The State Meet starts on Friday! This is such an exciting week where we're all in countdown mode. Make sure you check back all week with the state meet hub for all of our updates as we go through the weekend with great races.
Both of the 1A-3A Private races have some uncertainty and tight battles up front for the state title.
1-3A Private Boys Individual
The story here is how many guys in this field have made some BIG jumps to be as competitive as they are in this race. If you want to claim that you thought Samuel Wood would break 15 minutes this year, I just...don't believe you. Or you're a family member or close friend of his. Wood has had a solid career in high school, nothing to scoff at that's for sure. But this fall he's been competing with the best in the entire state. It's been very impressive to see the jump he's made this year, but also see that he hasn't been a one hit wonder outside of that sub 15 time at Asics. He's competed well all season long and he should be rolling into Carrollton with a ton of confidence. That being said, this is not a done deal. Gavin Quinn and Anderson Mathias are breathing down his neck. Both of those guys have some stout races on their resume this year that should give them reason to believe they can compete with him. Things often change in championship races. Running fast at Asics is one thing. Taking the win in Carrollton is another. And I don't think he's created enough separation on his two competitors that he should overlook either of them. On top of that, there's some wild cards in the mix too! Landon Jonas hasn't raced in a while, but his best race this year is on par with those other three as well. Haris Flynn is also the defending champion who has 1:53 800m speed and it would be foolish to overlook him. There are a few others who could be in the mix as well with Christian McMurry, Javier Silva, and Eli Floyd leading the way.
Prediction
1. Wood
2. Quinn
3. Mathias
4. McMurry
5. Flynn
1-3A Private Boys Team
This thing is even harder to predict. I know what the virtual meet says, but my honest opinion is that any of the top four teams could come away with the win here. Hebron is the favorite, and they definitely have a head start with their front runners, but I think when it's all said and done there are multiple other teams who could throw themselves in the mix for a variety of reasons. Hebron has to make sure they're on their game at all five places, because I think this one is coming down to the wire. Trinity Christian also has some serious firepower up front. But they have the most room to grow at 3-5 which makes them very dangerous coming into Carrollton. Athens Academy has the tightest pack, and in a race like that it could make a very big difference. Also, in a tight race it's never a good idea to count out the team who didn't race at Asics. They're much closer to the front of the team battle than people realize, and when you have a tight pack like they've got, it can really make a difference at Carrollton. Whitefield Academy has been a perennial power in this classification and that will work in their favor, even if they don't appear to be as strong on paper. These are probably the four podium teams, but what order they finish in is kind of wide open in my opinion.
Prediction
1. Hebron
2. Athens Academy
3. Trinity Christian
4. Whitefield
1-3A Private Girls Individual
Morgan Huggins has a solid case for one of the most improved top runners this year. And while I'll call her the favorite for the purposes of this preview, there are several girls she will have to beat in order to take home the win. Huggins has had a very strong season, and even though she's got that big PR from Asics, she just doesn't have that signature race that would otherwise cement her as the clear and obvious favorite. She's been good all year, but not out of reach. Who's got the best chance of beating her? I don't know. There's a case to be made for a few different runners. Weezie Moore won the battle of the rest last year, and her sub 19 at Great American indicates she can compete with any of these girls. So if she's on, she should be tough to beat. Caroline Struby has been up and down this year, so if she finds her groove on the day, she will be in the mix. Lauren Thomas is also in the mix and if she's at her best she can find herself up front as well. Brooke Barefoot-Archie has some early season wins and has been coming on strong late here. Ella McIlravy and Margaret Moore will have the team battle on their minds as they push up near the front while Lucy Blee is also coming on strong here at the end. Eloise jones has a quick time, but can she do well on the hills of Carrollton?
Prediction
1. Huggins
2. Moore
3. Thomas
4. McIlravy
5. Struby
1-3A Private Girls Team
Wesleyan will not be easy to beat. But Mount Vernon is in the mix here thanks to the spark that Huggins has provided them this year. On paper this is pretty close through four runners, but Wesleyan takes it on the 5th runner. That can, and often does, all change when you get to the state meet. So this thing is not over yet and won't be over until Mount Vernon's 5th crosses that line and we sort out who got the win. As for the battle for the last two trophies? Your guess is as good as mine. Lovett is up there on paper, but it's so close with 3 other schools. Paideia, Savannah Country Day, and Athens Academy are all right there. We will see what happens
Prediction
1. Wesleyan
2. Mount Vernon
3. Paideia
4. Athens Academy
The State Meet starts on Friday! This is such an exciting week where we're all in countdown mode. Make sure you check back all week with the state meet hub for all of our updates as we go through the weekend with great races.
Both of the 1A-3A Private races have some uncertainty and tight battles up front for the state title.
1-3A Private Boys Individual
The story here is how many guys in this field have made some BIG jumps to be as competitive as they are in this race. If you want to claim that you thought Samuel Wood would break 15 minutes this year, I just...don't believe you. Or you're a family member or close friend of his. Wood has had a solid career in high school, nothing to scoff at that's for sure. But this fall he's been competing with the best in the entire state. It's been very impressive to see the jump he's made this year, but also see that he hasn't been a one hit wonder outside of that sub 15 time at Asics. He's competed well all season long and he should be rolling into Carrollton with a ton of confidence. That being said, this is not a done deal. Gavin Quinn and Anderson Mathias are breathing down his neck. Both of those guys have some stout races on their resume this year that should give them reason to believe they can compete with him. Things often change in championship races. Running fast at Asics is one thing. Taking the win in Carrollton is another. And I don't think he's created enough separation on his two competitors that he should overlook either of them. On top of that, there's some wild cards in the mix too! Landon Jonas hasn't raced in a while, but his best race this year is on par with those other three as well. Haris Flynn is also the defending champion who has 1:53 800m speed and it would be foolish to overlook him. There are a few others who could be in the mix as well with Christian McMurry, Javier Silva, and Eli Floyd leading the way.