Regional Outlook
With the season winding into it's last month, it's time to take a look
at the various regions and see who's looking good and who still has work
to do. Keep in mind, these are not predictions and are based solely on
the current individual rankings. Also remember that there are only four
regions this year and that 10 individuals will qualify for the State Meet.
Region I - Class AAA Boys
It looks like three teams will almost certainly come out of this region.
Right now, it looks as though Preston, North Marion, and University are
solidly in front of the competition. Individually, the current top 10 are
Ryan Skotnicki, Eric Ryan, Bryan Hooton, Joseph Morris, Joseph Schaeffer,
Travis Mersing, Derek Daniel, Eric Frohnapfel, Zach Serian, and Josh Mullenax.
There are 36 runners currently ranked in Region I.
Region II - Class AAA Boys
This region also looks like it will advance three teams. Jefferson looks
to be in front of the field at the moment. Elkins and Hedgesville aren't
far behind, but none of the three are in the clear. There are other teams
in the region that could claim one of the spots. Individually, the current
top 10 are Matt Rouzer, John Windle, Bryant Cummings, Andrew Skidmore,
Jared Clark, Alex Zurbach, Kevin Thurston, J.R. Benson, Andrew Esquer, and
Barrett Peitz. There are 20 runners currently ranked in Region II.
Region III - Class AAA Boys
This region looks as though only two teams will make it out. Woodrow Wilson
will almost assuredly be one. The battle for the other spot will be tight.
Right now, it appears that South Charleston has a slight edge. Individually,
the top 10 include Matt Hensley, Silas Laws, Nick Walsh, John Underhill,
Gerod Green, Clay Cobb, Ben Swartz, Tyler Pfeiffer, and Benji Hamer. Only
9 are listed because there are only 9 runners currently ranked in this region.
Region IV - Class AAA Boys
This region will likely get three teams out, but there is a possibility
of only getting two. The teams involved should be striving for a top 2
finish so they don't have to worry about it. Cabell Midland is clearly
the class of the region. Parkersburg looks solidly in second for now.
Third is tight between Parkersburg South and Nitro, with Parkersburg South
holding a slight advantage at the moment. Individually, the current top 10
are Eric Cooper, Brian Bridgewater, Sean Beckett, Mark Parsons, Landry
Boggess, Cass Meadows, Josh Holley, Brandon Scarberry, Corey Waybright,
and Brian Floyd. There are 29 runners currently ranked in Region IV.
Region I - Class AAA Girls
Three teams should advance from this region. Morgantown and Preston are
well ahead of the pack. North Marion is currently holding the 3rd spot
and running well. Individually, the current top 10 are Claire Berryman,
Keri Bland, Amber Riley, Ahna Lewis, Kaylyn Christopher, Maria Dalzot,
Emily Corley, Ashley Teets, Hannah Vernon, and Mariah Hamilton. There
are 41 runners currently ranked in Region I.
Region II - Class AAA Girls
This region will likely advance three teams as well. Elkins is way ahead
of the pack. Jefferson is solidly in second at the moment with Hedgesville
holding the third spot. Individually, the current top 10 are Heather Saffel,
Lauren DeMarco, Sydney Metheny, Brooke Boening, Nashua Hammer, Katie Burda,
Erika Thompson, Tara Franklin, Kate Merinar, and Mija Khan. There are
27 runners currently ranked in Region II.
Region III - Class AAA Girls
This region will only get two teams out. There is a chance that only
one may advance. At this time, Greenbrier East looks to be the strongest
team in the region. Woodrow Wilson and South Charleston are battling
for the second spot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Elise
McClintic, Hannah Henderson, Anna Vandevander, Carly Stout, Chelsey Houchins,
Courtney McGhee, and Jessica Margolis. There are only 7 runners currently
ranked in Region III.
Region IV - Class AAA Girls
Three teams may advance from this region, but it's very possible for only
two to go. Parkersburg and Cabell Midland look to be well ahead of the
field. Ripley has a tenuous lead for the 3rd spot over Huntington.
Individually, the current top 10 are Molly Stevens, Chelsea Knotts, Rachel
Kenaston, Kelsey Griffith, Rachel Riley, Alicia Thomas, Sarah Boggess,
Alexandra Jaskot, Kathleen Dent, and Katie Kelley. There are 30 runners
currently ranked in Region IV.
Region I - Class A-AA Boys
It looks like only two teams will come out of this region. Ritchie is
well ahead of the pack. Williamstown is holding the second spot for the
time being. Individually, the current top 10 are Michael Hardbarger, Straten
Schemel, Brian Wilson, Justin McEldowney, Jesse Templeton, Andrew Harner,
Chris Gallaway, Cody Mills, Chad Taylor, and Sam Hall. There are currently
21 runners ranked in Region I.
Region II - Class A-AA Boys
This region will likely advance three teams. Frankfort and Doddridge are
solidly holding the top two spots. Tucker has a slim lead for the 3rd spot.
Individually, the current top 10 are Levi Grandt, Brandon Miles, John Natow,
David Orejuela, Shawn Dier, Clancy Lanigan, Ian Beckner, Wayne Ridgeway,
Brent Felton, and Vinnie Houdersheldt. There are 26 runners currently
ranked in Region II.
Region III - Class A-AA Boys
Region III looks like it may get three teams out. Richwood looks to be
well ahead of the field. PikeView and Webster appear to be slightly ahead
of a couple other teams with their eyes on a State Meet berth. Individually,
the current top 10 includes, Tim Jones, Jonathan Yost, Kevin Hanna, Zach
Williams, Seth Hampton, Derek Bishop, and Andrew Chaney. There are only
7 runners currently ranked in Region III.
Region IV - Class A-AA Boys
Three teams should advance from this region, though it's possible for only
two to get out. Ravenswood is once again very strong with Scott also a
near lock to advance. Charleston Catholic appears to have the edge for
the third spot at the moment. Individually, the current top 10 are Andrew
Benford, Jarren Morlan, Jose Shultz, Zack Noel, Ben Wise, Joe Chambers,
Jason Sheets, James Sheridan, Chris McGee, and Kurt Gray. There are
37 runners currently ranked in Region IV.
Region I - Class A-AA Girls
It looks as though only two teams will advance from this region with Ritchie
and Wheeling Central well ahead of the rest of the teams. Individually,
the current top 10 are Melanie Manning, Jamie Cokeley, Stephanie Caruso,
Kallen Weaver, Lauren Bauer, Angela Kimbler, Brittany Sellers, Ashley
Wolfe, Heidi Webb, and Samantha Crouch. There are 19 runners currently
ranked in Region I.
Region II - Class A-AA Girls
Three teams may advance from this region. It's also very possible that
only two will make it. Doddridge is solidly in front right now. Grafton
and Keyser appear to have an advantage on the remainder of the field for
the moment. Individually, the current top 10 are Rachel Buser, Clara Grandt,
Valerie Peer, Jennie Spencer, Nicole Tingler, Kerry Davis, Maggie McCort,
Alexa Jennings, Elizabeth Hyde, and Sarah Rosier. There are 34 runners
currently ranked in Region II.
Region III - Class A-AA Girls
This region might have two teams advance, but it's looking very possible
that only one might make it. PikeView appears to be the strongest team
with Richwood holding the second spot. Individually, the current top 10
includes Vanessa Adams, Lindsey Payne, Laura Spencer, Laken Coburn, and
Brittany Bolen. There are only 5 runners currently ranked in Region III.
Region IV - Class A-AA Girls
It appears that this region will only advance two teams. There is a
possibility of three, but it looks unlikely at this point. Charleston
Catholic and Winfield are well ahead of the field at this point.
Individually, the current top 10 are Kasey Jividen, Holly Rooper, Kathryn
Potesta, Kim Abcower, Nora Sheridan, Maribeth Jones, Carrie Burdette,
Heather Graffius, Gina Majestro, and Megan Farmer. There are 21 runners
currently ranked in Region IV.
Well there it is. Now you know how your region looks, who you need
to chase and who you need to hold off. There is still plenty of time to
make a move.