Not only does the NCRunners Elite Cross Country Invitational provide the state's top athletes of all classifications to go head-to-head on the state championship course, it allows the strongest teams to come together and battle for the top spot. This year's meet features many of NC's most prominent teams, but a few of the schools you'd expect to top the podium won't be running their top squads. How will this play into the team scoring? Can you predict which schools will come out on top? Cast your vote and catch the action at the Ivey Redmon course on Saturday!
Girls Team
Green Hope, NC's usual powerhouse on the ladies' side, will be in attendance on Saturday, and we know top girl Elly Henes will be leading the way. Don't count the competition closed, however; both Chapel Hill and Cardinal Gibbons have been growing and could put up a strong fight. Leesville Road also has the advantage of a strong top dog to lead the way for the rest of their runners, who have also had some strong performances this season. Also don't count out Marvin Ridge, whose strength comes from the pack rather than an out-front runner.
Boys Team
Weddington enters the competition with a very strong advantage: two top runners who are nearly guaranteed to finish in the top 3. No other team has so much up-front dominance, but teams that can close the gap between their first and fifth runner always have a chance at a win. Green Hope and Providence will look to score high in this manner with hopes of taking a title. Don't forget about Cardinal Gibbons, either, as they have some superior top talent to accompany their strong tradition of a deep team.