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 is well out in front with Hampshire and Elkins strong favorites for the other two spots. Individually, the current top 10 includes Cory Hampshire, John Binotto, Alex Zurbuch, Josh Ferguson, Brandon Doughty, Louie Talbott, Ben Proudfoot, Kory Farmer, Tommy Boone, and Chris Ledden. Kory Farmer is a bit of a question mark as he hasn't competed since September 25th. If he doesn't run, Hampshire's Justin Oates is the next runner in. The most likely to step into a qualifying spot that aren't on an expected qualifying team is Hedgesville's Nicholas Belotte (13th). He's the only other runner within 60 points of the top 10. There are 41 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This region will likely only advance two teams. George Washington and Capital are solid favorites for those two spots. Individually, the current top 10 includes David Caldwell, Jordan Burgess, Adam Woodruff, Brad Dugan, Jordan O'Dell, Sean Cantrell, Evan Walker, Chris Prelaz, Chris Pratt, and Jeremy Smolder. Those trying to steal a spot from someone ranked ahead of them include Riverside's Jimmy Ivey (11th), Woodrow Wilson's Anthony Hancock (12th), and Greenbrier East's Josh Whitt (15th). 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. Cabell Midland, St. Albans, and Parkersburg are solid favorites for those spots. If Andrew Summers does not run for Parkersburg, things tighten up a bit, but Parkersburg would still be the favorite for the 3rd spot. Summers has not competed since September 25th. Individually, the current top 10 includes David Bias, Trey Beckett, Nolan Queen, Luke Finley, Dustin Meyers, Andrew Summers, Thomas Osborne, Corey Miller, David Osborne, and Dustin Stewart. Those that need to step it up to take a spot include Ripley's Preston Whitney (12th), Huntington's Darius Hadi-Sadegh (13th), Hurricane's Caleb Bowen (14th), and Parkersburg South's Joe Matheny (18th). Those runners are within 60 points fo the top 10 and aren't already on an expected qualifying team. There are 48 ranked runners in Region IV.
Region II: This region looks very solid for three advancing teams. It could get four out if both Lincoln and Paw Paw bring full teams. Both have had at least five runners during the course of the year. Berkeley Springs appears to be the class of the field. Doddridge and Tucker look to be close for 2nd. If a fourth team makes it out, it should be between Grafton and Keyser. Individually, the current top 10 includes Levi Grandt, Lenny Roach, Lucas Warner, John Mundey, Cuylor Edgell, David Rhodes, John King, Jake Wise, Denny Golden, and Johnny Macklen. Those trying to take a spot from someone above them include Lincoln's Vinny DeMarco (11th), Keyser's Ryan Shreve (13th), Grafton's Drew Woodford (15th), and Keyser's Drew Gilbert (16th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on an expected qualifying team. There are 30 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: It looks like this region will only advance two teams. Shady Spring and Richwood are the favorites for the spots with PikeView having an outside shot. The current top 10 individuals are Skyler McCoy, Dustin Wood, Nick Lucento, Jordan Weitzel, Matt Traybor, Derrick Chaffin, Robbie Peters, Stephan Cantley, Caleb Wills, and Todd Sullivan. Those trying to take an individual spot include Greenbrier West's Nick White (11th), PikeView's Brent Roark (12th), PikeView's Josh Easter (15th), and Independence's Ethan Wood (16th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on an expected qualifying team. There are 17 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: It looks like this region will only advance two teams this year. Ravenswood is easily the favorite. Winfield appears to be solidly in the 2nd spot. Charleston Catholic has an outside shot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Ben Wise, Nathan Rees, Kurt Gray, Alex Cole, Derek Murray, John Steadman, Chase Nelson, Robert Dolin, Randy Price, and Patrick Jividen. Dolin hasn't competed since September 22nd. If he can't run, that moves Matt Burton into the top 10. Those looking to steal a spot in the State Meet include Charleston Catholic's Tony Majestro (12th) and Charleston Catholic's Andrew Blair (15th). 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. There is a risk of only advancing two. Bridgeport or Buckhannon-Upshur needs to bring a full team. Buckhannon-Uphsur has usually run a complete team, but not always. Jefferson, Elkins, and Hampshire should have a very tight battle for the Regional Championship. The current top 10 individuals are Letitia Propst, Rana Conneway, Shelby Johnson, Stephanie Barlow, Andrea Nickerson, Carissa Guyer, Whitney Lewis, Lyndsay Hash, Cora Fry, and Chelesi White. Martinsburg's Jennifer Emmert (13th) is the only runner within 60 points that isn't on a team expected to qualify. Region II has 28 ranked runners.
Region III: It looks like this region will advance two teams. Those teams should be George Washington and Capital. With so few ranked runners, this region is difficult to score accurately. Greenbrier East and Woodrow Wilson have a chance to sneak in. The current top 10 includes Chelsea Jarvis, Christine Azevedo, Emma Moredock, Gabby Dugan, Leslie Thomas, Chelsey Houchins, Lexie Gutierrez, Rachel Swarts, Annie Loeb, and Elizabeth Austin. Woodrow Wilson's Haylie Davis is the only other ranked runner in the region and will need to have a strong race to crack into that top 10. There are 11 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This region can advance three teams. To do so, St. Albans will have to get five runners to the starting line. They've had at least six different runners compete this year, and they came through for their region last year. For this overview, I'm assuming they'll come through again. Cabell Midland is clearly in front. Hurricane and Parkersburg are the favorites for the other two spots. Parkersburg South and Ripley have outside shots at getting in. Individually, the current top 10 includes Alex Dent, Kylie Lemons, Andrea Sall, Rachel Williams, Rachel Riley, Danielle Winningham, Ashton Clemons, Brittany Taft, Sara Seebaugh, and Mary Cunningham. All the runners within 60 points of the top 10 are on expected qualifying teams. The closest on a team not expected to qualify is Huntington's Alex George-Walz (16th). Region IV has 40 ranked runners.
Region II: This region has a chance to advance three teams. In order for that to happen, Liberty Harrison or Lincoln have to get 5 to the starting line. For this overview, I'm assuming that this happens. Grafton and Frankfort are the favorites in this region. Berkeley Springs looks to have the 3rd best lineup with Doddridge having a shot at taking a spot. The current top 10 ranked runners are Rachel Buser, Rebecca McBride, Chanel Alexander, Kari Mundey, Molly Summers, Emily Coffman, Allison Tappe, Brittney Armentrout, Blayke Hall, and Kaylen Poston. No runners are within 60 points that are not on an expected advancing team. The next runner on the list not on an expected advancing team is Doddridge's Kylee boring (14th). There are 34 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This region may advance two teams. For that to happen, Webster needs to run a full team. They've had at least five different girls run this year. For this overview, I'm assuming they come through for their region. Shady Spring and PikeView are clearly the top teams in the region. If only one makes it out, Shady Spring has a clear advantage. Individually, the current top 10 are Chelsea Calloway, Emily Osborne, Chelsea East, Desiree Roseberry, Kelsey Paine, Katie Backus, Brandi Wiley, Trish Galligher, Laura Spencer, and Lizzy Williams. No other runners are within 60 points of the top 10 that are not on an expected advancing team. The next runner on the list that is not on an expected advancing team is Richwood's Katie Cole (13th). There are 15 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This region will likely only advance two teams. Charleston Catholic and Winfield appear to have the edge for the two spots. Ravenswood definitely has a shot, though. The current top 10 individuals are Megan Truelove, Ally Hoyer, Nora Sheridan, Ryan Dormagen, Holly Rooper, Emily Rector, Whitney Merrill, Morgan Bennett, Brittney Hoyer, and Anna Sampson. Looking to steal a spot are the Ravenswood duo of Stephanie DeQuasie (t11th) and Brooke Sheets (t11th). They are the only runners within 60 points of the top 10 that are not on an expected advancing team. There are 27 ranked runners in Region IV.