4A Cross Country Season Preview


The Start of the 4A boys race last year where Chestatee took home the win (photo by Marc Logan)

I will preface this preview with the comment that it is all based on looking at returning runners from the 2020 season. Surely there will be teams who have incoming runners I do not know about that will shake up this preview and make for a fun season!

2021 4A Boys Cross Country Season Preview

For the boys of 4A, it appears on paper that there are four to five teams who will look to challenge for a podium spot come November. After those teams, there are another 8-9 teams looking to vie for a top 10 team finish come November.

Based solely on returning runners, the clear favorites look to be the boys from Marist. Coach McMurray only returns 3 of their top 7 from last season but Grant Gaffney and Brice Richards look to factor into the War Eagle top 5 this season. Based on returners from last year, Marist is the only team who returns 5 boys who have broken 18 minutes.

Looking to defend their 2020 state title will be the boys from Chestatee. Based on returning runners, it looks like Chestatee is missing the all elusive #5 runner. Chestatee's top 3 returners were all top 10 last year at the State meet. Their #4 returner was a freshman who finished 36th and will surely push up in to the top 20 this year. If Chestatee can find a #5 to add to this group, they could defend their title from a year ago.

After these two teams, there are three teams who look to fight for a podium position. Flowery Branch, Jefferson and Pickens County have podium experience and all look to return the pieces necessary to finish top 4 in November. Flowery Branch (17:36 team avg) and Jefferson (17:47 team avg) look to have a slight edge over Pickens County (18:07 team avg) but the Dragons have shown they know what it takes to get on the podium in November.

After these 5 teams, there are 8 teams looking to find one of the other 5 spots to break in to the top 10. Those teams are Southeast Whitfield (18:39 team avg), Heritage Catoosa (18:39 team avg), Perry (18:38 team avg), West Laurens (18:46 team avg), Columbus (18:52 team avg), Central (18:53 team avg), Cedartown (18:55 team avg) and Druid Hills (18:46 team avg).

2021 4A Girls Cross Country Season Preview

For the girls of 4A, it looks like we could see the same top 5 teams from 2020 finishing in the top 5 team places come November. After these 5 teams, it appears that there are another 6-7 schools vying for a top 10 team finish.

The girls from Marist looked poised to defend their 2020 team title. Could this be the year we see both Marist teams back atop the podium? Only time will tell. The War Eagles return 6 of their top 7 runners from last years state championship team, including 4 of those girls who finished in the top 10 last year. With the depth that Marist usually has on the girls side, barring any injuries or setbacks, this team looks to not only be the top team in 4A but also one of the top teams amongst all classifications.

After Marist it looks like there are 4 other teams who will be challenging for a podium spot. Jefferson (20:18 team avg), Flowery Branch (20:55 team avg), Central (21:44 team avg) and North Oconee (21:51 team avg). Based on returning runner team averages, it looks like Jefferson and Flowery Branch are favored to be on the podium with Central and North Oconee fighting for that coveted 4th spot.

After these 5 teams, it looks like there are 8 teams who could find themselves in one of the other 5 spots within the top 10. Those teams are Druid Hills (22:31 team avg), Columbus (22:52 team avg), Madison County (23:37 team avg), Pickens County (23:40 team avg), Southeast Whitfield (23:59 team avg), Lagrange (23:58 team avg), Perry (23:55 team avg) and Heritage Catoosa (24:07 team avg).

Best of luck to all teams this fall!