The Seahawk Invitational does NOT allow teams to enter 7 runners in each varsity division. That means the Championship race will have completely different teams than the Varsity race, while the JV races will be HUGE. On a completely different note, this will be the last week that we use preseason rankings in discussions about teams and individuals. Next week we will update the rankings to reflect this season's times, for our first mid-season rankings.
Championship Girls
Championship Boys
Varsity Girls
Varsity Boys
Overall Virtual Meet
Boys | Girls
(all teams lumped into one race, returning times from 2011)
Overall Virtual Meet
Boys | Girls
(all teams lumped into one race, times from 2010)
Championship Girls
Teams to Watch:
Continuing the early-season trend, this race is absolutely crammed with top girls teams. An astounding 6 of the preseason top 10 teams in the state, and 11 of the top 25, will be in attendance on Saturday. Green Hope's top girls make their 5K debut for the season (their second seven are ranked 7th in the state as a varsity team right now, which will lead to arguably the most ridiculous domination of a JV race ever in this state). They will try to assert their dominance over fourth-ranked team Ardrey Kell, as well as #3 Cardinal Gibbons. Carrboro's girls, preseason #8 and fresh off their Jungle Run win, will try to hang with the 3A and 4A powers here, while sixth-ranked West Johnston might be looking for a little payback after last week. #12 Pinecrest and #17 New Hanover defeated #10 Terry Sanford last weekend, while #16 Apex has their big-meet debut. #21 Providence and #24 Laney will struggle to make the top 10 in such a stacked field, but both are solid contenders to make the state meet this fall.
Individuals to Watch:
Kaitlin Kramer (Ardrey Kell) is the defending champion, having clocked 18:31 here last year. She is an aggressive runner, so look for her to get to the front in a hurry and push the pace hard. Her own teammate, Sydney Foreman, beat her with a strong 18:40 at McAlpine two weekends ago. Watch out from Shelby Howell (New Hanover) who gained valuable front-running experience by running away with the Jungle Run last week; her time there suggests sub-18:30 at UNCW this weekend. Joining them in the front pack will be the entire front five of Green Hope: Jessica Rossabi, Erica Amatori, Lauren Colberg, Mo McDonnell, and Sarah Alexander, all of whom ran 11:10 or faster for 3K in their only race so far. Grace Morken (Carrboro) and Austin Vass (Page) will join the fray, as will Esther Fisher (JH Rose) and Jentzen Jones (Fike). Blake Dodge of West Carteret will make her big-meet debut for the 2011 season, and let's not forget about two girls who went sub-19 last week: Frankie Perone (Carrboro) and Lauren Pollard (West Johnston). Finally, expect Madelin Talbert (South Mecklenburg) to insert herself into this intense competition for the top 10 places. Whew! Last year 7 girls broke the 19-minute barrier here, and if the morning is cool you can expect that number to double.
Championship Girls Virtual Meet
(Based on times from 2010 season)
Championship Boys
Teams to Watch:
Preseason #4 Ardrey Kell and #5 Cardinal Gibbons already went head-to-head once this season, at the Providence Invitational; the Crusaders came out ahead in that one, but they'll go at it again Saturday. South View will be looking for redemption after a sub-par showing at their signature meet, the Jungle Run, last weekend. Northwest Guilford is coming in off a loss to Reagan at the Guilford College Invitational, while the boys from Green Hope officially open their state title defense with their first 5K (and an alomst completely different top 7 after graduation). Cary had a solid showing at McAlpine two weeks ago; Pinecrest and defending 2A champion Carrboro also have solid squads. Watch out for a top-10 finish in the 2011 debut race of Wilmington's own Ashley, who have two "new" runners (one transfer, one back from not competing last fall), and if Leesville Road has their top two runners back (both missed the Jungle Run) then they will be up there, as well.
Individuals to Watch:
The #2 returning runner in the state, Bakri Abushouk, will be the leading candidate to win the race...at least until the gun fires, and several other runners take aim at him. Abushouk posted a strong 16:07 at McAlpine during Ramadan, and should be in shape for more this weekend. Madison Souder (Ardrey Kell) was just behind him there, while Steven Phillips and Tommy Schotzinger (Cardinal Gibbons) ran strong races that left you thinking they might still have a bit more to show. Josh Crawford (South View) ran 15:57 at the Jungle Run, and should be right in the thick of things Saturday, as well. Mason Boyles (Ashley, formerly of Hoggard) will be in the hunt for a top-5 finish, while Jeremy Gower (West Johston) and Zach Nifong (Laney) finished in a virtual dead heat at the Jungle run.
Championship Boys Virtual Meet
(Based on 2010 cross country times)
Varsity Girls
Teams to Watch:
Northwood, sometimes a bit overshadowed in the Carolina 12 Conference, will have a chance to shine in this race. Swansboro has a good team back from last year, but hasn't posted any results yet this year to indicate their fitness. Those two are followed by three teams that return very similar squads: Middle Creek, Cape Fear, and Village Christian (none of whom have posted results yet this fall).
Individuals to Watch:
Emily Vance (Overhills) has both the top returning time, and the top 2011 time, in this race. She will probably be challenged by Brenna Kate Grass (Swansboro), while Emilee Hensel (Middle Creek) could be in the hunt as well. Behind them comes a pack of Northwood runners, led by Julia Sloane, and a solid front group from Village Christian, led by Kristen Stephenson. Toni Dunn (Metrolina Christian) should put herself in the fight for a top-10 spot.
Varsity Girls Virtual Meet
(Based on times from 2010 season)
Varsity Boys
Teams to Watch:
Based on returning times, there are six teams with a legitimate chance to win this division. Give the nod to Pine Forest, if only because they have posted some solid results this year to show their fitness. Cape Fear has the best returning team, narrowly leading East Wake. Mooresville's returning numbers suggest they will contend, but their current times are not quite up to that standard; the same can be said for Middle Creek, South Central, and Metrolina Christian.
Individuals to Watch:
Cape Fear returns Kai Coaxum, who has the best returning time in the race, and Albert Green (also a top-10 contender). Chilton Birdwhistle (Middle Creek) should be in the mix for the top 5, as should Logan Jones (East Wake). Mooresvile has a pair of strong returners in Daniel Burzlaff and Casey Vitanza, while Ravon Reid leads a Pine Forest trio that has already exceeded last year's best times. Tyler Moore (South Central) could be a big key to his team's improvement.