4A Girls Preview
It's not often you get to see a team compete for their 7th straight state championship - it has happened in several NCHSAA sports, but this is the first time ever for cross country. That's the situation for Green Hope, the state's first-ever 6-time defending cross country champion (in either boys' or girls' competition). That would be enough to make this race extremely interesting, but it gets much better: to continue their string of titles, the Falcons will have to defeat a 5-time defending state champion! In fact, Cardinal Gibbons came one win (in 2009) away from being at 10 straight right now. The Crusaders claimed 4 championships in 2A starting in 2005 as the last 5 3A crowns, which ranks as arguably the best long-term stretch of championship success in North Carolina girls' cross country history (T.C. Roberson won 10 titles in 12 years).
The most amazing thing of all? It's quite possible that both streaks could end, as Leesville Road has as good a chance to win this race as either of the two defending champions. The Pride edged Green Hope in the Mideast Region last weekend, and they seem to be peaking at the right time. Expect Leesville to drop the hammer early to put pressure on the other two contenders, while both Green Hope and Cardinal Gibbons are known for patient, late-rising tactics. On a soggy course with a challenging 3rd mile, which team will have the willpower to get the job done?
Leesville Road has one big advantage, and her name is Nevada Mareno. Since her breakthrough race three weeks ago, she has been in another class entirely, clocking sub-17 times twice at WakeMed and ranking 4th in the nation. Defending individual titlist Elly Henes can help minimize that advantage for her Green Hope team by finishing second, assuming she hangs back to help set the pace for her teammates as she did last weekend. On the other hand, don't forget that Henes has a PR of 17:17. Also, watch out for super freshman Erin Spreen (Wake Forest), who finished 3rd in her regional with an 18:15, just ahead of Bridgette Sullivan (Panther Creek). The Midwest Region didn't run super fast last weekend, but don't let that fool you into thinking it will be a Mideast sweep up front: teammates Sophie Ebihara and Marissa Bishop of Cardinal Gibbons can run with the lead pack, as can Blair Ramsey (Grimsley).
The group that comes right after those runners, though, is the one that will help determine the team championship. Emily Pettis and G'Jasmyne Butler (Leesville Road) have both been well under 19 this season, but not in the same race. Annie Pierce (Cardinal Gibbons) is right in the same range as those two, and she can have a huge impact on her team's success with a strong race. Morgan Adams (Green Hope) has been remarkably consistent this year, and if Alessandra Rodriguez can stay with her then the team outcome would depend almost entirely on the performances of the 4th and 5th runners for each team. Two big streaks go into this race, and at least one will end - but history gets made no matter what the outcome.