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 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 3 teams. Frankfort should easily hold the top spot. I have Fairmont Senior edging out East Fairmont for the 2nd spot by 7 points. Keyser sits on the outside hoping to have a big day to make up a 15 point gap. It looks like 13 individuals could advance. Everyone has to be on the line to get this, though. 1 guy missing, and we drop to 12. The current top 13 are Ryan Hughes, Nathaniel Stuck, Josiah Brannen, Landon Jones, M.J. Niggemeyer, Gavin McDonald, Darius Gray, Luca Altobello, Colson Annon, Zane Nelson, Donovan Childs, Eric Alexander, and Trevor Wotring. There are no runners within 60 points of the top 13 that are not on an expected advancing team. The closest is Keyser's Matthew Denne (14th). There are 28 ranked runners in Region I.

Region II: It looks like only 2 teams will advance from this Region. Elkins is pretty much locked in for the top spot. The battle for that 2nd spot should be a good one, though. I have Liberty Harrison taking the spot by just 4 points over Lewis County. Every spot is going to matter there. 10 Individuals will advance. The current top 10 are Joshua Bodkins, Trevor George, Gavin Brown, Austin Shuman, Maddox Prince, Benjamin Tenney, Cooper Burkhammer, Brody Skinner, Adrian Bott, and Wyatt Miller. There are no runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team. The closest is Lincoln's Max Myers (15th). There are 24 ranked runners in Region II.

Region III: I think this Region may get 3 out. I only show 5 complete teams, but Bluefield has 7 on their roster. If they can get 5 on the line or if Wyoming East can get 5 on, they'll get 3 out. I think it will happen. PikeView appears to have the edge for the top spot with Shady Spring pretty solidly in 2nd, so if only 2 get out, it should be them. Nicholas is in that 3rd spot and hoping Bluefield or Wyoming East comes through for them. It looks like only 10 Individuals will advance (but if Bluefield would get all 7 on the line, it could be 11). The current top 10 are Johnny Walkup, Luke Barr, Tyler Huffman, Sawyer Dobbins, Matt Murphy, Eli Jordan, Logan Mallott, Nate Cook, Hank Marson, and Jonah Nolan. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team are Liberty Raleigh's Jadon Acord (12th) and Wyoming East's Tommy Wikel (16th). There are 18 ranked runners in Region III.

Region IV: This Region wil advance 2 teams. Winfield will dominate the meet, and it looks like Nitro should secure the 2nd spot. 10 Individuals will advance. The current top 10 are Brayden Marshall, Justin Lipscomb, Landon Brumfield, Trace Marshall, Lincoln Haynes, Lance Busse, Ben Codd, Brody Miller, Shadan Schoolcraft, and Logan Prater. Chase Parsons is actually in there, but Winfield has 7 ranked ahead of him. I don't know what 7 they'll run. There is only one runner within 60 points of the top 10 that are not on an expected advancing team. That is Wayne's Bryson Edwards (13th). There are 20 ranked runners in Region IV.