2020 GHSA XC State Meet: 6A Girls Meet Preview


2019 6A Girls State Video

After a head-spinning all-out battle royale' at region 7, one may hope for a repeat at state on Friday. You may very well get it, as squads push it to earn the team 'Podium' spots for 3rd and 4th. Click on the very detailed 'Virtual Meet' we composed and it's going to get hairy as squads fly down the finishing hill trying to pass runners.

Teams in Contention for Podium Spots


Pope- The Lady Hounds' have been ranked #1 since the Week 5 team rankings and no team other than Riverwood has shown any signs of closing the large gap the Hound's set early in the season. Pope could place as many as 4 runners in the top 10 spots. Sophie Boice is their #1 and will be in the hunt for the overall win.



Riverwood
- The Lady Raiders have shown much improvement this Fall, from being unranked in Week 6 and racing up the ladder to #2 in October. They feature a strong top three but don't have the depth to challenge a deep Pope squad. Elle Mezzio is the star of the show and will be one of several girls pushing Gates of Creekview upfront. 

Cambridge- After losing the core of their 2017-2019 state championship teams, Cambridge has reloaded. The Lady Bears will be engaged in an all-out scrap with Allatoona, River Ridge, Sequoyah, and Lakeside DeKalb. They barely escaped that fray in region 7, placing 4th and advancing to Carrollton. Soph Anna Filipek is their top runner with a SB of 19:33 at Asics. 

Allatoona- The Lady Bucs' came out of region 6 finishing a strong 2nd behind Pope with a 20:55 team average at Allatoona Creek Park. They were consistently ranked 4th/5th during October, and if they stay consistent, could be on the team Podium after the race Friday. Their 1-5 split is better than Cambridge, River Ridge, Sequoyah, and Lakeside. They do have a strong 1-2 punch in Kelsey Grass and Abigail Curtain.

River Ridge/Sequoyah/Lakeside DeKalb- I am combining these three bubble squads, because, in the detailed virtual meet we ran, they were separated by only 1.5 points. It's going to depend on who 'wants it more', team health and luck. It's very possible and likely one or more of these squads could sneak up on both Allatoona and Cambridge. Lakeside may have the advantage of having the best 1-5 split. River Ridge does have a 'low-stick' in senior, Ciara Miles who clocked an 18:52 at Asics.

Detailed Virtual Meet of 6A Girls

Top Individuals to Watch:


Makena Gates (Creekview)
- Gates made her presence known by winning MS State back in 2016 and followed that up taking GHSA State titles in 2017, 2018, and runner-up in 2019. She's also has been Georgia's fastest girl at Foot Locker South in 2018/2019. Gates has a SB of 17:50 at Pickens and Grinnin'.

Elle Mezzio (Riverwood)- the Riverwood Senior has won 4 races this season including Wingfoot XC Classic posting an 18:58. Elle has led the Riverwood squad to a #2 team ranking in 6A, and sports a SB time of 18:08 at Asics.

Sophie Boice (Pope)- Boice has won 4 races this Fall, including the Cobb County Championships and region 6-AAAAAA. She has a swift SB effort of 18:16 at Coach Wood and will be leading the Lady Hounds' efforts at Carrollton to break Cambridge's streak of 3 6A team titles.

Catherine Townsend (North Atlanta)- Just a freshman, Townsend has contended all season to win an invitational, but fell just short. Gaining valuable experience that she put to good use at region 4 finally tasting victory. Her SB time is 18:30 at Asics. 


Simone Rojas (Evans)- In 2019, Rojas was Evans' #3 runner. Simone is by far the most (elite) improved 6A female runner of the year. Evans HS (Augusta area) actually traveled 4 times this season to compete at Georgia's biggest invites and Rojas made the most of those experiences. The senior has a SB of 18:32 achieved at Coach Wood.