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 will advance three teams. Preston and University appear to be in a battle for first with Preston having a slight edge. Fairmont Senior have a shot at both. Those three teams appear to be well ahead of the rest of the field. Individually, the top 10 by current rankings are Peter Schwarzenberg, Jordan Brown-Stobbe, Brody Born, Nick Trefz, Cameron Greza, Tony Hayes, Andy Paladino, Jacob Richards, Nick Robertson, and Colin Radabaugh. 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 Wheeling Park's Brandon Robinson (13th), Wheeling Park's Will Wagner (15th), North Marion's Alex Myers (tied for 16th), Morgantown's Jacob Jacquez (18th), and Wheeling Park's Tyler Long (20th). There are 48 ranked runners in Region I. There are 42 runners in this region that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region II: There is a chance for this region to advance four teams. In order for that to happen, Lewis County needs to run a full squad. They've had five guys run at one time or another this year, so I'm going to assume that they'll come through for their region. Jefferson is clearly the class of the field. Musselman looks like a fairly solid second. The battle for the 3rd and 4th spots is very tight. The current rankings show Elkins getting the 3rd spot, and Hampshire getting the 4th. However, Bridgeport is just 1 point behind Hampshire and 6 behind Elkins, so they can very much be a factor. Individually, the current top 10 included Eric Graf, Ryan Graf, Nic Bauer, Andrew Milliron, Sam Munnis, Matthew Dearth, Abe Merinar, Austin Hamrick, Zach Wiberg, and R.J. Stephens. 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 Martinsburg's Vladimir Bauer (13th), Robert C. Byrd's Austen Zorick (20th), Hedgesville's John Jacko (22nd), and Buckhannon-Upshur's Joey Shreves (23rd). There are 50 ranked runners in Region II. There are 45 runners in this region that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region III: This Region should advance three teams. It is possible that only two could advance, as I'm showing 8 complete teams, but several of those have run multiple meets as incomplete teams. for purposes of this preview, I'm going to assume that enough come through to advance three teams. George Washington and Greenbrier East look to be well ahead of the field, with George Washington pretty solidly in first. Capital looks to have an edge over St. Albans for the 3rd spot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Matthew Brafford, Garrett Boggs, Trey Cochran, Levi Snedegar, Chad Hollandsworth, Marshall Sharp, Jesse Bobick, Wyatt Browder, Quinn Doyle, and Joe Schwartz. There are no ranked runners within 90 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team. There are 12 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region should advance three teams. Cabell Midland is far and away at the top of the field. Parkersburg looks to be a slight favorite over Winfield for the 2nd spot. Those three appear to be well ahead of the remainder of the field. Individually, the current top 10 includes Jacob Burcham, Tyler Salmons, Joseph Kirtner, Jeremy Waugh, Nick Musgrave, Sean Snider, Cody Honaker, Avery Campbell, Mark Stewart, and Anthony Kist. Runners within 90 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team include Ripley's Chad Longanacre (11th), Huntington's Chandler Smith (12th), Hurricane's Aaron Peal (tied for 15th), Huntington's Sam Smith (tied for 17th), Huntington's Jack McGee (19th), Ripley's Caleb Casto (tied for 20th), Spring Valley's Taylor Stacey, Parkersburg South's Ronnie Barker (24th), and Ripley's Ryan Gregory (25th). There are 57 ranked runners in Region IV. There are 48 runners in this Region that would be expeted to advance from Region III.