Girl’s Team
Westminster had an outstanding 2010 season and was in some folk’s opinion the best All-Class team in Georgia last year. Currently ranked #3 All-Class (and #1 in 2A), they will be pushed by 2010 defending Atlanta Classic champions Marist (#3 in 4A) and Macon’s First Presbyterian (#10 A/C, #1 in 1A). Landmark Christian (#3 in 1A) has some excellent talent up front, while Allatoona (#1 in AAA) has run exceptionally well approaching mid-season.
Parkview (#10 in 5A), Union Grove (#5 in 4A), Whitewater (#7 in 4A), Woodward (#6 in 3A), Eagle’s Landing (#10 in 3A), and Galloway (#7 in 1A) look to also be in the mix for top spots.
2010 defending AAA State Champion Columbus will field a partial squad, while Brookwood will rest its girl’s varsity this week.
Girl’s Individual
It’s hard to imaging anyone seriously testing First Presbyterian’s Grace Tinkey. The two-time FootLocker finalist has been unchallenged this year, running off a string of sub-18 minute performances on legitimate courses. Sophie Harkins’ 2010 course record of 19:04 appears to be in serious jeopardy.
Should Tinkey not have her A-game, a host of solid performers will stand ready to challenge. Teammate Victoria Coppage would be the star on most teams in Georgia, and opened with a strong 19:05 at Berry. Lindy Long of Landmark Christian ran a solid 19:19 at Berry, while Westminster’s Sahara Fletcher has raced sparingly thus far this year and would seem to be ready to run a fast one.
Others likely to push for top 10 spots include Gabby Roth of Eagle’s Landing, Melanie Hamilt of McIntosh, Union Grove’s Rayna Green, Wheeler’s Samantha Kiblinger, Mackenzie Nail of Whitewater, Chapel Hill’s Ashton Lord, Kate Northrop and Erin Connolly of Marist, Westminster’s Michelle Sullivan, Jessica Zalzman of Pinecrest Academy and Anna Gabianelli of Galloway.
Boy’s Team
5 of the top 10 ranked All-Class teams will line it up, with Brookwood, Mill Creek, Marist, St. Pius and Galloway headlining. Including Westminster, that puts 4 of the 5 2010 State Champions (and nine 2010 podium teams) on the starting line. #1 Brookwood will rest most (but not all) of its Top 7 this week, but will still send a formidable squad. Mill Creek (#4 A/C), Marist (#6 A/C) and St. Pius (#7 A/C) match up very closely…St. Pius was barely edged by Mill Creek at Berry, and by Marist at Warpath, and may be looking to turn the tables a bit. Class A Galloway opened some eyes early with a strong 5th place finish at UGA….they are currently ranked #10 All-Class.
Other highly ranked teams include Woodward (#2 in 3A), McIntosh (#4 in 4A), Union Grove (#6 in 4A), Allatoona (4th in 3A), Marietta (#8 in 5A), and Westminster (#1 in 2A).
The Atlanta Classic welcomes Alabama’s Vestavia Hills High School this year….their boy’s team took a strong 3rd at the Chickasaw Trails Invite two Saturdays ago, averaging an impressive 17:10.
Boy’s Individual
This one looks to be wide open. Bailey Roth of Eagle’s Landing pushed Josh Brickell early at UGA, and should be ready to challenge up front. Adam Jones of Columbus has been un-pushed this year in posting some solid times. Gabe Gomez of Brookwood has played second fiddle to teammate Malanoski this season but will lead the Broncos Saturday…his solid 15:58 at Berry suggests he’ll be pushing the pace up front.
Eric Westog of Mill Creek and Austin Sprague of St. Pius both cracked 16 minutes this past Saturday….with Roth, they are arguably the top 3 sophomores in Georgia (look for their names a lot over the next 3 years). Watch out for 2010 State Champion and “Mr. Sub-1:50” Cameron Thornton of Whitefield Academy….he won at Battle of Atlanta but may not have been seriously tested yet this year. Gomez’s Bronco teammates Austin Veith, Joseph Buda and Chad Seder were all in the low-16’s at River Green….likewise Michael Thurston of Marist ran 16:09 at Warpath. Brad Hort of McIntosh has been solid in 4 early-season meets.
Others in the up-front mix will likely include Chris Burnett of Woodward Academy, Calvin Tirrell of St. Pius, Mitch Flammang of Mill Creek, Michael Thurston of Marist, and Union Grove’s Dacosta Smith. A nice battle of super-frosh might emerge between Woodward’s Drew Sands (16:17 at Early Bird) and Galloway’s Riley Freidman (16:38 at UGA).
The boy’s course record is 15:44 set by Wade Voyles in 2010.
**************
The 2011 Atlanta Classic, hosted by Chapel Hill High School, kicks off at 7:55 AM on Saturday morning at Clinton Nature Preserve in western Douglas County. The Girl’s Championship race begins at 8:45, followed by the Boy’s Championship event at 9:10. Full meet details, including a list of attending teams, can be found on our Meet Home Page on the GATFXC.com calendar.