Here are the Virginia freshmen who have a chance at winning states.
Jonathan Grimm (Jamestown) - Class 4 - The only boy on this list is one with a serious shot at winning. He has run 15:30 on the season and is under one second away from the Class 4 state leading time. He might be a freshmen but he is battle tested and running his best at the biggest meets.
Ayden O'Berry (Appomattox Governor's School) - Class 1 - Ayden has run 20:06 on the season and currently ranks second in her classification. Small schools do not travel as much meaning she has not raced much of the competition she would see at states. This could mean a big surprise at Tech this November.
Elly Nash (Appomattox County) - Class 2 - Elly is just two seconds off of the Class 2 lead and has raced some big races this season. She has won two races and was the runner-up at another. She has also raced a good variety of course types and that means she should be ready for states.
Petra Gruendel (James W. Robinson) - Class 6 - Petra is the real deal. She not only races amongst the best but trains amongst them too! Robinson is chasing the team title and that may be the best scenario for Petra as the pressure will be focused on the team and not just one individual. This could mean she can just go out and race. She does have very tough competition though.
Catherine Messing (Bishop Ireton) - VISAA - Messing entered the meet as the favorite. She is the fastest VISAA runner this year and the second fastest freshmen in the entire state. Her PR of 17:43 is fast! (UPDATE - won states)
Remington Freeman (Walsingham) - VISAA - Running in a different classification as Messing, Freeman has a solid chance at winning the title this month. (UPDATE - won states)