Well here we are. It's finally state week! Don't forget to check out the state meet hub as it gets updated with results merges, rankings, meet previews, live results and full coverage of the 2024 GHSA state Cross Country Championships:

State Meet Hub

So we have a brand new classification this year and it should lead to some pretty epic races. Putting all but a few of the private schools in one classification means this will always be very competitive. We can discuss that advantages and disadvantages that brings at some other time. For now I want to talk about how exciting things look in this classification. 

Boys Individual

This boys team race looks to be especially exciting, but more on that in a minute. For now let's focus on the race for the individual title. And I really don't know how to call this one. There was a pre season favorite that certainly established himself as the big name early on this year. But something looked off with Wood Moore at Coach Wood and then he didn't race at sectionals. You always hate to see that, especially from a senior. But don't count him out just yet. He's one of Wesleyan's 12 names listed for the meet. So there's still a chance he runs this thing. If he lines up, he's got a chance at the win and could very easily be considered the favorite. But you also can't fault any of the boys behind him for getting ideas about taking their shot at the win here. So let's take a look at who we've got there. 

William Porter has arrived. The Lovett senior showed flashes of brilliance here and there, but never really put together on this level until this season. And he should be taken very seriously as a threat to win this thing. Haris Flynn will also be very much in the mix here. He darn near pulled off the win last year, and being the 800 talent that he is, he's got a kick that needs to be taken seriously. He could absolutely be the one on top of the podium this weekend. Anderson Mathias has also had a very strong season and actually carries the fastest PR of any contender outside of Moore. He hasn't hit any home run balls lately, but he's just been doing his job. And sometimes that's all it takes leading up to the big one so that you're ready to go when it really counts most. The final big contender who you could at least give a decent chance at winning is Riley Hugues. He was also in it for the win in the end last year and came up just short. I expect him to toe the line hungry to avenge that race. Any of these 5 guys could win it, but expect a few others to try to contend for a top podium spot as well including Hall Wildman, Brock Ferguson, Landon Jonas, Cavin Estep, Samuel Wood, and Bo Mitchell

Ga MileSplit Prediction
1. Flynn
2. Porter
3. Moore
4. Hugues
5. Hugues

Boys Team

Oh man I'm so excited for this one. Lovett pulled off one of the all time best upsets in this meet back in 2020. When they're in the mix at state, it usually leads to thrilling finishes. They don't always turn out the way the lions want, but the fans are always treated. And this year looks to be no different. Lovett and Whitefield Academy aren't just two of the best teams in this classification, they're two of the best teams in all of Georgia. Pretty impressive for how small their schools are. But they both have looked fantastic all season long and I really don't know who to call the favorite. There have been some good back and forth battles, so I'll leave this one as a toss up for now. And maybe even more fun is the race behind them for the final two trophies. That race looks super close and any of the four teams in contention could be going home with hardware. Wesleyan has the experience, but Moore is a question mark. Paideia also has kids who have been here before, and that could end up making a big difference. Darlington, Trinity Christian, and Hebron Christian all have the tools, but feel like they're still just a 5th man away from making that big splash. But the good news about being in that situation is that you have the most room for growth. All it takes is one runner to have a monster day and all of a sudden you're beating people you've never beaten before. I've seen it happen. This thing will come down to the wire for every trophy, and that's the kind of stuff that makes out sport great. I can't wait to see it unfold.

GA MileSplit Prediction
1. Lovett
2. Whitefield
3. Wesleyan
4. Darlington

Girls Individual

Ok well, 3 out of 4 of these races should be wildly exciting. This one will only be exciting to see just how fast Maya Davis goes. She's a superstar who might be the best runner in all of Georgia, who might be going after bigger and better things in the post season. And it's highly unlikely she gets beat. But again, you don't win medals in virtual meets, you still have to show up and perform on the day. So while I expect Davis to run away with this thing because of her insane talent, it's never a done deal until they cross the line.

Behind Davis we should see quite a bit more excitement though. And it'll be especially fun because it could carry some huge team implications as well. Mary Parrish Green will look to give Lovett the low stick and a head start in the team scoring. That could be huge for them as they pursue the team title. But Wesleyan also has two girls who will be focused on the team race. Margaret Moore and Kyra Brubaker will be trying to make sure they do their part as Wesleyan tries to go back to back. And let's not forget about Weezie Moore who is a defending state champion and had her best race of the year at state last year. If they work together it could be a problem for anybody else. Morgan Huggins and Adelaide Ellis have also both had very strong seasons and they could be looking to enter the fold here and mix it up with the top girls. Seniors and freshmen are often the most dangerous girls in this meet, so expect them to bring it.

Ga MileSplit Prediction
1. Davis
2. Weezie Moore
3. Green
4. Margaret Moore
5. Brubaker

Girls Team

On paper this thing is gonna be a barn burner. Nothing is secure for anybody. But Wesleyan has the hoarsest get the job done if they run their race. But. Be careful. Athens Academy is better than they look on paper. They've been keeping it low key and running at home a lot this season. And that course is not the race track that Coach Wood is. It's definitely possible they're the favorites and we don't even know it. I could see a scenario where they show up and are more prepared for Carrollton than anybody else and just take control from the gun and don't look back. Or Wesleyan might just have too much firepower up front for anybody else to over come. We will find out on Friday. Lovett is also in the mix here, but is most likely the 3rd best team in this classification. Certainly nothing to scoff at and they've had a great season, I just don't think they quite have what it takes to mix it up for the win. But I love it when teams show up at state and prove me wrong, it makes for a very exciting race to watch. I'm more than happy to eat crow if you win, Lovett. Hebron Christian probably has that final trophy locked up, but you can't completely count out Mount Vernon and Paideia here. Anything can happen at state, especially when we're talking about the last couple of trophies.

Ga MileSplit Prediction
1. Athens Academy
2. Wesleyan
3. Lovett
4. Hebron