Our state meet predictions are based on results we have gathered
throughout the season, head-to-head competitions, regional
results, perceived potential, trends and (of course) gut feeling.

AAA Boys Team Predictions
1.  St. Albans		58
2.  Cabell Midland	54
3.  Capital		48
4.  Parkersburg South	45
5.  Woodrow Wilson	44
6.  Philip Barbour	40
7.  Riverside		30
8.  East Fairmont	29
9.  Huntington		22
T10.Buckhannon Upshur	17
T10.Preston		17
T12.Hurricane		14
T12.Roane		14
T12.Martinsburg		14
T12.Robert C. Byrd	14
T16.Morgantown		12
T16.Keyser		12
18. Ripley		11
T19.Greenbrier East	10
T19.Nitro		10
21. George Washington	 8
22. Jefferson		 7
T23.John Marshall	 6
T23.Wheeling Park	 6
25. Parkersburg		 5
26. Musselman		 4
27. North Marion	 3
28. Logan		 2
T29.Hedgesville		 1
T29.Lewis		 1

To our own surprise (despite them being at the top of the Power 
Rankings for the last couple of weeks), we picked St. Albans to 
edge Cabell Midland for the title.  Capital, Woodrow Wilson, 
Parkersburg South and even Philip Barbour have at least an outside
shot.  

We have St. Albans placing in 8 events at an average of 7.25
points per placer.  That is a high score and averages about 2nd per
placer and doesn't sound that there are too many points to be picked
up in addition to what we have given them.  However.... Mosley 
could easily grab a few more 100 points and Lukowski could pick up
a few in the mile.  Farry could grab some in the HJ and 110's and
the relays could pick up a few.  Of course, they also have a few
points in jeopardy but the picks seem pretty with just a couple 
seeming to be in danger of losing points.  Upside/Downside potential
seems about even.

Cabell Midland is picked to place in 10 events at an average of 5.4
per event or about 3rd per placer.  The have some room for 
improvement.  Kitching could very easily take 800 points that we
didn't give him and Jordan could pick up a few more in the hurdles.
The relays could gain a couple and the throwers (especially Weible 
in the Discus) could grab a handful more.  Any one of those happen
and they are right on top of St. Albans.  There doesn't seem to be
a ton of downside (although the hurdles are packed and an off 
throwing day could be their downfall).  Looks like a bit more upside
than downside potential.

Capital is picked to place in 6 events at 8.00 per event.  That 
leaves very little room for improvement.  They could grab a few 
points from Page in the 400 but the relays don't seem to have a lot
more to gain.  Davis could pick up a handful of additional points in
the long jump, but Capital will likely need a little faltering from
the teams above it to contend.  The seem to have little upside but
very little downside as well.

Woodrow Wilson is picked to place in 6 events at 7.33 per event.  
With Sorrells and Morris making up the bulk of the points with high
finishes, there isn't much left from them (a few points possible 
from each but that's it).  If they could squeeze a few more relay
points, it would help, but it appears that they will need more
help than capital and have more downside than upside.

Parkersburg South is picked to place in 11 events at 4.09 per event
or about 4th place for finisher.  This is a red flag that if they
have a great meet, they will be SERIOUS contenders.  Yes, we stand
by our predictions and our placing of them in 4th, but they stand
a much better chance to win than does Capital or Woodrow Wilson.  
Hawkins and Amos could pick up serious points in the sprint events 
and Nix could grab a few more in the hurdles.  Add in a couple of
relay points, some additional field event points in the HJ, LJ and
Pole Vault and the outcome of the meet is very, very different.
Don't be shocked if PS is the team on the podium again.  Upside 
much higher than downside.

Finally, Philip Barbour is picked in 4 events with 10 per event.  
That leaves the only likely chance for improvement on the legs of 
jumper Jones who could go as high as second on a great day.  A 
point from the distance crew is not totally out of the question, 
but even on it's greatest day, Philip Barbour would need a lot of
help from the teams above it.  Could it happen, yes.  Is it only
a spec of a possibility, yes.  There is some downside here for Mayle
and very limited upside, but never say never.

AAA Girls Team Predictions
1.  Parkersburg		60
2.  Martinsburg		59
3.  Parkersburg South	58
4.  Capital		55
5.  Cabell Midland	43
6.  Morgantown		41
7.  Keyser		36
8.  Hedgesville		30
9.  Elkins		23
T10.Huntington		22
T10.Wheeling Park	22
12. Buckhannon Upshur	16
13. John Marshall	14
14. Robert C. Byrd	13
T15.Brooke		11
T15.Jefferson		11
17. University		10
18. Ripley		 8
19. Philip Barbour	 7
T20.Woodrow Wilson	 4
T20.Preston		 4
22. Fairmont Senior	 3
T23.East Fairmont	 2
T23.Nicholas		 2
T23.Greenbrier East	 2	
T26.Preston		 1
T26.Nitro		 1

Parkersburg took last year's title in a runaway.  This year's meet
should be as close as the previous year's was wide.  We have picked
4 teams to finish within 5 points of the title (if we were calling
an election, we'd say too close to call or if in Flordia, we'd have
picked Pat Buckhannon).  When the dust settled between the editors
negotiations (and we don't count points until we are completely 
finished with the picks), Parkersburg came out on top and RunWV
couldn't wait for the meet to get started.

Parkersburg was picked to place in 9 events at 6.66 per event or a
little better than 3rd.  That means they more than likely have 
limited upward or downward potential.  There might be a few more
points in the sprints (and maybe a few less as well).  The distance
core was looked at hard for scoring and that means it would be no
surprise at all if the picked up a few points.  The relays might 
pick up one or two.  The best chance for points might come from 
the field events with Daniel in the HJ and Kaltnecker in the Pole
Vault.  They seem pretty even on upside vs downside with maybe a bit
more upside.

Martinsburg was picked to place in 9 events as well at 6.55 per 
event.  Nearly the same as Parkersburg.  Hoeck could grab a few in
the 100 and Peters-Johnson could jump several spots into the 200.  
They score tons of points in relays and there isn't much left 
although a field event point isn't out of the question.  Again, 
mostly limited upside with just a few additional points for the
taking.  

Parkersburg South was picked to place in 11 events at 5.27 per event.  
That gives them slightly more upward potential than the top two 
teams and that could make all of the difference in who wins.  Points
in the middle distance events could be there for the taking and
Dunn could squeeze a few additional hurdle points out.  A few more 
relay points could be in the hopper and the Pole Vault and Discus
might net a handful of points.  There seems to be more upside than 
downside although the downside is also there with that many finishers.

Capital was picked to place in 9 events @ 6.11 per event or about
3rd.  Cary might pick up a few in the 400, the hurdles could net a
few points and the field events could pick up some, most notably 
with Hansen in the Long Jump.  Pretty even downside/upside here 
but it would only take a few points to go from fourth to first when
the field is this close together.

Cabell Midland pulled off a big surprise in winning the regional. 
We picked them to place in 9 events @ 4.77 per event which gives
them some good room for improvement.  If Ellis and Young pull off
the sprinting that they did in Regionals, there could be at least
a half dozen more points coming there way.  The distance core could
pick up a few points and a couple from the relays would help.  All
three of their high jumpers could go higher (another possible 6 
points in the balance) and a few throws points.  Add that all up 
and you get very near the top teams.  However, with so many teams
at the top, it appears unlikely that all of those teams would falter.
Cabell Midland has only a very outside shot at 1st place but a top
3 finish could be within their sights on a great day.

Morgantown scores 41 points in 6 events or 6.83 per event (actually
when we say event, we really mean number of placers.  For example,
Morgantown only scores in 3 events, 1600, 3200 and 4x8).  They
are all about distance.  With a predicted sweep of the 3200, only 
downside may occurin that event.  The 1600 could net a half dozen 
points, maybe event more.  Stone might grab a few points here and
there, but getting 50 seems like a pretty tall order.  A shot at 
the top 3, but probably not much more.

AA-A Boys Team Predictions
1.  Magnolia		66
2.  Ravenswood		65
3.  Oak Glen		61
T4. Williamstown	47
T4. Berkeley Springs	47
6.  Doddridge		33
7.  Bridgeport		31
8.  Winfield		29
9.  Ritchie		23
T10.Tyler Consolidated	18
T10.Grafton		18
T12.Wheeling Central	16
T12.Poca		16
14. Richwood		14
15. Sissonville		13
16. Greenbrier West	12
T17.Mount Hope		 8
T17.Liberty Raleigh	 8
T17.Liberty Harrison	 8
T20.Independence	 4
T20.Wayne		 4
T20.Tucker		 4
T23.Shady Spring	 2
T23.Lincoln		 2
T23.Paden City		 2
T23.Gilmer		 2
T27.Frankfort		 1
T27.South Harrison	 1
T27.Bluefield		 1
T27.Meadow Bridge	 1
T27.Buffalo		 1

Looks like a great 3 way battle with our predictions giving 
Magnolia a slight edge.  Magnolia always seems to come through 
with some big performances at state meet and they'll need every
thing they can get to pull it off again.  The 3 teams are some
intermingled with those athletes going head to head that it seems
nearly every event is critical.  

Magnolia was picked to score in 9 events at 7.33 per event.  That
averages between 2nd and 3rd per placer.  That doesn't leave a
whole lot of upside potential.  Natali could grab a few more points
in his events (we don't have him winning any) but there is little 
in the relays and distance to gain.  The field could net them a few
more with Long and Emch both capable of picking up a few more points.
On the whole, though, we have them placed pretty high and not much
room for improvement.

Ravenswood was picked to score 10 places at 6.5 per place giving
them slightly more room for improvement.  Bowman could grab a couple
in the 100 and Reed in the throws, but the real potential comes in 
the distance events where the team, especially Snell and Benford 
could pick up some relatively large point totals (as much as 10 
more would not be surprising).  All in all, their point potential 
is higher than Magnolia's.

Oak Glen was picked to score 10 places at 6.1 per place, again giving
them room from improvement.  Everly could score another half dozen in
the 200 and 400 and Josh Simpson could net a handful of additonal
points in the distance events.  Forsythe has a shot at 110H points
and the relays could get another half dozen.  Again, they appear
to have more upward potential than Magnolia.

Williamstown could wear the slipper and crash the party.  We have
them picked for 8 places at 5.875 per place or a little below 
meaning they have a lot of upward potential.  They could pick up
several points in the 400-1600 as well as a dozen or more in the
field events.  That would slip them to near the 60 mark and if the 
other teams falter just a little, Williamstown will be in the 
middle of it.

Berkeley Springs looks to be the only other team with a shot at 
the top 3.  They were picked to place in 7 events at an average of
6.71 per event.  The could grab a few more in the sprints and the
hurdles and could grab a few places higher in the high jump.  That
is about it.  Doesn't look like they could add quite enough to 
contend with so many team being capable of scoring 60, but this is
the state meet and strange things happen.

The 4x400 should be great.  Ravenswood, Magnolia and Oak Glen are
all predicted to place in the event and the outcome will likely 
involve screaming for not only your favorite team, but any team 
other than the other two.

AA-A Girls Team Predictions
1.  Grafton		78
2.  Bridgeport		55
3.  Doddridge		48
T4. Magnolia		38
T4. Winfield		38
6.  Summers		32
7.  Sissonville		30
8.  Gilmer		28
9.  Weir		23
10. Williamstown	18
11. Tyler Consolidated	17
12. Moorefield		16
13. Webster		15
T14.Frankfort		14
T14.Poca		14
16. East Hardy		13
T17.Charleston Catholic	12
T17.Webster		12
T18.Petersburg		 7
T18.Ritchie		 7
T18.St. Marys		 7
T18.Cameron		 7
T22.Pikeview		 6
T22.Midland Trail	 6
T22.Buffalo		 6
25. Marsh Fork		 4
T26.Bluefield		 2
T26.Berkeley Springs	 2
T28.Ravenswood		 1
T28.Oak Glen		 1
T28.Notre Dame		 1

Of all the classes this year, Grafton seems to have the safest lead.
However, it's not 40 points so there is by no means a lock but if
there distance core does what they normally do, it should be enough.

We picked Grafton to place in 9 events at an average of 8.66 per 
event.  That is better than 2nd per placer.  That means we've 
picked them to pretty much top out.  In fact, they have pretty 
much nowhere to go but down.  We have picked them 1,2 in the 800
through the 3200 and to win both distance relays.  The only one not
picked in the top two spots is Kayla McDaniel the pole vaulter.  
The do have a couple of other people that might score points, but 
there is much, much more downside potential.

Bridgeport was picked to place in 9 events at an average of 6.11
per event or a little better than 3rd.  They have much more updward
potential than Grafton.  They might grab a few points in the pure
running events (100-3200) and their relays could score a few more
points.  The real gold mine for them lies in the field events. They
could score major points we have not given them in the High Jump 
and Long Jump.  The Pole Vault, Shot and Discus could also net 
another 1/2 dozen or so points.  That means there a lot of points 
available from several people that we didn't pick to place that 
may jump up and grab several points each.  Don't count them out, 
but they need to have a super meet and maybe a little falter from
Grafton.

Two Time Defending champion Doddridge probably has had a few too 
many injuries to compete for the state title this year but they 
could finish as high as second.  We picked them for 9 places at 5.33
per placer or somewhere between 3rd and 4th.  That appears to give
them some room for upward movement.  Doddridge might be able to 
pick up a few more points in the running/hurdle events and another
1/2 dozen or so in the fields.  That would still leave them well 
short of Grafton, but never say never with the Bulldogs who always
seem to be in the mix at the end of the year.

Perhaps the team with the most upward potential on the list is 
Winfield.  We picked 9 placers for them as well, but only at 4.22
per placer.  When it gets this low, a red flag goes up that screams
"They are dangerous."  They are in most every event and looks like
they will place or just miss placing in most of them.  They could
score in the sprints/middle distance and it would not be a surprise 
as wouldn't picking up additional points in the hurdles.  They are
picked to place in the low realms of most of the relays and could
easily move up a notch or two in each.  Henley could score decent
points in the High Jump and McGinnis is capable of a tossing the 
discus far enough to grab some points as well.  An upward spike of
20 points would not shock us and that would put them easily them 
in the top 3.

Magnolia was picked to place 6 times at 6.33 per place.  There 
are some points in the 400-1600 that seem reasonable and a few 
more here and there, but they don't have near the room for a 
jump in score that Winfield does.