 Meter Run5:05.92
Freshman
16:35.605,000 Meter Run (xc)16:04.66 
--Two Mile Run (in)10:43.01
2:10.38800 Meter Run--
 4:25.451,600 Meter Run4:39.93
 9:53.393,200 Meter Run9:57.69
Sophomore
--Three Mile Run (xc)16:37.24
 15:49.005,000 Meter Run (xc)15:59.83
--One Mile Run (in)4:33.73
1:58.86800 Meter Run--
 4:21.361,600 Meter Run4:25.18
4:22.20One Mile Run--
9:27.503,200 Meter Run9:22.00 
--5,000 Meter Run15:46.95
Junior
--Three Mile Run (xc)15:38.24
15:32.215,000 Meter Run (xc)15:23.50 
1:58.30800 Meter Run--
4:13.911,600 Meter Run--
4:21.87One Mile Run--
9:17.093,200 Meter Run--
Senior
14:57.135,000 Meter Run (xc)--
SEASON BESTS
2012 Cross Country
--3,000 Meter Run10:56.84
14:12.65Two Mile Run--
--4000 Meter Run14:28.39
2013 Cross Country
--2000 Meter Run12:01.26
--3,000 Meter Run10:24.00
--4000 Meter Run13:41.50
16:35.605,000 Meter Run--
2014 Cross Country
 15:49.005,000 Meter Run16:04.66
2014 Outdoor Track & Field
2:10.38800 Meter Run--
 4:25.451,600 Meter Run5:05.92
9:53.393,200 Meter Run--
2015 Cross Country
--Three Mile Run16:37.24
 15:32.215,000 Meter Run15:59.83
2015 Indoor Track & Field
--Two Mile Run10:43.01
2015 Outdoor Track & Field
1:58.86800 Meter Run--
 4:21.361,600 Meter Run4:39.93
4:22.20One Mile Run--
 9:27.503,200 Meter Run9:57.69
2016 Cross Country
--Three Mile Run15:38.24
 14:57.135,000 Meter Run15:23.50
2016 Indoor Track & Field
--One Mile Run4:33.73
2016 Outdoor Track & Field
1:58.30800 Meter Run--
 4:13.911,600 Meter Run4:25.18
4:21.87One Mile Run--
 9:17.093,200 Meter Run9:22.00
--5,000 Meter Run15:46.95



Sam Bowers of Milton- Bowers has went head to head against both McLeod (at Coach Wood) placing 2nd, but defeated Jacob at Foot Locker in 2015. Bowers also went heads up against Kennedy at the Wingfoot XC Classic :08 back at 15:40. Bowers strength tends to lie in the hills and his 3rd mile. Bowers has been coached by Bill Mara and Andy Carr.

Team Georgia - Boys
Jacob Mcleod - Trinity Christian School
Ben McCoy - Blessed Trinity
Chase Condra - Peachtree Ridge High School
Chase Kennedy - East Jackson High School
Darr Smith - Johnson Ferry Christian Academy
Dax Willette - Rockdale Co.
Jacob Poston - Dawson County
Michael Malkowski - Milton High School
Sam Bowers - Milton High School
Sam Ellis - Decatur High School
Tyler Fox - Lambert HS
Andrew Singh - Walton High School
Kaleb Wolfendon - Lowndes High School
Sean Parker - Pickens County
Issac Hernandez - Johnson HS