Will Deep Run Defeat GCM & Tusky for the 5A Girls XC Title?

Last year was downright exciting on the windy Great Meadow course. The temperature was cold and the wind bit across the runners' faces but it was a fair course and provided the perfect place for a race last November. Ultimately hoisting the trophy up was Tuscarora led by state champion Emma Wolcott who ran 17:55 for the title. This beat out defending champ Heather Holt by 41 seconds (18:36). 

Finishing in second last year was Albemarle with 89 points to Tuscarora's 75 and Hickory's 106. 

2015 XC MileStates Coverage Central

This upcoming cross country season could be more exciting than last and even more exciting than the boys' nail biter of a finish between three teams. The teams at play this year for the girls' 5A crown are Deep Run, Tuscarora, George C. Marshall, Hickory, Glen Allen and Albemarle. 

Leading the way on our virtual meet is Deep Run (117) with GCM (124) and Tuscarora (165) very close behind. Albemarle sits in fourth at 187. 

Deep Run definitely has the most young talent and also some senior talent with injury prone Margot Brown. If she is running 100% then they 100% run away with this title but given it takes quite a bit of time to get back to 100% it is looking like this race will be very close. 

Speaking of young talent though, Tuscarora has a 1-2 that is very young and very talented in Wolcott and Hassebrock. This duo could once again be the reason they hoist the trophy up on the judges' stand. 

Our sleeper pick though is definitely Albemarle led by Ryann Helmers. The Patriots think no one is going to notice how strong they are but it is very evident that this could be the team to beat in 5A this year. The best thing going for them and Tuscarora for that matter is that they only race hilly courses all regular season. If they keep to this trend it is going to be hard to compare the times but also very telling for how they will compete at states. 

If you average under 20:00 at states or Albemarle or Oatlands or Great Meadow or Octoberfest then you can consider yourself a serious lock for the top two. Those are some of the averages you will need to see teams be close to. 

Individually it is going to be a tight battle between Holt, Wolcott, and Martingayle once again. Though Holt and Wolcott have exchanged state titles the last two years, Martingayle may have the best chance at staging an upset over both. 

Doria has been running very well and was unbeatable yet again in the 3200 at states. If she can just make the next step or run a race to separate from them then we are talking about a very close race. All three girls have broke 18:00 in the past.