D1 BOY'S PREVIEW
This year the Mason (OH #5) boys might be for real. The team lost some great studs last year, but some new young blood has stepped up and filled the void. Nick Grismer (OH #1) is on fire, already posting a sub 15:30 time this season and is the odds on favorite to win the boy’s race. He will be chased, now doubt, by Cole Dowdy of South Oldham (sub 16:00 as well). After Grismer up front, he is supported by a solid cast of mostly juniors who are getting it done! If Mason can find a solid 5th they could be for real this season. After the Comets, it appears that St. Xavier could be in the mix depending on who they bring. They generally send their A squad north, but never count them out. The KY team of Cooper (KY #2) is very strong and will be in the mix up front on this challenging 3.1 mile course. Cooper has a great 1-2 punch of Zachary Stewart (KY #5) and Baker, both with great KY State meet experience. The Columbus teams are coming down too and Dublin Coffman looks strong and should challenge for a trophy as well. They have a strong front runner in Simon Alford and a nice pack to support him. The KY school, Collins has a stud who may enter into this D1 race. He rolled a 16:24 at the state meet last year and looks ready to rock! The team of Trinity (KY #3) from Louisville is also tough and has a strong set of runners as well. They are led by Evan Lang and Vince Turner, both of whom have already posted nice times this season. It should be a fun race, enjoy the show.
D1 GIRL'S PREVIEW
Well, just as in the past, the Carmel (IN #1) show is coming to town. They lost a lot of high quality talent from last year, but they have clearly reloaded. They still have 4 sub 19:00 girls returning, including Haley Harris (IN #1), Kelsey Harris (IN #2), Stacey Morgan (IN #3) amd Anna Schmitz (IN #5). They're #5 runner is ranked IN #12 and they're 6 & 7th runners are ranked 15th and 18th. The virtual meet has them scoring just 27 points, so heads up! They will probably put on a clinic like in past years. After Carmel, the battle of Ohio is on! Beavercreek (OH #3), looks super strong and will be chased by the defending state champions Mason, currently ranked #1 in Ohio. Mason has good firepower up front with Maegan Murphy and Ellie Brush, but so too does Beavecreek with Aurora Turner and Emma Hensley. It will come down to their 5th runners and the quality of their pack. Don’t count out Ursula or Ursuline who both have great teams and will not lay down for anyone. The Bulldogs of Ursula are led up front by one of the nation’s best, Annie Heffernan (OH #1), and a season best time of 17:59. The front of the race will also feature Grace Kelly from Ursuline, the Harris sisters from Carmel and most likely Alena Sapienza-Wright (KY #1) from DuPont Manual, KY as well. It should be a really good show, so don’t miss the fireworks at 9:00am when it all goes down.
D2 BOY'S PREVIEW
The D2 race is shaping up to be the Summit show if all plays out as milepslit would have you believe. They are clearly the most dominant D2 team in the field. After that, it appears to be Celina and then a whole host of teams fighting for third place. A few of the top D2 teams are headed north this year to Troy, so the field looks somewhat different and powerhouse Wyoming is taking the week off, but the race should still be solid. Springfield Northwestern, Mariemont and Taylor all have nice squads this year and should mix it up in the front, but the big surprise may come from the KY teams. Many of them have some nice talent and are well coached. Look for a few of those teams to surprise and be in the mix for a top 5 spot. Individually it appears to be Mason Moore’s race to lose, but don’t be surprised if Justin Prack from Springfield Northwestern gives him a run for his money. Summit’s number two, John Murdock is also solid as is the junior from Mariemont, Charlie Jordan.
D2 GIRL'S PREVIEW
The girls race appears to be the Kettering Alter show, but many other teams will be competitive. The small team of Morgan will be tough to beat, as they have some high caliber girls as well. After those two, the teams of Celina, Madeira and New Richmond all look strong this year. As far as individuals, it appears to be open to the Alter girls of Nichols and Petrosky. However, the Collins team of Shelbyville KY is coming to town and if they elect to run in the D2 race, they have a Footlocker national qualifier in Gabby Karas (25th Foot Locker Nationals, 18:13.90) could literally run away with it. Alexis Flynn of Covington Scott could be a factor up front as could Lauren McDonough of Celina who looks strong this year.
Virtual Meets for Boys and Girls' D1 Races
Virtual Meets for Boys and Girls D2 Races
D1 BOY'S PREVIEW
This year the Mason (OH #5) boys might be for real. The team lost some great studs last year, but some new young blood has stepped up and filled the void. Nick Grismer (OH #1) is on fire, already posting a sub 15:30 time this season and is the odds on favorite to win the boy’s race. He will be chased, now doubt, by Cole Dowdy of South Oldham (sub 16:00 as well). After Grismer up front, he is supported by a solid cast of mostly juniors who are getting it done! If Mason can find a solid 5th they could be for real this season. After the Comets, it appears that St. Xavier could be in the mix depending on who they bring. They generally send their A squad north, but never count them out. The KY team of Cooper (KY #2) is very strong and will be in the mix up front on this challenging 3.1 mile course. Cooper has a great 1-2 punch of Zachary Stewart (KY #5) and Baker, both with great KY State meet experience. The Columbus teams are coming down too and Dublin Coffman looks strong and should challenge for a trophy as well. They have a strong front runner in Simon Alford and a nice pack to support him. The KY school, Collins has a stud who may enter into this D1 race. He rolled a 16:24 at the state meet last year and looks ready to rock! The team of Trinity (KY #3) from Louisville is also tough and has a strong set of runners as well. They are led by Evan Lang and Vince Turner, both of whom have already posted nice times this season. It should be a fun race, enjoy the show.
