Key Losses
None, Return top 7
Key Returners
Ashlyn Bayadi - 19:26 5k XC
Carmen Jerrell - 2015 Individual 4A State Qualifier, 12:19 3200, 20:20 5k XC
Emma Georges - 5:22 1600, 20:59 5k XC
2015 End of Season All-Class Rank - 42nd
2016 Preseason Returning Rank based off 2015 times- 28th
Charlotte Catholic returns their entire top 7 from the 2015 season, and they have some girls that really exploded during the track season that'll make a big impact for them in XC. Emma Georges had a really great track season and should shatter her previous 5k PR in the first meet of the season based off her results. At the end of her season she got her 1600 time down to 5:22 and just narrowly missed out on making the 4A State Meet finishing 5th at the West Regional. Another girl who didn't run XC for them last year is Megan Dest who ran just as well as Georges did during the track season. She ran 5:29 in what looks to be her first year of competitive running, we aren't for sure she is running cross this season, but if she does it'll be huge for Charlotte Catholic.
Carmen Jerrell returns with a lot of experience from the 2015 XC season running at the NCHSAA 4A State Meet as an individual where she finished 88th. She focused on the 3200 last spring and should be really prepared for the 5K this fall. A question mark is Ashlyn Bayadi who was a star for Charlotte Catholic through most of last fall, but she didn't race, (or maybe didn't finish) at regionals and we didn't see her compete during the track season. This could be many things like she plays soccer instead or had an injury. But Catholic will need Bayadi in good form if they would like to push for a state qualifying spot. #3 returner Savannah Clawson has a 5K PR of 20:21 from her sophomore season, adding another variable that could fare really well for the Cougars this season. If they add Megan Dest to the squad they have a very strong top 5, especially when you consider that Emma Georges who ranks as their #4 might be their #1 runner.
Charlotte Catholic has struggled the past few years due to a lot of turnover from their coaching staff. But things look to have settled down and everything is coming together for the program. Despite the coaching changes the program has still been developing strong runners. If all goes right for Charlotte Catholic including a top form Ashlyn Bayadi and Emma Georges continuing her breakout from track season you could see the Cougars push the top 10 as a team by the end of the season. The 4A West better watch out this season!