A Private Girls Preview

Last year, under the tremendous guidance of Coach Bill Thorn, the Landmark Christian Lady War Eagles scored an incredible 25 points and beat Wesleyan by a whopping 108 points (which could be a record in Georgia for biggest margin of victory at the State Championships). This year the Golden Bears of Holy Innocents' will keep the score much closer and could even knock off the three-time defending State Champs with a great race.  As seen by the preview above both teams have legitimate front runners but the team title could come down to Jenny Goodwin (Landmark #5) versus Holy Innocents' pack of Caroline Lyles, Saffy Bashey and Erin Hill (who all were ahead of Goodwin at the Area 3 Meet).  HIES will need help from other teams to record the upset but it is possible.  Look for a very exciting last 400 for both Landmark and Holy Innocents' tomorrow morning.  Right now, Landmark is the favorite as Holy Innocents' will need some help from the field to win the race.

 As of right now the final two spots on the podium should go to Athens Academy and Providence Christian Academy (who were 15^th at the State Meet last year).  Giving Athens Academy a strong edge for 3^rd in the Team Race is the strength of their Senior front-runners Emily Elder and Anna Marian Block (who both will be in the top 8 tomorrow).  Senior Sara Irvine had a great race at the Area 2 meet and is rounding into top form at the right time and also could be a difference maker for the Spartans tomorrow.  Finally, freshmen Lucy Waugh is coming on at the perfect time and could contribute tomorrow as well.  The front-runners give the Spartans the edge over Providence for 3^rd place tomorrow and a darkhorse pick to win it all.

 Providence Christian Academy led by the Freshmen Trio of Woollery (see above), Ayden Drake and Taylor Simmons.  It would take a great race for the freshmen trio to take down the Athens Senior trio above but look for these super frosh to guide Providence to the last podium spot.  Also contributing tomorrow for the Storm and Head Coach Scott Williams will be sophomore Maddie Wheatly.

 Wesleyan is the one school that could sneak into the podium on their tremendous pack running.  Coach Chad McDaniel's group had the best 1-5 split last year at State to earn runner-ups and could do the same again this year.  Unfortunately for the Wolves that may keep them off the podium this year as others have improved.  To show what they can do, Wesleyan had a tremendous 50 second 1-5 split at the Area 3 meet but Providence and Athens Academy had too much firepower up front.  Freshmen Caitlin Kelly could have a break out race tomorrow and help the Wolves. Look for the strong pack of Mikayla John, Ashley Doran, Mary Ann Manley, Miller Louthan and Quinn Kaloper tomorrow. They are a definite Super 6 team but lack the firepower to contend for the podium unless someone falters above them (due to heat, going out too fast, etc).

 Fellowship Christian will battle Wesleyan for the 5^th spot tomorrow and could definitely be a Super 6 team.  They had a 22 Flat Team Average in winning the Darlington Area Meet.  They have been led all year by the freshmen/senior combo of Caroline Keim and Sami Rickheim (who both will vie for Top 20 honors Friday).  With only 16 teams in Friday's Single A Private Race that makes it extremely hard for Fellowship or Wesleyan to catch Providence Christian or Athens Academy for the podium.  Races are run on the course and not on paper so look for one of these teams above to prove otherwise.

 Area 3 Teams Paideia and Galloway will battle for Elite 8 spots Friday at the State Meet.  Paideia (you can read about their front runners above) may have the slight advantage over Galloway but both teams should be in the Elite 8 Friday.  West and Walter will lead the way for Coach Sautter's Phytons while Sami Krinsky, Sophie Crane and Alandra Anderson will lead the way for the Scots.

 Other teams that could make the Top 10 are Darlington and Savannah Christian Prep.  The Raiders of Savannah will need a rebound race from Alexa Staudt to move into the Elite 8.  She certainly has been their number one runner for the majority of the year and this team could be the biggest surprise Friday morning in Carrollton.

Top Individuals

Girls Single A Private boasts some of the best individual talent in all of Georgia and this year this is no definite individual favorite for the State Championship.  Senior and Georgia commit Anna Marian Block (Athens Academy) is one of the co-favorites along with Seniors Sophia West (Paideia) and Mary Kellison Thorne (Landmark Christian). Thorne has been racing the best in the last month and for most would be considered the slight favorite but never count out the talent of Block or West.  Right behind the three seniors are Sarah Foreman (Landmark), Erin Fegans (Landmark), Jackie Addy (Holy Innocents' Episcopal) and Reagan Mahoney (Atlanta International School). They all  could also easily be in the lead pack and all will contend for top 5 honors.  The State Champion will come from those 7 student-athletes.  Other runners that will be in the chase pack include Emily Elder (Athens Academy), Emily L. Little (Whitefield), Jennifer Woollery (Providence Christian), Hayden Puett (Holy Innocents'), Lindsay Biggar (Landmark), Jordan Walter (Paideia) and Bryn Foster (Holy Innocents').  Out of this group will come the remaining All-State athletes.

(October Races Only)