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. The rankings don't determine the winners, the races do.
Region II: This region will also likely send three teams to the State Meet. Jefferson appears to be at the head of the class in this region. Elkins and Hampshire will likely battle for 2nd. Hedgesville and Robert C. Byrd will need big-time performances to step up and steal a spot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Alex Zurbuch, Cory Hampshire, Mike Kwasniewski, Andrew Skidmore, Chris Ledden, John Paul Binotto, Louie Talbott, Kory Farmer, Nicholas Belotte, and Kyle Adams. Those looking to slip into a qualifying spot that aren't on an expected qualifying team include Hedgesville's Chris Stewart (12th), Robert C. Byrd's Aaron Butcher-Winfree (15th), Musselman's Brad Miller (20th), and Buckhannon-Upshur's Tommy Boone (20th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and aren't already on an expected qualifying team. There are 41 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This region will likely only advance two teams. They are actually in danger of only advancing one team. Capital, George Washington, and Woodrow Wilson have complete teams. Greenbrier East has run a complete team, but not always. They have to start a complete team in order for a second team to advance. The two that should advance are Capital and George Washington. If only one gets out, Capital looks like they have an advantage. Individually, the current top 10 includes Adam Woodruff, Jordan Burgess, Benji Hamer, David Caldwell, Sean Cantrell, Bradley Dugan, Chris Pratt, Jordan O'Dell, Chris Prelaz, and Yuyu Koda. Those trying to steal a spot from someone ranked ahead of them include Woodrow Wilson's Anthony Hancock (15th) and Woodrow Wilson's Brennon Zerbe (16th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and aren't already on an expected qualifying team. There are 17 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This region looks like it will advance three teams, but everyone that has been running a complete team must do so at the Regional Meet. I'm going to assume that will happen. Cabell Midland and Parkersburg appear to be very solid in the first two spots. The third spot looks like a battle between Parkersburg South and Ripley. South looks to have a slight edge coming into the meet. Individually, the current top 10 is David Bias, Corey Waybright, Sam Vincent, Brian Blanc, Cass Meadows, Nolan Queen, Dustin Meyers, Kyle McCallister, John Cluff, and Trey Beckett. Those that need to step it up to take a spot include Nitro's Seth Easter (13th), Ripley's Andrew Sarver (14th), St. Albans' Lance Wheeler (15th), and Nitro's Jamie Kerns (16th). Those runners are within 60 points fo the top 10 and aren't already on an expected qualifying team. There are 41 ranked runners in Region IV.
Region II: This region looks like it may advance four teams again. 10 schools have run complete teams at some point this season, and an 11th has enough guys that they can field a full team if they all run. This region is tough to call. Strictly from a rankings standpoint, the first three teams are separated by only 9 points in this meet. Tucker appears to be a slight favorite over Berekely Springs, but Keyser appears to have better depth than either and may take the Regional title. Doddridge is the favorite for the 4th spot but could move up if one of the other teams has a bad day. The current top 10 individuals are Levi Grandt, Lenny Roach, Lucas Warner, Cuylor Edgell, John Lowther, Denny Golden, David Rhodes, Johnny Macklen, Randy Arnold, and Ryan Shreve. Those trying to take a spot from someone above them include Pendleton's Allen Dove (11th), Grafton's Justin Wright (13th), Lincoln's Vinnie DeMarco (14th), and Liberty Harrison's Timmy Cobos (15th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and aren't already on an expected qualifying team. There are 22 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: It looks like this region will only advance two teams. There are really four teams that have a shot here: Independence, PikeView, Shady Spring, and Webster. The rankings tell me that PikeView and Webster are the teams to beat, so that's how I'll approach the overview. The current top 10 individuals are Skyler McCoy, Nick Lucento, Spencer Naley, Brent Roark, Jordan Weitzel, Matt Traybor, Michael Sanson, Dustin Wood, Josh Easter, and Zachary Crawford. Naley just ran his first meet since September 23rd on Monday, and may not be in prime form. Those trying to take an individual spot include Independence's Ethan Wood (11th), Independence's Craig Smith (12th), and Richwood's Ronald Miller (15th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on an expected qualifying team. There are 15 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This region has a chance to get three teams out. 8 schools have run complete teams at some point this season. However, only five have done so consistently. At least two of Herbert Hoover, Wayne, and Sherman have to bring five to the starting line in order to get a third team to advance. For this overview, I'll assume that happens. Ravenswood is obvious top of the heap. The battle for 2nd should be between Winfield and Charleston Catholic with Winfield looking like they have a small advantage. Scott looks like it will be on the outside looking in. The current top 10 individuals are Zack Noel, Ben Wise, Kurt Gray, John Steadman, Nathan Rees, Dusty Mullins, Alex Cole, Ben Miller, Robbie Sherrard, and Andrew Blair. Those looking to steal a spot in the State Meet include Scott's Robert Dolin (14th), Roane's Randy Price (15th), Herbert Hoover's Curtis Shamblin (16th), Gilmer's Dylan Tomblin (18th), and Scott's Chase Nelson (21st). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on a team expected to advance. There are 29 ranked runners in Region IV.
Region II: This region should advance three teams. All 9 regional teams have run complete teams at some point. But four of them haven't always done so. For this overview, I'm going to assume that three will be coming out. It looks like Elkins, Jefferson, and Hedgesville have solid grips on those spots. If only two come out, Jefferson and Hedgesville will be battling. The current top 10 individuals are Brooke Boening, Lauren DeMarco, Rana Conneway, Sydney Metheny, Stephanie Barlow, Chelesi White, Andrea Nickerson, Shelby Johnson, Alyssa Meadows, and Cora Fry. Those trying to sneak in include Martinsburg's Jennifer Emmert (11th), and Musselman's Stephanie Cadwalader (16th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on a team expected to advance. Region II has 36 ranked runners.
Region III: It looks like thsi region will advance two teams. Those teams should be Capital and George Washington. Individually, the current top 10 includes. Hannah Henderson, Christine Azevedo, Chelsea Jarvis, Emma Moredock, Julia Dombeck, Kaitlin Ball, Chelsey Houchins, Elizabeth Austin, Emily Boggs, and Danielle Conrad. However, Moredock hasn't competed since mid-September. I don't know her status, but I'm assuming she won't be running. That means at least one unranked runner will qualify as an individual from this region. I'll be surprised if it's not two or three. Region III has 10 ranked runners.
Region IV: It looks like this region will only be sending two teams this year. They could get a third, but someone that hasn't run a complete team all year will have to do so at the Regional. It could happen, but for this overview, I'm not counting on it. Cabell Midland should advance with ease. What a battle for the 2nd spot, though. The rankings show Parkersburg nipping Ripley by 1 point, which is exactly what happened at the MSAC Conference Meet. No one can afford to have a bad day. I wouldn't completely rule out Hurricane either. They score out only 14 points behind Ripley. The current top 10 individuals are Alex Dent, Rachel Riley, Alicia Thomas, Kylie Lemons, Ashton Clemons, Rachel Williams, Danielle Winningham, Alexandra Jaskot, Ellen Kist, and Brandy Gandee. Those trying to take an individual spot away from a higher ranked runner include Ripley's Chelsea Knotts (13th). She is the only runner within 60 points of the top 10 that is not on an expected advancing team. Region IV has 42 ranked runners.
Region II: Much like last year, this region should advance three teams if all that have a full squad brings them on Thursday. If one school doesn't bring their full team, then one of the top five teams in the State will be staying home. If that happens, it won't be because they weren't good enough, but because someone from another team was sick or had a soccer game. Can you imagine in Football, telling the 16th ranked team they couldn't go to the playoffs because the 34th ranked team only played 9 games? Anyway, if all the full teams show up, three get out. This overview will assume that no one lets their Region down. Scoring by the rankings shows Berkeley Springs well ahead with 35. Grafton scores out just two points ahead of Doddridge for 2nd. However, that assumes Berkeley Springs will have Meghan Mock. She's only run in one meet for them this season. Toss her out and its 45,50, and 51. It's going to be tight for this one. Individually, the current top 10 runners are Rachel Buser, Brenna Henry, Naomi Hyde, Kari Mundey, Maria Saunders, Megan Miller, Kylee Boring, Jessie Bauer, Ardath Osborne, and Kaylen Poston. Those looking to steal a spot include Keyser's Kathleen Myers (13th), Frankfort's Crystal Moreland (14th), and Tucker's Mary Beth Smith (16th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on a team expected to advance. There are 39 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This region may advance two teams. Independence has run a complete team a few times this year. They must do so again to advance a second team. Shady Spring and PikeView are easily the best teams in this region. If only one team is going to make it out, it will be a very tight battle. Scoring it from the rankings puts Shady Spring 4 points ahead of PikeView. Their last three meeting have resulted in Shady wins by 1, 4, and 3 points with the 1 point win being the most recent. Individually, the current top 10 are Laken Coburn, Chelsea Calloway, Emily Osborne, Trish Galligher, Katie Backus, Brandi Wiley, Sabrina Slone, Kelsey Paine, Stacy Rogers, and Brittany Bolen and Kaity Cole tied for the 10th spot. Trying to fight their way in are Greenbrier West's Brittany Bolen (tied for 10th), Richwood's Kaity Cole (tied for 10th), and Richwood's Laura Spencer (13th). There are 13 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This region is in danger of only advancing one team. If Calhoun brings a full team, the region will advance two teams. Calhoun ran a full squad at the LKC Conference Meet, so for this overview, I will assume that they bring their full team. Charleston Catholic and Winfield are easily the top dogs in the field with Charleston Catholic scoring out a mere 3 points better than Winfield. This is a situation, much like in Region II, where a top 5 in the State caliber team could get left home because someone from another team has something else to do. The current top 10 individuals are Megan Truelove, Darby Mullen, Lisa Day, Kim Abcouwer, Nora Sheridan, Kathryn Potesta, Ryan Dormagen, Heather Graffius, Whitney Clay, and Caitlin Miller. In this group, Darby Mullen hasn't competed since September 23rd, making her questionable for the Regional. I don't know her status. If she does not run, that moves Caitlyn Nelson into the 10th spot. Looking to steal a spot is Scott's Caitlyn Nelson (11th). She is the only runner within 60 points of the top 10 not on a team expected to qualify. There are 23 ranked runners in Region IV.