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. Morgantown and University should have quite a battle for first with Morgantown appearing to have a slight edge. Preston will be looking for either team to slip. These three teams appear to be far ahead of everyone else. Individually, the current top 10 includes Amelia Paladino, Kaitlyn Workman, Alyssa Scherich, Victoria Cooke, Brynn Harshbarger, Sydney Pineault, Emma Harrison, Abbey Harrison, Emily Lynch, and Racheal Hulett. 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 North Marion's Devin Elliott (14th) and Wheeling Park's Lauren Tarovisky (15th). There are 62 ranked runners in Region I. There are 43 runners in this region that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region II: It looks like this region will only advance three teams. Bridgeport and Hampshire should battle for the title with Bridgeport holding a lsight edge. Hedgesville is the favorite for the third spot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Reba Cutright, Morganne Phillips, Rachel Lipps, Heather Jenkins, Sara Burkett, Erica Voreh, Vivian Ruiz, Destiny Harrison, Brittany Pollard, and Gillian Ross. Only Jefferson's Desiree McCarroll (15th) is within 90 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. There are 46 ranked runners in Region II. There are 26 runners in this region that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region III: This Region could advance three teams, but I only show 7 complete teams in the field, and several of them those have run multiple meets as incomplete teams. Since there is no room at all for error, and so many are sketchy, for purposes of this preview, I'm only going to assume two teams make it out. George Washington and Greenbrier East look to have very solid grips on first and second, respectively. If a third team does make it out, it will likely be Nicholas County. Individually, the current top 10 includes Peyton Panger, Morgan Kesecker, Emily Fedders, Shaye Gadomski, Nikki Crowder, Sara Hamilton, Adrienne Arnold, Tiffany Mosely, Jillian Clemens, and Sophie Kemp-Sherman. Only St. Albans' Kasey Hickman (12th) is within 90 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. There are 91 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region should advance three teams. Hurricane looks to be the top team in the field with Parkersburg and Cabell Midland pretty solidly in the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively. Individually, the current top 10 includes Tori Dent, Kaylee Williams, Jorden Thornton, April Kirk, Baylee Summers, Emily Schwendiman, Madisen Burns, Rachel Morris, Allyson Lawhon, and Kelsey Dillon. Only Ripley's Ali Cunningham (11th) is within 90 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. There are 50 ranked runners in Region IV. There are 25 runners in this region who would be expected to advance in Region III.