Robert Cross MS course has the reputation of being one of the fastest in the State as winds back and forth under a huge shaded pecan orchard, although it starts and finishes on the football field. Many Metro schools make the trek to Albany every Fall and athletes have a great chance to pr. This season 42 teams are entered including 32 high schools and 10 Middle Schools will be represented.
The Boys Varsity race has the makings of being a real barnburner with #3 All-Classes St.Pius competing led by Brendan Hoban (15:49), frosh Austin Sprague (16:27) and Calvin Tirrell (16:38). Will the Golden Lions go sub 16:00 for a Team average time? Pope, North Gwinnett, West Hall, Dacula and Lovett are all aiming to bring the speed from up north and set the orchard ablaze. Individuals to watch will be West Hall's Josh Pendly (16:01), Columbus' Adam Jones (16:37), Lovett's Parker Whitlock (16:41), Matthew Ursprung of North Gwinnett (16:44), Nick Washizaki of McEachern (16:15), Hunter Honeycutt of Tift County (16:26) and Gerald Demeunynck of Pope (16:21). Alot of pride will be on the line to see what teams "South of the Border" have the highest placing also including Columbus, Tift County, Houston County, Perry, Valdosta and Westover.
On the Girls side #1 ranked North Gwinnett will be on hand and it will be interesting to see how low a score they amass as well as an average team time on the fast track. The Lady Bulldogs are loaded again this season and have been ranked in The Harrier Magazine's top 25 in the USA. Leading the pack this season has been Jordan Humphrey (18:52), Lauren Recchia (19:14) and Victoria Howell (16:15). Chasing North Gwinnett could be Columbus (#4 AAA), Pope (newcomer to AAAA, ranked 9th) currently unranked Parkview and #3 in AA Lovett. Some other top individuals to keep an eye on are Lovett's frosh Hailey Branch (19:43), Sara Brown of Parkview (19:52), Courtney Ragan (19:39) and Rose Howell (19:58) both from North Gwinnett and Jessica Hale of Pope (20:02),