Many of the local programs in Northeast Georgia are known for their success on the trails, as is evident by Ga Milesplit’s preseason rankings.
Class 4A
White Co Boys #8 – The Warriors ended their 2015 season by failing to get out of tough 8-AAAA. Boys pack will have to reload after graduating a nice senior group, but 4 of the top 7 return including Sr Tristan Bertie who was the top finisher at region placing 12th.
White Co Girls #10 – The Lady Warriors were set to place as high as 6th in 2015 until Jenna Gearing snapped a bone coming down the final hill costing 4 places. The girls graduated Jenna Gearing, but return sophomore Jaelen Alexander (4th in XC and 3200 as freshman) and get Rachel Gearing back from last year’s ACL year. Ellie Gearing will now be a freshman.
Class 3A
Dawson Co Boys #8 – Dawson was a distant 10th in AAA last Fall and needs to step it up a bit region 7 or could find themselves on the bubble. They do return 6 of their top 7 though, including top runner Jacob Poston.
Dawson Co Girls #6 – The Lady Tigers ran their way to a 4th place Podium spot in 2015. Its not going to be as easy this Fall as their 4-7 graduated and some JV or frosh will need to step up. They do have a solid top 3 including soph Frankie Muldoon who placed 5th individually at State.
Union Co Boys #10
Class 2A
Banks Co Boys #2 – Unfamiliar territory for Banks and nearly all of the Podium contenders after Bleckley. After a solid 6th in AAA in 2015, the Jaguars should be punching their ticket as they look to have 6 of their top 7 back. and compete against some strong NE Ga squads every Fall. Samuel Davidson is their top returner from State with a pr of 17:13. Their 2-5 will need to pick it up to sniff Bleckley in November.
Banks Co Girls #9 – The 8-AA Leopards come off a 13th place finish in AAA last season and should feel more competitive in AA. Banks does return 6 of their top 7 including top runner Allison Smith. They need to get alot faster to push for a top 6 spot.
Rabun Co Girls #3 – The 8-AA Tigers placed 11th in 2015 (5th public school) They do return 3 of their top 5 including top runner Georgia Stockton. Their destiny will be determined by how much their 2015 JVs can contribute this season.
Class 1A
Towns Co Boys #5 – Towns rounds out the top 5. They will be led by Senior Tyler Grimsley. The gap between Grimsley and the rest of the team is quite a bit and runners 2-5 will need to see a significant improvement to challenge for a podium place in Carrolton.
Towns Co Girls #1 – The Lady Indians are the defending state champion and should win again. Junior Hannah Whitehead won the individual state title with team mate Taylor Cornett right behind her in 2nd place. Tara Lee Arrowwood place 6th to lead the squad to a dominating race. With their entire scoring 5 returning from last year, Jasmine Miranda and Emma Kate Ledford rounded out the 5, all within the top 18, they are primed for a repeat performance.
Commerce Girls #4 – CHS finished runner up last year to Towns County in the state championship, after defeating them in the Area championship. Kate Massey leads the way and looks to improve on her 4th place individual finish at the State Championships. Five of the top six runners return from last year’s team. If the ladies put the time and effort this summer, a podium finish in Carrolton is possible.
*Rankings published by GA Milesplit
