Championship Boys

Individuals to Watch

Up front, the first question is whether anyone can continue to push Bakri Abushouk through the entire race; the Cary star benefited from racing two top-notch South Carolina runners at the Providence Invitational. If anyone can stay with him, it might be Sam Miner (East Chapel Hill), although that might be a tall order for his first major race of the season. The second question will be, how fast can Philip Hall run with competition around him (the Terry Sanford soph wasn't pushed in running a PR at the Jungle Run last weekend). Candidates to contend for a top-5 spot include Abel Tecle (Cary), Clayton Wilson (Greensboro Day, if he runs in the championship race), Collin Loy (Southern Alamance), and Nick Tyrey (Cardinal Gibbons). It will be interesting to see the first race this year for John Crossley (West Carteret); sometimes success in the 800 translates well to cross country, and sometimes it doesn't.

Teams to Watch

This is Cary's race to lose, based on their very strong opener at McAlpine two weeks ago. Cardinal Gibbons grades out well whether you use last year's times or those from this season. An improved Green Hope squad will be in the mix for a top 5 finish. We will get our first look at East Chapel Hill, a boys' team with ambition this year, and it will be interesting to see where they fall.

Boys' Virtual Meet: This Season's Times

Boys' Virtual Meet: Last Season's Times

Championship Girls

Individuals to Watch

Sydney Foreman (Ardrey Kell) established herself as a threat to win nearly any race she runs with the times she ran during the spring, and she did nothing to dispel that in her first race this season. She will likely see Mary Grace Doggett (Cardinal Gibbons) for most or all of the race, and will probably be running beside Maura McDonnell (Green Hope) and Blake Dodge (West Carteret) in the lead pack. If Doggett's teammate Rachel Bartolomeo runs (she did not race at the Providence Invitational), she will also be a candidate for the top 5. Keep an eye on super-frosh Sophie Ebihara, also from Cardinal Gibbons, as well as veteran runner and 2A state champion Grace Morken (Carrboro).

Teams to Watch

Once again, the Green Hope girls are the favorite, as they will be in every race until someone dethrones them. A full-strength Cardinal Gibbons squad would be the top contender, but will they have their full top 5 in the race? The Providence girls ran very well on their home course, and they will have an evenly-matched battle with Ardrey Kell. If Carrboro runs in the championship, and they usually do, they will have a great chance to take home some hardware. West Carteret is another possible strong team, while both Leesville Road and West Forsyth have posted better-than-expected results so far this season.

Girls' Virtual Meet: This Season's Times

Girls' Virtual Meet: Last Season's Times

Varsity Boys

(Note: these have been adjusted for the race assignments released today, and I got them as close as I could to the actual line-ups.)

Individuals to Watch

Sam Williams (Bishop McGuiness) is the favorite based on this year's times, with George Webb (New Hanover) the only athlete with a 2012 result that comes close to his time. Expect Clayton Wilson to be right in the mix, however, and using last year's he would actually be the individual favorite.

Teams to Watch

It looks like the race for first place could come down to New Hanover and Bishop McGuiness, with Ashbrook and Walter Williams battling it out for third. Holly Springs and Forsyth Country Day both have solid returning teams, and they could be in contention for the top 5, as well.

Boys' Virtual Meet: This Season's Times

Boys' Virtual Meet: Last Season's Times

Varsity Girls

(Note: these have been adjusted for the race assignments released today, and I got them as close as I could to the actual line-ups.)

Individuals to Watch

Gabby Merritt (Greensboro Day) is the runaway favorite based on times so far this year, and Carly Kreber (Bishop McGuiness) is the only other runner to have broken 20 minutes in 2012. However, you have to factor in Brenna Kate Grass (Swansboro) and Jennifer Stephenson (Village Christian), neither of which has a big time yet this year; in fact, those two could be first and second before all the dust settles. Merritt's teammates at Greensboro Day, Lauren Smir and Kaitlyn Lingard, could also push for spots in the top 5.

Teams to Watch

This could be a very interesting team battle, with Bishop McGuiness, Greensboro Day, New Hanover, and Swansboro all capable of winning if they run well. Forsyth Country Day and Franklin Academy are possible top-5 squads in this race, as well.