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 to fiv places behind the last ranked runner, their second unranked runner would finishe six to ten 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 three teams. This should be quite a fight between University and Morgantown for the top spot. In fact, the rankings have it scored as a tie, with Morgantown taking the Regional title on the 6th place runner. The battle for the 3rd spot should be a good one as well. I have Parkersburg taking the spot, but by just 5 points over both Parkersburg South and Preston. Individually, I project that 11 individuals will qualify from this Region. The current top 11 are Victoria Cooke, Sarah Wills, TaShala Turner, Skyler Brooks, Beighley Ayers, Allison Currey, Samantha Hatcher, Mikaila Mitchell, Abbey Harrison, Tori Carr, and Lindsay Scheffel. The only runner within 60 points of the top 11 who aren't on an expected advancing team that will be trying to take an individual spot is Parkersburg South's Mayha Okita (16th). There are 59 ranked runners in Region I.
Region II: This Region should advance 3 teams. Hampshire is the clear favorite for the top spot. Things are pretty tight after that. I have Elkins in 2nd, just 5 points ahead of Buckhannon-Upshur. Musselman and Jefferson are both within 20 points of Buckhannon-Upshur. Individually, I project that 12 individuals will qualify for the State Meet. The current top 12 is Abby Colbert, Hannah Lipps, Emily Louk, Morgan Roach, Jessie Hogbin, Ashleigh Martin, Catrina Russell, Olivia Underwood, Kelsey Mowery, Mary Feaster, Megan Carr, and Hallie Williams. There are no runners within 60 points of the top 12 who are not an an expected advancing team. The closest that will be trying to snag in Individual spot is Jefferson's Grace Valentine (15th). Region II has 36 ranked runners.
Region III: This Region should advance three teams. Capital should take the win pretty handily. I show Greenbrier East in 2nd and Ripley in 3rd, but with Woodrow Wilson and Oak Hill within 10 points of Ripley. Oak Hill hasn't run a complete team since August 30th, though. Individually, I am projecting 12 girls to advance to the State Meet. The current top 12 are Peyton Panger, Emily Fedders, Riley Simmerman, Mary Keeton Lane, Taylor Hamm, Cami Wagner, Courtney Cook, Sierra Seay, Taylor Wills, Lauren Lindsey, Sophia Morgado, and Raechyl Beard. Runners within 60 points of the top ten and not on an expected advancing team are Woodrow Wilson's Bailey McInturff (13th) and George Washington's Lauren Easter (18th). Region III has 20 ranked runners.
Region IV: This Region is very much in jeopardy of only advancing 2 teams. From what I've seen, only five have run complete teams this season. However, both Lincoln County and Spring Valley have enough runners on their respective rosters to run a complete unit at the Regional. Since they haven't done so yet, I'm going to leave it at two teams. Hurricane is the class of the field and should win handily. Winfield has a fairly solid grip on the 2nd spot. If a third team gets out, it will almost assuredly be Cabell Midland. Individually, I'm projecting that 10 runners will advance to the State Meet. The current top 10 is Joie Johnston, Rachel Englund, Jenna Crouch, Abbie Short, Anna Gordon, Alexis Imperial, Rachel Beck, Alyssa Rittinger, Carissa Lawhon, and Zoey Chapman. There is only one runner within 60 points of the top 10 who is not on an expected advancing team that will be fighting for an individual spot. That runner is Cabell Midland's Katie Reidel (13th). There are 39 ranked runners in Region IV.