**I never saw results from the East Region.
This year's 1A state meet could look similar to last years with Hayesville's boys and girls at the top. However, on the boys side there is a new team on the scence.
North Carolina School of Science and Math finished 2nd to Providence Day last year in the 3A Independent School Championship, and now is looking strong again in their 1st year of 1A competition. Justin Scranton said that his Gibbons' team, ranked #2 among all classes in NC, had to run really well to hold off S&M at the conference meet. He was very impressed with how aggressive they ran. They come in ranked #1 and the favorites to win the team title, but if you look at Hayesville's time on the Tanglewood course from 3 weeks ago, it should be a battle.
Hayesville's girls are looking to win their 3rd straight title. They easily won the region this year and are led by Stella Snowden, possibly top 3 in the state. Bishop McGuinness' girls are also strong this year and will look to knock off the reigning champs. Don't count out Topsail either. They are led by 9 grade sensation, Zatha Loewen. Behind her is a strong team. Look for all 3 of these teams to be chasing after the crown.
Phillip Curley of Science and Math looks to be the favorite for the individual title. He ran 16:18 at Hagan Stone earlier in the year and broke 16:00 at the conference meet. Ben Hall of Polk County will also be up at the front, looking to win his 1st state title. Kyle Ingram of Hayesville broke 17:00 at the Tanglewood Invitational, running 16:54 which would have won the state meet last year. He didn't seem to have a great race at regionals, but look for him to be up there as well.
Zatha Loewen ran a great race at the Tangelwood Invitational, competing with some of the best runners in the state. She was out conservatively, but poured it on during the 2nd half of the race. She probably passed 15 people in the last mile. Hopefully it doesn't come down to a kick because she went flying by Rachel Park of Cary Academy and Eirann Cohen of Carolina Day. Anna Hayes of East Wilkes is also running quite well, defeating Nitz and Hofmann of Bishop easily in the reigonal. Don't count out the runners from the West, Stella Snowden, Kate Griewisch, and the defending champ, Elisabeth Elliot.
1A Boys Teams
West Region:
Hayesville - a very strong team aiming for thier 2nd state title in a row, they seem to match up well with S&M
Murphy - Dewayne Neal leads this team who has been ranked 2nd or 3rd all season, a young team with everyone returning next year
Robbinsville - led by Josh Davis who finished 9th in the region, again everyone returns next year
Polk Country - led by the Halls (brothers?), Ben was the region and is a contender for the state title, between the 2 of them they could score some low points for the team
Midwest Region:
NC School of Science & Math - led by Phillip Curley who could very well be the state champ, this is a very good team, can they win in their 1st year?
Gray Stone Day - top 6 were 1:04 apart at the regional, that gap will be important to keep at states
Bishop McGuinness - Will Scott and Sean Jordan will get the team off to a good start up front, they need 3,4,& 5 to step up for a top 5 finish
South Stokes - Rivas & Bunton seem to run together then they have gaps, need #5
Mideast Region:
Lejeune - top 5 were just over a minute apart, times are hard to judge on this course under sloppy conditions, maybe a top 5 team?
Topsail - led by Jimmy Reilly, they have a great pack for 3,4, & 5
Dixon - Cody Sekela won the region then they are very spread out
North Duplin - Justin Hicks was 6th in the region, next two are solid, but 4&5 need to step up
1A Girls Teams
West Region:
Hayesville - the favorite to win their 3rd straight title, Stella Snowden will be up front, #5 needs to move up a bit to assure title
Hendersonville - led by Marissa Blake, they are pretty spread apart 1-5
Murphy - led by 9th grader, Kayla Patterson, looks like everyone returns with 3 of top 4 9th graders, great experience
Polk County - Elisabeth Elliott will be attempting to defend her state title last year, need a #5
Midwest Region:
Bishop McGuinness - paced by Nitz and Hofmann up front, this is a strong team, could be state champs
Raleigh Charter School - Mackenzie Neighbors leads this team out of the region, 4 & 5 need to work together to move up at states
North Stokes - Hooker & Dalton run together, then 3 & 4 do as well, #5?
North Moore - no front runner, but a good 1-5, had 5 in before everyone but Bishop
Mideast Region:
Topsail - led by talented 9th grader, Zatha Loewen, this team could be dangerous
Princeton - led by Booker and Hewett
Pender - April James finished 7th in the region, then there was a significant drop
Dixon - congrats on making it to states, hate to say this, but wouldn't have made it in any other region (my opinion)