With the Adidas Wolfpack Invitational this weekend, there are lots of questions on the horizon.
Photo: Leaders a little past the mile mark.
First the Championship Boys . . .
Can Green Hope live up to their #2 ranking in the SE Region? There is a lot of hype for this team and it’s well deserved. But, what can they do in their backyard against some of the states competition?
Broughton is ranked 5th in the SE Region. They looked awfully strong at the Kickoff, but how will that translate to the 5k this weekend? Again, a lot of hype . . . this weekend they can prove it’s true.
Chapel Hill is a bubble team in the SE Region and some are saying they can battle the two teams mentioned above. Led by Taylor Gilland, the #1 runner in the state, can the rest of the guys step up and compete with Green Hope and Broughton?
Enloe? No one really knows what to expect. They are bubble team as well, but can a Graw-less team still be a power?
Speaking of Graw . . . is he or isn’t he running. I have heard “yes” and “no”, both from reliable sources. I don’t know what to think now. Well I do now. The answer is "no". Graw is not running for Athens Drive. Sorry XC fans.
. . . and there’s more.
Cary Academy vs. Durham Academy
These are two very talented Independent school teams. Most likely they will be competing for the NCISAA 3A state title in October on this very course. So, who will come out on top Saturday? Is Cary Academy’s Thomas Graham the runner to beat?
Just how fast is South View’s course? Was Hoggard’s success at the Jungle Run legit? Coach Autry of South View said they looked very good and he knows what he’s talking about.
Sanderson? West Johnston? Leesville Road? South View? Just how good are these 4A teams?
Is Nash Central really the #2 ranked team in the 3A classification?
Photo: Start of the 2007 Championship Girls race.
Now for the Championship Girls . . .
Green Hope vs. Cardinal Gibbons looks to be a battle. Green Hope was impressive at the Providence Invitational and Gibbons hasn’t run all their athletes in the same race yet. Just how good are these teams?
However, Alabama's Mountain Brook is coming north to familiarize themselves with the NXN regional course. Look for them to win, as they are ranked #1 in the SE Region. Madeline Morgan, last year's NXN individual champ, will lead this team. We could have a great race between her and Adrianne Soo.
Chapel Hill’s girls are a bubble team, but do they deserve those votes? Coach Olsen knows what he is doing, so are they ready to prove themselves this weekend?
Just how good is Millbrook’s Samantha George? This freshman clocked an impressive 18:43, solo, at South View. Even if the course is short, it’s still one of the top performances of the season. She ran a 5:14 1600 over the summer . . . so really, how fast is she?
Like the Championship Boys race, there are some 4A teams in this race with big question marks. Apex? How will they be without Cozzarelli? Broughton? They could be a team to watch this year. East Chapel Hill? Terry Sanford? They once again ran well at South View. Are they the answer to the East? West Johnston? Lots of talent . . . how will that pan out? NW Guilford?
Other questions to ponder.
Who’s the best in the NCISAA? Providence Day beat Charlotte Latin, the defending NCISAA 3A state champions last week, but Charlotte Latin hasn’t run at full strength yet. Is Charlotte Latin the team to beat among Independent schools? Look for them to prove it this weekend.
Is Adrianne Soo back? Durham Academy’s Soo was the top runner in the state last year, finishing 11th at Foot Locker South. She ran well in Australia, basically running tempos. I was told she toyed with the other girls at the Durham Academy Invitational. So what does she have for the Wake Med course and Madeline Morgan?