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.
Region II: It looks like this Region should advance four teams. In order to do that, Robert C. Byrd or Lewis County must get five runners to the starting line. They both have them. Jefferson is obviously the class of the field. Hampshire appears to have a very firm grasp on the number two spot. Musselman and Hedgesville look like the best bets for the last two spots. If Hedgesville is off, Bridgeport, Elkins, and Washington could jump on the opportunity. Those three are within 30 points of Hedgesville in the Regional Power Rankings. Individually, the current top 10 includes Brandon Doughty, Eric Graf, Ryan Graf, Tim Loughran, Austin Rigsby, Chris Wilson, Sam Munnis, Joshua Davis, Cody McDonald, and Nic Bauer. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team that will be trying to steal a spot are Bridgeport's Matthew Dearth (T11th) and Robert C. Byrd's Nick Dyer (T11th). There are 53 ranked runners in Region II, including 42 that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region III: This Region should advance three teams. That three is a little shaky, though. 8 teams have run complete squads during the season. However, at least 6 of those 8 have also had meets in which they didn't run complete squads. Only one of those teams can be incomplete and still have this region advance three teams. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that they don't let their region down. George Washington is clearly the best of the group. Greenbrier East appears to be the 2nd best one in the group. The battle for the third spot should be between Capital, Nicholas, St. Albans, and Woodrow Wilson. The Regional Power rankings show Capital getting the spot by 10 points. So, the remainder of this preview will assume they have the spot. It should be noted, however, that St. Albans just beat Capital at the MSAC Championships. Individually, the current top 10 includes Matthew Brafford, Garrett Boggs, Chris Light, Luke Teel, Hayden Thomas, Trey Cochran, Levi Snedegar, Blake Woodruff, Quinn Doyle, and Josh Barnette. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team are Nicholas' Elijah Greynolds (12th) and Nicholas' Scott Moore (13th). There are 14 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region should advance three teams. Cabell Midland is far and away at the top of the field. Parkersburg looks to be the favorite for the 2nd spot. Huntington and Winfield should battle for the 3rd spot. Huntington appears to have a slight edge for the spot. Hurricane also has an outside shot, but they'd need an outstanding race and a little help. Individually, the current top 10 includes Jacob Burcham, Joseph Kirtner, Caleb Bowen, Patrick Jividen, Tyler Salmons, Ashton Smith, Jeremy Waugh, Josh Harmon, Ryan Smith, and Avery Campbell/Jack McGee (tied for 10th). Runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team include Hurricane's Aaron Peal (16th) and Hurricane's Jeremy Schultz (22nd). There are 55 ranked runners in Region IV. There are 49 runners in this Region that would be expected to advance from Region III.
Region II: This Region should advance three teams. However, of Tucker, Lincoln, and South Harrison, two must run complete squads. For purposes of this preview, I'm assuming that they come through for their Region. The Regional Power Rankings have Grafton and Philip Barbour advancing easily (with Grafton taking the top spot by virtue of their 6th runner). Keyser, Berkeley Springs, and Frankfort should battle for the 3rd spot. Keyser appears to have a slight advantage strictly by the rankings. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 that are not on an expected advancing team include Tucker's Chris Bonner (11th) and Frankfort's Shane Ickes (14th). There are 21 ranked runners in Region II.
Region III: This Region could advance four teams. In order for that to happen, Westside, Wyoming East, Bluefield, and Liberty Raleigh all must run complete teams. That seems to be a lot to ask considering the frequency that some of them have run complete squads. However, for this preview I'm going to assume that they all come through for their Region. Oak Hill is the pretty clear favorite in the region. Richwood and Shady Spring should battle for 2nd with Richwood holding a slight advantage in the Regional Power Rankings. The Regional Power Rankings show PikeView in the 4th spot, so that's what I'll use for the purposes of this preview. It should be noted, however, that Independence crushed PikeView at the Coalfield Conference Championships and that Wyoming East beat them in that meet as well. Individually, the current top 10 includes Andrew Shaffer, Scotty Treadway, Cameron Davis, Emmet Rogers, West Stowers, Tyler Kosut, Issac Cales, Charles Bard, Lucas Gardner, and Eric Lawson. There is just one runner withing 60 points of the top 10 that isn't on an expected advancing team. That runners is Wyoming East's Joseph Cornett (13th). There are 19 ranked runners in Region III.
Region IV: This Region could advance three teams. Much like Region III, this is a little shaky. Point Pleasant, St. Josephs, and Wayne must get five to the starting line. Again, for purposes of the preview, I'm assuming that they'll come through for their region. Ravenswood looks like a pretty solid favorite. Scott appears to have an advantage over Charleston Catholic for the 2nd spot. Buffalo is very much in the picture. The Regional Power rankings only show them 6 points behind Charleston Catholic and 14 behind Scott. Individually, the current top 10 includes Will Shaffer, Evan Childers, Ryan Honeycutt, Matt Knowlton, Forest Reed, Marcus Black, Brandon Harless, Ryan Lockhart, Danny Westfall, and Michael Mallory. Runners within 60 points of the top 10 that aren't on an expected advancing team include Buffalo's Dominic Rich, St. Joseph's Mike Mayes, Buffalo's Dylan Rich, and Calhoun's Zachary Hanshaw. There ae 22 ranked runners in Region IV.