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. If you have 7, get them to the line. If you only have 3, get them to the line. Your region may be depending on you.
Region I: This Region should advance three teams. University and Morgantown should have a slugfest for the win. The rankings have University taking it by a scant 3 points. Preston is very solidly in the 3rd spot. Wheeling Park isn't out of the running but will need a very good day or a breakdown by one of the other teams as I have them 25 points back. Individually, 10 will advance. The current top 10 are Josh Edwards, Cole Friend, Jackson Core, Rocco DeVincent, Trey Smith-Tatham, Quinn Jacquez, Samuel Walker, Vincent Diprosperis, Jordan Thomas, and Mack Allen. Those within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team are Wheeling Park's Jonah Nizami (14th) and Wheeling Park's Isaak Murphy (18th). There are 47 ranked runners in Region I.
Region II: This Region should also advance three teams. I show Jefferson taking it fairly handily with Hampshire being in pretty solid control of 2nd. I have Spring Mills in the 3rd spot. Washington and Musselman could be in play, but it will take quite an effort. Individually, 10 will advance. The current top 10 are Chris Lucas, Nate Schneider, Cameron Jennings, Kyle de Nobel, Justin Gottlieb, Andrew Dorsey, William Saville, Griffin Sibole, Nathan Starkey, and Kobe O'Neil. Those within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team are Musselman's Jayden Allen (11th), Musselman's Nate Sidow (12th), Washington's Mark Maloney (13th), Washington's Nick Runion (14th), Washington's Daniel Moylan (15th), Musselman's Conner Yaegel (16th), and Hedgesville's Noah Cupp (17th). This one is interesting because so many that are close to the top 10 probably need to get in there to advance. Usually, those close to the top 10 are already on an expected advancing team, but here, 11th through 17th are not on expected advancing teams. And with so many needing to run their guts out to advance, it could shift the teams. There are 28 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This Region should advance three teams as well. I have George Washington in fairly solid control of the top spot with Woodrow Wilson hold a slight advantage over Riverside for 2nd. St. Albans appears to be the only other team with a shot. Individually, I have 11 advancing. The current top 11 are Trevor Carson, Jonah Stevens, Trenton Green, Brennen McGinnis, Jared Martin, Maverick Thaxton, Noah Endres, Tanner Ekstrom, Ian Wilson, Nadeem Jones, and Malachi Crews. Those within 60 points of the top 11 and not on an expected advancing team are Greenbrier East's Brandon Tuckwiller (13th) and St. Albans' Zack Wilson (14th). There are 29 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region should advance three teams. I have Cabell Midland well out in front of the field. Hurricane looks to have solid control of the 2nd spot, and Parkersburg South looks firmly in 3rd. Individually, 10 will advance. The current top 10 are Wyatt Hanshaw, Cooper Gibson, Sam Lerose, Franklin Angelos, Chase Pepper, Carter McKenna, Keegan Barnette, Cameron Marks, Nick Kenndy, and Nick Turman. There are no individuals within 60 points of the top 10 who aren't on expected advancing teams. The closest is Huntington's Carter Matthews (20th). There are 39 ranked runners in Region IV.