It\'s Marion\'s boys and Abingdon\'s girls, once again in Region IV. Running on their familiar Highlands District course at Sugar Hollow, the 2 teams that have most often won this Region in recent years came out on top again. On the girls\' side, senior Emily Tilson of Marion led the way with an excellent 19:11, despite wandering briefly off course, on a course that she has probably run 8 or 10 times over the last 4 years. That\'s what Region race nerves will do to you. She still managed to PR by over 10 seconds, as did Marion teammate Maggie Graham who ran about 27 seconds faster than she did last week on this course to upset Abingdon freshman Kirsten Roberts (who also PRed)for second. Although having the top 2 finishers, Marion had one runner down with illness and failed to make state. The Abingdon girls ran well, set numerous PR\'s and posted a terrific score. They\'re clearly improving at the right time. With Katie Bowserman the only senior, this group has a great future. Cracking the top 5 at state would probably be a longshot this year, though. I\'d say that Emily Tilson is a good bet for top 20 in State, with a good chance at the top 15.
On the boys side, most of Abingdon\'s team ran PR\'s - and Marion still edged by them. Jason Yonts ran within himself to win in 15:37. I think there\'s more there for State. Behind him, though, guys were definitely busting it, with Tanner Cummings running a great 16:05 for Abingdon, and Douglas Fender and Jessee Johnson of Marion showing that last week was not a representative performance for them. Both the Marion and Abingdon teams are almost entirely underclassmen. Their best performances are probably a year away; they\'re longshots this year. With 2 Sugar Hollow times in the 15:30\'s I\'d guess that Yonts will probably go 16:20 or better at State; his ranking looks about right to me. Tanner Cummings should also be in the top 20, with the top 15 a definite possibility. He\'s a junior, and should be in the top 10 next year.
Good Luck to all at State