Cardinal Gibbon’s girls ran away with the state title last year with Heather Beichner also claiming the individual crown. They definitely look poised for another title run as the majority of the team is back and they added Raleigh area MS stud, Sarah Rapp. North Henderson will do their best to knock off the defending champs led by Sarah Willingham.
Breakdown by region – West: 4, Midwest: 0, Mideast: 5, East: 1.
2A Girls
1 Cardinal Gibbons *2 North Henderson
3 West Henderson
4 Northwood
5 Durham School of the Arts
6 Cedar Ridge
7 Wilkes Central
8 Shelby
9 First Flight
10 Orange
Also receiving votes: Ledford
The defending champions, Cardinal Gibbons, have lost a lot from last year’s team but still have Mark Sullivan who had a very good freshmen year. But, there are some team’s who were young last year and will benefit with another year’s experience. Owen is one of those teams. Owen returns a solid group of runners, led by Chris Patino, and gains a coach with much knowledge, ex-Myers Park coach, John Cline. They begin the season with the #1 ranking, but are followed very closely in the voting by West Henderson. WH returns 5 of last year’s top 7, led by senior Dylan Ellison. Could the rumors be true that they have a new runner who could battle for their #1 spot?
Breakdown by region - West: 4, Midwest: 0, Mideast: 5, East: 1.
2A Boys
1 Owen *
2 West Henderson *
3 Cardinal Gibbons
4 Orange
5 Northwood
6 Reidsville
7 Cedar Ridge
8 Surry Central
9 Brevard
10 First Flight
Also receiving votes: Northside Onslow, Wilkes Central,