Regional Preview - Class A-AA Boys

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 five 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. If you have 7, get them to the line. Your region may be depending on you.

A-AA Boys

Region I: This Region will again advance four teams. It takes 10 complete teams to advance 4. I'm expecting 17 complete teams from this Region. At the least, this Region should have a 5th position. This one should be interesting for the four spots. East Fairmont holds the top spot. I have Philip Barbour in 2nd, but just by 2 points over Fairmont Senior. Frankfort has the edge for the 4th spot, but by just 8 points over Ritchie. This is another point of contention. The WVSSAC started awarding a Class A-AA Team Championship at the State Meet last year but has declined efforts to assure that the top Class A-AA team advances from each Region. Ritchie has been the top ranked Class A-AA team all season long but may be sitting at home State Meet weekend. Individually, I'm projecting 23 to advance. The current top 23 are Brady Gorrell, Mark Ellis, Walker Hashman, Caleb Carlson, Spencer Corley, Noah Ward, Derek Alt, Miguel Figueroa, Logan Heironimus, Trevor Saunders, Quintin Thomas, Clayton Bee, Dominic Butler, Jarrett Allendar, Trevor Cavanaugh, Benjamin Ridgel, Chase Sullivan, Alex Morris, Tyler Channell, Johnny Williams, Nathan Atkinson, Jed Hawkins, and Tyler Hayes. Runners within 60 points of the top 23 who aren't on an expected advancing team are Cameron's Zane Clutter (24th), Paw Paw's Hunter Kasekamp (27th), Keyser's Hyuma Kori (28th), Tyler Consolidated's Gavin Corley (30th), North Marion's Michael Garrett (31st), Madonna's Angelo Quattrocci (33rd), Oak Glen's Hunter Gorby (37th), Ritchie's Brady Layman (38th), Cameron's Josey Stern (tie for 39th), Weir's Cole Girod (tie for 39th), Paw Paw's Dominic Tanouye (41st), and Ritchie's Kent Bee (44th). That's a lot. There are 60 ranked runners in Region I. The 20th ranked runner in this Region would be ranked in the top 9 of every other region.

Region II: This Region should advance four teams. Bridgeport appears to be well ahead of the rest of the field. Things are reasonably tight after that. Doddridge shows a 12 point edge over Robert C. Byrd. Robert C. Byrd is just 4 points ahead of Elkins. Elkins is just 4 points ahead of Braxton. Individually, I'm projecting 15 to advance. The current top 15 are Mark Duez, Danah Phillips, Carter Lipscomb, Mason Clark, Jackson Jacobs, Samuel Starkey, Brennan Gum, Bryan Utt, Cade Robinson, Kaleb Brown, Clint Evans, Gage Smith, Hunter Hutson, Steven Schumacher, and Coleton Marsh. Runners within 60 points of the top 15 that aren't on an expected advancing team are Tucker's Will White (17th), Lewis' Adin Post (18th), Lewis' Jacob Moore (20th), Tucker's Jack Melnick (22nd), Clay-Battelle's Kayden Statler (24th), Braxton's Todd Spencer (tie for 29th), and Tucker's Joseph Lewandowski (tie for 29th). There are 31 ranked runners in Region II.

Region III: This Region will likely advance four teams. Nicholas shows just a slight advantage over Wyoming East for the top spot, by just 2 points. Oak Hill holds the 3rd spot with PikeView in the 4th position, but things are very much up in the air. Individually, I'm projecting 21 to advance. The current top 21 are Zachary Webb, Isaac Prather, Daniel Baldwin, Dylan Repass, Mathew Casey, Reuben Beasley, Lavon McClarrin, Korbin Taylor, Logan Kelbaugh, Dalton Blake, Seth Crosier, Levi Brake, Reece Bias, Riley Nicholas, Josh Hager, Preston Prather, Grey Hazuka, Holden McClung, Alex Fennell, Jacob Harris, and Logan Vance. Runners within 60 points of the top 21 who aren't on an expected advancing team are Webster's Harman Wamsley (22nd), and Clay's David Tanner (23rd). There are 25 ranked runners in Region III.

Region IV: This Region should advance four teams. Everyone who has ran a complete team at any point during the season will have to do so on Thursday. That's a little iffy as there is one team who hasn't ran complete since 9/9 and another than hasn't since 9/26. Winfield is easily the top team in the field. Ravenswood appears to be pretty solidly 2nd. Williamstown looks pretty steady at 3rd. Parkersburg Catholic has a slight edge for 4th, but with others lingering near. Individually, I'm projecting 17 to advance. The current top 17 are Aaron Withrow, Luke Lumadue, Bryce Jarrell, Luke Wilson, Blake Jarrell, Deshone Cooper, Ethan Beck, Jordon Thompson, Quinton Fleming, Justin Rood, Will Whaley, Jonathan Kammerer, Anthony Jarrell, Colin Simmons, Ross Armstrong, Colin Beck, and Cole Terosky. The only runner within 60 points of the top 17 who aren't on an expected advancing team is Buffalo's Malachi Woods (19th). There are 19 ranked runners in Region IV.