Regional Preview

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. 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. Your region may be depending on you.

AAA Girls

Region I: This region should advance three teams. It looks like Univerity, Morgantown, and Preston are the favorites again. North Marion is only showing up 9 points off Preston, so they definitely have a shot. This is yet another year in which a high quality team (or 2) will be left home from this region while far inferior teams from other regions move on. Individually, the current top 10 includes Ari Kasprowicz, Courtney Yaeger, Allison Pettit, Jordan McDonald, Sarah Martinelli, Lydia Martinelli, Chelsea Clark, Karli Ridenour, Alyssa Scherich, and Katelyn Whisler. There are actually no runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on expected advancing teams. The closest is North Marion's Marcie Mason (16th). This region isn't as overwhelmingly strong compared to other regions this year as it has been in other years. 12 from this region would be expected to finish in the top 10 of Region II, and 13 would be expected to finish in the top 10 of Region IV. However, there are 52 girls in this region that would be expected to advance from Region III. Of course, some of those are JV runners that will not be competing at the regional meet. There are 64 ranked runners in Region I.

Region II: This region has a very good shot to advance four teams. For that to happen, Hedgesville and Robert C. Byrd must get five girls to the starting line, which has not been a common occurrence for either, but both have the numbers to do it. For purposes of this preview, I'm going to assume that both teams come through for their region. Hampshire looks to be far ahead of the field. Jefferson looks like a solid 2nd, though it's less solid if Elisabeth Rust doesn't run. She hasn't competed since October 1st. Even without her, the second spot should go to Jefferson. I have Elkins and Buckhannon-Upshur tied for the 3rd spot, so they'd better hope that Hedgesville and Robert C. Byrd bring all their girls or one of these two teams will be staying home. The current top 10 individuals are Letitai Propst, Alyssa Boucher, Andrea Nickerson, Danielle Lewis, Erica Voreh, Rana Conneway, Stephanie Barlow, Carissa Guyer, Shaina Kopelov, and Whitney Lewis. Needing to step it up to secure a State Meet spot is Martinsburg's Shelby Johnson (12th). She is the only runner within 60 points of the top 10 that isn't on an expected qualifying team. Region II has 39 ranked runners.

Region III: It looks like this region will only advacne two teams. Capital looks like a fairly safe bet. The second spot should be between Greenbrier East and Woodrow Wilson, with Greenbrier East carrying a slight edge. George Washington would also have an outside shot. Individually, the current top 10 includes Chelsea Jarvis, Christine Azevedo, Leslie Thomas, Rachel Swartz, Gabby Dugan, MaryKellan Curry, Liza Johnson, Kayla Bryant, Kaitlin Ball, and Cassie Coon. There are no other runners within 60 points of the top 10. There are 10 ranked runners in Region III.

Region IV: This region should advance three teams. Huntington will need to get their five on the line for this to happen. For the purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that will happen. Hurricane is clearly the class of the Region. Cabell Midland is a fairly solid second. Third is up for grabs between Parkersburg South, Parkersburg, and Ripley, with Parkersburg South appearing to have a slight edge. The current top 10 individuals are Alex Dent, Josie Crouch, Megan Truelove, Andrea Sall, Rachel Williams, Sara Seebaugh, Kristen Hayslett, Brittany Taft, Sahara Assi, and Nicole Prince. Hoping to step up and crack the top 10 are Parkersburg's Madison Hill (12th), Huntington's Alex George-Walz (13th), and Ripley's Brandy Gandee (14th). These runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. Region IV has 47 ranked runners.

A-AA Girls

Region I: This region could get four teams out. There's also a possibility it could only get two. To get three teams out, one of Oak Glen, Magnolia, Trinity, and Bishop Donahue must bring five runners. To get four teams out, all four have to bring five runners. Hopefully, these four teams won't let their region down, but having all four come through might be a stretch. For purposes of this preview, I'm going to assume that the region only advances three. Wheeling Central and St. Marys have been near the top of the charts all year. Doddridge looks to have an edge over Williamstown for the 3rd position, and did run within 2 points of St. Marys at the LKC meet. The position is not a given though, as Doddridge and Williamstown are scored only 11 points apart. Individually, the current top 10 includes Emily Kittle, Jessie John, Ali Johnson, Aly Carpenter, Beverly Knight, Kelley Mortakis, Bethany Carroll, Adalia Trudgeon, Hanna Kinney, and Brianna Robbins. No other runners are within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on expected advancing teams. The closest is Trinity's Sarah Evans (14th). There are 35 ranked runners in Region I.

Region II: This region should advance three teams. In order for that to happen, two of Philip Barbour, Liberty Harrison, Lincoln, and Pendleton have to get five girsl to the starting line. Grafton, Berkeley Springs, and Frankfort appear to have pretty solid holds on those three positions. I have only 11 points separating those three teams for this meet, which could make it anyone's race. The current top 10 ranked individuals are Rebecca McBride, Chanel Alexander, Sarah McCauley, Molly Summers, Brittney Armentrout, Macy Houck, Kayla Mundey, Kaylen Poston, Ardath Osborne, and Blayke Hall. However, Hall hasn't been in a meet since September 16th. If she's still missing, Keyser's Hannah Biser would move into the top 10. Those hoping to step forward into a top ten spot are Keyser's Hannah Biser (11th), Keyser's Chelsea Willis (12th), Tucker's Julianna Warner (13th), and Keyser's Kathleen Myers (14th). Those runners are within 60 points of the top 10 and are not on an expected qualifying team. There are 28 ranked runners in Region II.

Region III: It looks like this region should advance two teams. For that to happen, two of Webster, Richwood, Independence, and Bluefield need to bring five girls. I'm assuming this will happen. Clearly the top two teams in the region are Shady Spring and PikeView. No one else should even be close. Individually, the current top 10 runners are Chelsea Callaway, Chelsea East, Desiree Roseberry, Kelsey Paine, Katie Backus, Trigh Galligher, Katie Paine, Emily Daniel, Emily Osborne, and Sabrina Slone. No other runners are within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't already on expected qualifying teams. There are 11 ranked runners in Region III.

Region IV: It looks like this region will only advance one team. To advance two teams, Ravenswood would have to run a full lineup, and Scott, Herbert Hoover, or Wayne would have to come up with a fifth runner. I'm sure Ravenswood could manage their end, but I haven't seen five different names for any of the other three teams. For this preview, I'm assuming that only one team will go. That team will be Charleston Catholic. Individually, the current top 10 includes Ally Hoyer, Anna Sampson, Erica Hayes, Emily Rector, Joy Parks, Brittney Hoyer, Whitney Merrill, Megan Titus, Emily Sokolosky, and Ryan Dormagen. Those hoping to sneak in for a spot included Ravenswood's Brooke Sheets (14th), Scott's Ciera Bias (15th), and Herbert Hoover's Alexis Kitzmiller (16th). Those runner are within 60 points of the top 10 and not on an expected advancing team. There are 16 ranked runners in Region IV.