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 places behind the last ranked runner, their second unranked runner would finishe 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 four teams. Ritchie is far ahead of the field. The battle for 2nd gets interesting. I show Braxton 8 points ahead of St. Marys and East Fairmont another 14 back. Anyone else will have to have a strong meet to get in. Individually, I'm projecting 21 to advance. The current top 21 are Hunter Deem, Daniel Cooper, Seth Backus, Mark Ellis, Hunter Riffle, Austin Hayes, Jakeb Van Horn, Trey Heaster, Brady Gorrell, Jarrett Allendar, Richard Butler, Clayton Bee, Cooper Brady, Cole Clutter, Hunter Holden, Travis Pickering, Walker Hashman, Chase Sullivan, Tanner Gorby, Ben Hart, and Conner Calmbacher. Those within 60 points of the top 21 not already on an expected advancing team are Williamstown's Quinton Fleming (24th), Fairmont Senior's Gage Clemens (25th), Webster's Ben Cochran (26th), Weir's Tyler Virtue (27th), Hunter Gorby (30th), and Wheeling Central's Caleb Estep (32nd). There are 37 ranked runners in Region I.
Region II: This Region should advance four teams, but everyone that has ran a complete team will need to do so. Bridgeport is the class of the field. Berkeley Springs is easily the 2nd best team. I have Frankfort over Keyser by 7 points for 3rd. Philip Barbour has a shot as well. Individually, I'm projecting 15 runners to advance. The current top 15 are Steven Shetler, Jimmy Lacaria, Leland Henderson, Timmy Kinney, Logan Heironimus, Ian Frailey, Jeremy Robertson, Drake Bolle, Hunter Kasekamp, Jack Funk, Bryce Childerson, Mark Duez, Matt Chapman, Tyson Childers, and Jonathan Hartman. Runners within 60 points of the top 15 that aren't on expected advancing teams are Liberty Harrison's Corey Bunch (17th), Philip Barbour's Nathan Baldwin (22nd), and Paw Paw's Zack Harrold (25th). There are 48 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This Region should advance three teams. Honestly, there aren't enough ranked runners to do a preview without actually researching head-to-head results. That being said, using the same methodology as other regions, I show Sherman with the top spot, Westside in 2nd, and PikeView in 3rd. But this region is going to be fully dependent on the unranked runners. Individually, I'm projecting 11 to advance. There are only 5 ranked runners. They are Jesse Canaday, Justin Cochran, Daniel Baldwin, Dylan Repass, and Zachary Canaday, who hasn't ran since September 19th. Region III has 5 ranked runners.
Region IV: This Region may advance four teams. For that to happen, Tolsia will need to get their five to the line. For purposes of this preview, I'll assume that happens. I have Nicholas in the top spot fairly solidly. After that, it's very close with 4 teams within 14 points and 5 within 21 points. I have Roane in the 2nd spot, but 3 points ahead of Buffalo. I have Buffalo just 1 point ahead of Ravenswood. Charleston Catholic and Wirt will need some step-up performances. Individually, I'm projecting 14 runners to advance. The current top 14 are Hayden Harrison, Logan Kerby, Jackson Reed, Nikoles Mulligan, Bryce Jarrell, Caleb Shirey, Blake Jarrell, Devin Rich, Brady Ohrn, Thomas Hart, Greg Hart, Cody Kelley, Mason Adkins, and Kyle Stutler. Only one runner is within 60 points of the top 14 that isn't on an expected advancing team. That is Clay's Trevor Armes (17th). There are 23 ranked runners in Region IV.