Boys Team
Lightning detectors. Unbearable heat. The undeniable smells of sweat and nasty running shoes that haven't been replaced since Track season. Yup - it's August in Georgia, and Cross Country season is about to get underway! We've got a handful of squads making their debuts this weekend while most are waiting until 8/20 or 8/27 to kick off their campaigns. To give everyone a fair shake, I'll be previewing all teams fresh off of two metrics: Returning 5k PRs from XC 2021 and returning 1600m times from Track 2022. I know, I know - the 3200m is a better metric, but since some athletes gravitate towards the 800m, they may not run a 3200m all season... but basically everyone runs the 1600m. It's another pretty wide-open year for the boys (maybe more so than last year), but I do already see a pretty solid top 4 teams + a gap. Either way, it's time to get this party started!
Returning 1600m Metric: 1st
Returning 5000m Metric: 4th
We begin in familiar territory with Marietta, last year's State runner-up to Mill Creek. The always dangerous Blue Devils seem to reload constantly, and this year is no different. Jared Fortenberry features as among the favorites to contend for the individual title and is the top returner from last year's senior heavy top 10 individuals at Carrollton. A 4:15 to end his Track season is nothing to scoff at either. Where this year's Marietta team differs though is the comparatively unproven supporting cast. Names like Hines Doyle, Jack Boland, and Jack Baltz have been seen among Marietta's top echelon for a year or so, but now they're truly going to be called upon to step in a championship role. Fortenberry will offer the low stick, but Marietta's title chances will rest heavily on their supporting cast. I foresee another +100 score winning State for 7A boys this year, and for Marietta, getting ahead of the traffic will be critical.
Returning 1600m Metric: 3rd
Returning 5000m Metric: 1st
We shift to unfamiliar territory in 7A newcomer Carrollton who has quietly been prepping themselves for a title run. Coach Jimmy Sorrells has himself a talented roster and returns a slew of talent from last year's squad. They may not have a true individual contender (and that's no disrespect to top guys Noah Martinson, Joshua Sipes, Daniel Neill, and Hagan Russell), but they could arguably have the best #5 runner on paper which is dangerous. Plus, we can't discount the inherent "homefield" advantage given they are also the host school. Those that have been paying close attention have seen Carrollton coming, and those that haven't - well, you're welcome - and you're also in for a treat as I have to believe this squad is hungry and willing to bully themselves into the title conversation.
Returning 1600m Metric: 2nd
Returning 5000m Metric: 3rd
Historically, when you think depth and championship caliber, you think Brookwood. They haven't quite had the title level talent the last few years, but expect them to be back in full force this year. This team began making some splashes last year but were "a year away" from true contention, and now that year is up, and here we are. Brookwood features 4 sub 4:40 / sub 16:50 runners led by 14th place State XC finisher Charlie Thomas. A host of others including Carter Dehnke, Austin Dezwart, Truitt Fowler, and Don Presley will fit into the fold along with rapidly improving sophomore Alexander Thompson. This is easily the deepest squad in 7A this year and definitely shows shades of "classic Brookwood". Tradition is important to the Broncos, and expect them to pay some homage to the teams of the past with a strong season in 2022.
Returning 1600m Metric: 4th
Returning 5000m Metric: 2nd
Lambert is another squad that was a year away last year, and they want their opportunity to contend again, too. Jackson Hogsed has true stud potential and must be considered a strong top 10 threat assuming a big summer for the sophomore. Kushan Patel, Reid Latimer, and Matthew Miller will also feature heavily for the Longhorns. At least on paper, they don't appear to have a surefire #5 yet, but the remaining supporting cast has plenty of athletes that can rise to the occasion, so you have to believe they'll figure that problem out. I think they may have the biggest "upside" among the top 4 teams outlined here, but it should be noted: These aforementioned 4 teams are the *only* 4 teams that feature in the top 4 in either of my research metrics - meaning on paper, we've already got our podium teams. But that's why we run the race, right?
Returning 1600m Metric: 7th Returning 5000m Metric: 7th
As you can see, the remaining teams will have a combination of a lot of work to do and some luck to find their way into the top 4, but West Forsyth stands as one of the teams with the potential to do so, and you know they'd love to repeat a top 4 finish from last year. They seem a little stronger following Track season with their top 3 in Cole Schmoyer, Diego Fernandes, and Parker Chase all turning in 4:36 or faster, and those same 3 have gone 17:06 or faster on the XC course, but they will need a 4 and 5 to step up to maintain a top 5 position come November. West typically has solid depth, so it'll be no surprise when a few start to emerge - but for now, they've got about 60% of their scorers determined with a little help needed for the rest.
Returning 1600m Metric: 8th
Returning 5000m Metric: 5th
Following XC season, last year's 5th place finisher looked a lot stronger than they did after exiting Track season. Sterling Sellier, Bryce Brownlee, and Ben Connelly have all broken 16:50 which is actually competitive with any of the top 4 teams mentioned here, but then the Track performances don't quite measure up. The good news for the Hoyas though is that Carrollton is basically the anti-Track, so they don't necessarily have to be as strong on the track to show potential on one of the toughest courses in the southeast. Recent history shows us that Harrison performs well in November, and they could easily move up this list if they are able to find the same type of last season magic.
Returning 1600m Metric: 6th
Returning 5000m Metric: 6th
MC Baby, last year's State XC Champion, will look completely different following exits of the vast majority of their scorers. One scorer who returns though is also an individual title threat in Luke Kalarickal. While the team looks different, this will be a great opportunity for a relative newcomer to the sport in Kalarickal to stamp his legacy not just at the school but at the State level. He's going to need some help from this teammates to solidify a solid top 10 finish, so look to the likes of Dylan Lucas, Gavin Mathieu, and Jack Tillman to spearhead the charge to work on the gap to their teammate. This group is well coached though, and they traditionally have solid depth - so don't sleep on the Hawks.
Returning 1600m Metric: 11th
Returning 5000m Metric: 8th
Milton had a bit of a rough one last year compared to their otherwise strong recent history, but that should end up ultimately as a hiccup to a traditionally strong program. They look set to return to the top 10, and top 10 threat Cory Chambers (4:23/16:25) will lead this crew. Jack Rea appears to have made a significant jump from last Fall to last Spring, so he could factor in heavily with this bunch. Keller Wilson and Oliver Stone will also be looked to for support. "Potential" seems to be the name of the game for a lot of these teams, and Milton is no different.
Returning 1600m Metric: 5th
Returning 5000m Metric: 11th
South Forsyth looked far stronger exiting Track season as they feature 5th in terms of returning 1600m runners. Ben Bergey is a huge threat for the individual win and enters the 2022 season with a career best 15:21 5K, tops for the field. A supporting cast began to emerge in Track season due to guys like Benjamin Winn and Adam Zorko closing the gap. Like many featured in this preview, they'll need to find some help in their 4 and 5, but the depth throughout the top 10 this season may not be quite as deep as it has been in years' past which could help a team like SF who has a stud at the top but not as much firepower at the 5th position.
Returning 1600m Metric: 10th
Returning 5000m Metric: 9th
Rounding out our team preview for the boys is Hillgrove. The exit of Coach Gambrell will certainly affect things as he's tough to replace, but the magic is in the legs, not the coach, so it'll be fun to see how these Hawks rebound under new leadership. Hillgrove doesn't have a top guy who will be able to contend even in the top 20 (on paper), but their depth shows that they could be the type of team to crash everyone in their top 5 between 30th and 50th place. That won't podium, but that's enough to get them in the top 5. Beau Baker, Connor Migliore, Will Ervin, and Joseph Brooks will be among the leaders of this team trying to see how high into the top 10 they can get come November.
Boys Individual
Everyone in the top 6 last year graduated, so there will be a fresh face at the top in 2022. Jared Fortenberry of Marietta is the top returner after finishing 7th last year, so as mentioned before, he's the on-paper favorite. Steven McCartney of Archer opened up super hard last year and was able to hang on and finish 8th showing true guts and fitness, so he's definitely one to keep an eye on. Brookwood's Charlie Thomas was 14th last year, and while his Track season wasn't quite at the level of McCartney and Fortenberry, he must be someone taken seriously. Mill Creek's Luke Kalarickal had a monster Track season going 4:23/9:24, so while he was a little behind pace at Carrollton, clearly he's made a huge jump and should factor into the individual conversation. Houston Hamby had a breakthrough race at Carrollton last year as he finished 10th. The track season didn't follow up to quite the same level, but sometimes you have athletes who just handle the hills better. Memphis Rich of Richmond Hill is a new face to 7A but will be a threat. He was 5th in 6A last year and boasts Track PRs of 4:26/9:27 which easily puts him in contention. Reid Latimer, Jackson Hogsed, and Kushan Patel (Lambert), Diego Fernandes (West Forsyth), Noah Martinson, Hagan Russell, and Joshua Sipes (Carrollton), and Sterling Sellier (Harrison) are all top 10-20 threats.