Remember, this is only how it looks from the rankings heading into the regionals. This is not a prediction based on any analysis of races held during the season. If a team has fewer than five ranked runners, it is assumed that their first unranked runner would finish three places behind the last ranked runner, their second unranked runner would finishe six places behind the last ranked runner, etc. Runners run above and below their ranking in every meet, and the Regionals will be no different. The important thing is that if you have five runners, get them to the starting line. Your region may be depending on you.
Region I: This Region should advance four teams. There are 11 complete teams in the field. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that at least 10 of them don't let their Region down. St. Marys looks to be well ahead of the field. The battle for 2nd is tight with just 9 points separating 2nd through 4th. Magnolia appears to have a very slight edge over Doddridge for the 2nd spot with Ritchie holding the 4th spot. Those four appear to be well ahead of the remainder of the field. Individually, the current top 10 includes Bill Feeney, Johnnny Hogue, Jordan Whitehair, Charlie Drazba, Alec Hinerman, Caleb Moore, Clinton Hardman, Matt Zorn, Grant Delancey, and Glen McMillan. Runners within 90 points of those top 10 who aren't on an expected advancing team that will be trying to score a spot are Tyler Consolidated's Luke Reynolds (12th), Oak Glen's Ethan Malcomb (14th), Oak Glen's Eric Oliver (16th), Clay-Battelle's Alec Statler (17th), Williamstown's Chandler Antill (tied for 19th), Williamstown's Blake Williams (tied for 19th), Wirt's Kalob Bell (23rd), and Williamstown's Jacob Hively (24th). There are 26 ranked runners in Region I.
Region II: This Region can get three teams to advance. For this to happen, Lincoln has to run a full team. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that Lincoln comes through for their Region. Philip Barbour appears to be the strongest team in the Region, with Berkeley Springs and Grafton fighting for the 2nd spot, with Berkeley Springs looking to have a slight edge. Keyser and Grafton will be hoping that one of them slips. Individually, the current top 10 includes Wes Anderson, Scott Nesland, Trae Miller, P.J. Louzy, Casey Doxzen, Shane Ickes, Matt King, Corey Shetler, Trey Furby, and Lucas Young. Runners within 90 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team that will be trying to steal a spot are Keyser's Josh Biser (11th), Keyser's Jordan Lawrence (13th), Grafton's Tyler Moore (14th), Keyser's Craig Westfall (15th), and Tucker's Chris Bonner (16th). There are 20 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: It looks like this Region will advance three teams. However, for that to happen, everyone who has run a complete team this season will need to do so on Thursday. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that they do all come through. Oak Hill looks to be pretty solidly in front, and Shady Spring appears to be very solidly in control of 2nd. The battle for the 3rd spot actually scores out as a tie between Independence and Westside. For this preview, I'm giving the spot to Westside because they've run complete more often than Independence. Individually, the current top 10 includes Andrew Shaffer, Wes Stowers, Cameron Davis, Tyler Kosut, Jason Weitzel, Issac Cales, Justin Harper, Lucas Gardner, Hayden Thomas, and Brettley Harris. Only Wyoming East's Joseph Cornett is within 90 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. There are 21 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region could advance three teams. I show only 7 complete teams which leaves no room for error, and there are a few that are pretty shaky in terms of running complete. For purposes of this preview, I'm going to assume that only two get to advance. It looks like Ravenswood and Buffalo should battle for the title, and I show Ravenswood taking it by a single point. Scott would likely be the third team if three advance, and with them only showing 9 points behind Buffalo, they are very much a threat to take one of the two spots. Individually, the current top 10 includes Will Shaffer, Evan Childers, Marcus Black, Forrest Reed, Ryan Honeycutt, Mike Mayes, Brandon Perdue, Luke Sadecky, Dylan Rich, and Jacob Doss. Runners within 90 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team include Roane's Caleb Pell (12th), Braxton's Kevin Hill (15th), and Charleston Catholic's Spencer Panero (tied for 18th). There are 19 ranked runners in Region IV.