Regional Preview - Class A Girls

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 (or five) places behind the last ranked runner, their second unranked runner would finish six (or 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 seven, get them to the line. If you only have 3, get them on the line. Your region may be depending on you.

A Girls

Region I: Two teams will advance from this Region. St. Marys appears to have the edge for the top spot, and Ritchie, therefore, holds the 2nd spot, as it appears that they may be the only two to field complete teams. Individually, 10 will advance. The current top 10 are Virginia Haddox, Bentlee Williams, Chesnee Williams, Natalie Bartrug, Emily Ebert, Lexi Mathis, Jaela Davis, Jadyn Duncan, Andrea Davis, and Layne Kincaid. There are no runners within 60 points of the top 10 that are not on an expected qualifying team. The closest is Tyler Consolidated's Lily Haught (#13). There are 14 ranked runners in Region I.

Region II: This Region will advance two teams. Doddridge is at the top of the field with 4 of the top 5 and 5 of the top 8 ranked runners in the Region. The battle for the 2nd spot will be tight. In an illustration of the difference between a small meet and a very large one, Trinity is ranked 2 spots ahead of Tucker in the State-Wide rankings, nearly 20 points ahead, but Tucker projects out to take the 2nd spot in the Region. The two point margin certainly means it can go either way. Which team is healthy, and which one can get it done on the right day. Individually, 10 will advance. The current top 10 are Lexi Lamb, Katie Cottrill, Bailey Holden, Katie Hicks, Cassie Cumberledge, Erin Chambers, Jenna Barnett, Emily Gola, Addie Moats, and Sofia Pancoast. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team are South Harrison's Dakota James (#11) and Trinity's Evangelina Berry (#12). Berry would be ranked 5th, 5th, and 7th in the other Regions. There are 19 ranked runners in Region II.

Region III: This Region will advance two teams. Charleston Catholic appears to be well in front of the field for the top spot. Richwood appears to have the 2nd spot with ease. Richwood only has 5 on their roster, so they must all finish to take that spot. 10 Individuals will advance. The current top 10 are Bella Boggs, Hannah Fisher, Aurelia Kirby, Baylee Jarrett, Carlee Dillard, Alexis White, Lucia Okuno, Katie Collins, Sarah Turner, and Kesley Davis. There are no ranked runners outside the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team. There are 12 ranked runners in Region III.

Region IV: This Region will advance two teams. Williamstown is the clear favorite and could conceivably pull off the perfect 15. #1 ranked Alyssa Sauro has not competed since September 17th. Ravenswood's Samantha Maxson hasn't competed since September 14th. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that neither will be available for this meet. I still have Williamstown at 16. Ravenswood should easily take the 2nd spot. 10 Individuals will advance. The current top 10 are (excluding Sauro and Maxson), Brianna Winsett, Sydney Anderson, Lacey Dimit, Lexi Wynn, Ava Lightfritz, Hadley McGoskey, Brookelyn Reynolds, Emily Wratchford, Riley Sotomayor, and Sylvia Harris. There are no ranked runners within 60 points of the top 10 who are not on an expected advancing team. The closest is Wirt's Lily Cross (#11). There are 14 ranked runners in Region IV.