Written as if States were this weekend (July edition)
This should be a year of redemption and proving yourself for the 6A classification. You have the West Springfield girls, Cosby boys, Edward Cerne, and Julia Ghiselli all fighting for glory this weekend. All four are fighting for that first title and that means it will be extra exciting.
The first race will be the girls race. Team wise we expect West Springfield to be too strong to be caught but behind them we expect it to be exciting with James Madison, Colonial Forge, Cosby, and perhaps even Western Branch. Lake Braddock, a perennial powerhouse is in the state meet and always runs best at states so don't count them out either.
Individually the two girls to beat are Julia Ghiselli and Rachel Northcutt. Both have tallied up some big wins this season and look better than ever. Allison Fick, Sophie Tedesco, and Nicole Re are also going to be in contention so make sure you watch the big hill because this race will be decided there.
The next race up will be the boys' which should actually be even closer than the girls'. Individually Edward Cerne enters with the fastest time and is just ahead of Chase Osborne and Tyler Lipps. Behind them is a big group of athletes also with a chance at breaking 16 minutes on the state course.
Team wise you cannot make any assumptions this weekend. It will certainly come down to the last runners and be very close. Cosby, W.T. Woodson, West Springfield, Lake Braddock, and Patriot all have serious shots at the "W" this weekend. It will come down to the homestretch and that morning for who comes to compete.