The defending 3A girls' champions, E.D. White are looking to become back-to-back champs as they enter the state meet this Monday. They are slightly favored to win over University Lab, but that is not a given outcome.
E.D. White's roster is headed by a close front pack of four runners. In this group are Rylee Methvin, Elizabeth Rodrigue, Olivia DeGravelle, and Emily Smith. Methvin leads this pack with a personal best of 19:54 and the group is rounded out by Smith at 20:21. In 2020, Methvin and DeGravelle finished in 4th and 8th, respectively and other members of their team were just outside the top ten.
Rylee Methvin at the St. Joseph's Invitational
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E.D. White's success relies also on its fifth runner, Caroline Dietz. She recently ran a personal best last week with a 21:02 where she ran relatively alone.
The next best team is University Lab, but they do not have the close-knit front pack as E.D. White does. Lab's top runner, Caroline Cain, is a freshman that is just entering her first season of competition. Even so, she recently ran a huge PR at the St. Michael Warrior Run with a time of 19:32.
The rest of Lab's top five is more spread out and leave room for other runners to finish between them and E.D. White. Cate Williamson does have the chance to finish within the top ten though being a freshman and this being her first season of competition as well. Their team could possibly place all five of their runners within the top 30, but it will be tough to beat the E.D. White's squad.
Keep an eye out for the junior from St. Louis High, Ella Segura. She has run low 19's for both of her marks this season, on top of a 19:25 5k, which equates to a sub-19 minute performance. Segura may continue to run these times, but there is no doubt that she will finish on the podium.
Another girl to keep your eye on is Saige Christen of Patrick Taylor Academy. She is yet another runner that could land herself on the podium position on Tuesday. She did not get to compete during last year's state meet, and prior to that, she placed 5th her sophomore year. Christen is most likely looking to take home some individual hardware at the 3A championship.
Gracie Pepitone of Parkview Baptist may also make a top ten appearance. She has been consistent with her times in the latter half of the season and has proved to be a contender for a top position.
Alongside Pepitone will most likely be Samantha Ponzo of West Feliciana. Her times have shown some variation through the season, but she could even out in the mid-20 minute range for either a top ten position or just outside of it.
Cayden Boudreaux finishing 6th at the St. Joseph's Invitational
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And finally, but certainly not least, Cayden Boudreaux of Albany is the favorite to win with a season full of consistent times around the low 19's and a recent sub-19 minute performance at the St. Michael Warrior Run. This is her second cross country season and she is the defending champion. All eyes will be on Boudreaux to see if she can defend her title.