2019 6A Boys Video
6A Boys
Class 6A will close out day one of the GHSA Cross Country state championships. From top to bottom this class is the 2nd fastest only behind ultra-large 7A schools. There is hope for every school in the field as 2019 champ Harrison is now up in 7A mixing it up with the 'big boys'. Thus, a new champ will be crowned early Friday afternoon. There is a detailed 'Virtual Meet' below.
Top Teams in Contention for Podium Spots
There seems to be no clear cut favorite after region meets, which should make for a tight race. After running a detailed 'virtual meet' things weren't much clearer as not everyone raced at Coach Wood and/or Asics. Below are the squads that have legitimate shots of being in the top four and possibly contending for the team title.
Carrollton- The Trojans moved to the top of the team rankings after Coach Wood, and followed that up by defeating Alexander at region 5 in a tight race. This contest was also at McIntosh Nature Reserve (which is fast.) Carrollton has come on strong in October. They have a home course advantage Friday. Top runner Collin Jones will also be in the mix for an individual title.
Alexander- The Cougars have been ranked #2 nearly all of October. They sport a deeper squad than Carrollton, a faster team average, and a tighter 1-5 split. This is could be a big factor in a race having 56 athletes with sub 17:00 season bests. Grant Crabtree and Jaden Harris are their top runners
Cambridge- The Bears concluded the regular season ranked 7th but rose up in region 7 taking the team title. They have the 2nd fastest team average and a very tight 1-5 split of 31.96 seconds. Cambridge won 6A state back in 2017 led by Jack Filan. The Bears top harrier in 2020 is junior, Lyle Donovan (16:21)
Richmond Hill - The Wildcats from east Georgia only mixed it up twice against other top 6A squads in 2020 at Alexander/Asics and Carrollton Ortho way back on 9-12. They have posted a fast team time at Wayne County (fast course) but, run very well as a pack which helps at State'. Their entire top 5 have gone sub 17:00 this season, including top runner Corey Adamski (16:23)
North Atlanta- The Warriors easily won region 4 on a venue labeled as 'Arabia Mountain Course'. They ended up ranked 3rd after Week 10 when they defeated Pope in the 'D' race at Coach Wood. Ethan Curnow is their best runner, taking the overall win at the region meet, and sports a PR of 16:07 at Asics.
Pope- The Hounds' lost some major firepower from their 2019 squad (which won 6A State' in 2018) This is a young squad with 3 sophs in their top 5. They won region 6 at Allatoona Park by 15 points and their tight pack makes them a threat Friday. Top harriers for Pope are the soph duo of Benny Brenneman (16:50) and Carter Sphon (16:55)
Top Individuals to Watch:
All of these guys below have raced against each other at least once this season at either Asics or Coach Wood and will toe the line again Friday in a final 'rubber match' They should form a strong lead pack through at least Mile 1 and push Jones.
Collin Jones (Carrollton)- Jones has a full plate in this race, as his squad will be engaged in an all-out team race battle behind this group, while he will be on another island trying to emerge as the final survivor and win the overall championship. SB of 15:30 (Region)
Jonathan Greene (Evans)- Greene has enjoyed 2 strong seasons of XC and Evans could make the top 10 as well. SB of 15:36 (Asics), but a 2019 PR (15:24)
Andrew Kivett (Habersham Central)- Kivett will be the 'Lone Raider' repping Habersham Central at 2020 State'. He won 4 races this year including the North Georgia Championships. SB of 15:38 (and they train on hills in Cornelia)
Grant Crabtree (Alexander)- Crabtree will be a key factor in how the Cougars fare this coming Friday. He's made big strides in 2020, going from a 4:56 spring track 1600, down to an SB of 15:47 at Asics.
Patrick Motes (Rome)- Motes is the top runner from the northwest area of the state. He won Bob Blastow (3-mile) in 15:18 and has gone sub 16:00 thrice in 2020, with a SB of 15:50 at Coach Wood.
Ben Butcher (Dacula)- Butcher finished in the top 3 five times in 2020, including a win at Pickens and Grinnin' on 10/17. He has a SB of 15:55 recorded at Asics.