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 a certain number of places behind the last ranked runner, their second unranked runner would another number of places behind the last ranked runner, etc. Runners run above and below their ranking in every meet, and the Regionals will be no different.

Region I: This Region will advance 3 teams. University appears to have the top spot in hand. Morgantown should easily take the 2nd spot. I have Wheeling Park in the 3rd spot, but it's not an easy haul with 4 teams potentially in striking distance if they're a bit off. The Top 5 ranked runners that are not on one of those 3 teams are Preston's Damien Rumer (#5), Fairmont Senior's Landon Jones (#6), Fairmont Senior's Josiah Brannen (#10), Buckhannon-Upshur's Jack Waggy (#12T), and Preston's Landon Griffith (#12T). Waggy hasn't competed since September 21st, missing Buckhannon-Upshur's last two meets, so his status for the meet is unknown. Runners within 60 points of these 5 that aren't on an expected advancing team are Buckhannon-Upshur's Joey Nolte (#16), Bridgeport's William Northey (#18), Preston's Huxley Rumer (#22nd), and Brooke's Gavin Scott (#24). As in the girls' race, this Region will still be leaving home some very quality runners. There are 65 ranked runners in Region I.

Region II: This Region will advance 3 teams. Jefferson should easily run away with the top spot. I actually have them scoring a 15. Hedgesville appears to have the edge for the 2nd spot. I show Spring Mills in the 3rd spot, but just by 3 points over Washington. The Top 5 ranked runners that are not on an expected advancing team are Musselman's Silas Yates (7th), Washington's A.J. Atkinson (#9), Washington's Caleb Burgos (#11), Martinsburg's Jordan Baker (#15), and Musselman's Justin Jordan (#17). There is only one runners within 60 points of those 5 that isn't on an expected advancing team. That is Washington's Josh Molnar (25th). There are 29 ranked runners in Region II.

Region III: This Region will advance 3 teams. George Washington looks pretty good for the top spot. The next two spots are very tight with just 4 points separating 3 teams. I have St. Albans in the 2nd spot, just 2 points ahead of Woodrow Wilson, who is just 2 points ahead of Greenbrier East. The Top 5 ranked runners who are not on an expected advancing team are Capital's Micah Hale (#5), Princeton's Zachary Neal (#8), Greenbrier East's Jackson Carter (#9), Greenbrier East's Robby White (#11), and Greenbrier East's Grayson Adams (#12). Runners within 60 points of those 5 that are not on an expected advancing team are Oak Hill's Caleb Carver (#14) and Riverside's Tyler Moffett (#17). Region III has 21 ranked runners.

Region IV: This Region will advance 3 teams. Cabell Midland should hold the top spot. Things tighten up after that. I have Hurricane in the 2nd spot, just 4 points ahead of Parkersburg in 3rd with Winfield looming just 7 points back. The Top 5 Ranked Runners not on one of the 3 expected advancing teams are Winfield's Trace Marshall (#5), Parkersburg South's Josh Gill (#6), Parkersburg South's Gatlin McLain (#9), Winfield's Lincoln Haynes (#10), and I actually have a tie for the 5th spot between Huntington's A.J. Irby (#16T) and Nitro's Lance Busse (#16T). Runners within 60 points of those 6 that are not on an expected advancing team are Winfield's Chase Parsons (#19), Winfield's Ben Cobb (#21), Winfield's Brody Miller (#22), Nitro's Sam Aulenbacher (#25), and Huntington's Mason Dewdny (#27). Like Region I, there will be some quality runners staying home after this one. Region IV has 60 ranked runners.