DIVISION V
The Division V championship looks like a three-way race for the title. With names like Highland Baptist Christian, Christ Episcopal School, and Central Private School, it is bound to be a great race.
Central Private School is one of the favorites to snag the title, this is majorily thanks to the team's two low sticks of Gabriella O'Neal and Kate Sumner. These two provide great strength for this team while the remainder of the top five will attempt to finish within the top 25. This team's best possible performance may result in a second-place finish, but the only way to know for sure is to watch the race this Monday. Anything can happen in this close of running between these teams.
Moving on to other teams in contention for the state title, we arrive at Christ Episcopal School. This program was extremely dominant on the Class B stage in the last few years and the team is looking to retain its hold on the small school field. With the possibility of three runners in the top ten and one more just outside of it, this team is in a great position. However, the single flaw of this team lies in the drop-off from its fourth to fifth runner. The interval between these runners is alarmingly large, but it has not been unknown for runners to step up when the stakes are high. We may just see something amazing from this team Monday.
Noah Watson at the Watson High School Cross Country Classic Silver Division
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Not to mention that Christ Episcopal has the best chance to snag the team and the individual title as well. Noah Watson comes in with the fastest time of the season and could very well run away with the title.
Last on the ballot would be Highland Baptist Christian. Though this team may not have as sound of a top four as Christ Episcopal does, it does have two of the best runners in the field. Both Ella Blake and Amelia Perello both have chances to claim a podium position. When examining teams side by side, Highland Baptist resembles Central Private very closely when looking at predicted finishes. So much so, that one could say that Highland Baptist is just a slightly better Central Private. These two teams bear such a striking resemblance, but it is Highland Baptist that has the greatest chance to win.
Some individuals to look out for include Dakota Miller of Simpson and Reese Jeane of Evans. These two both have a chance at landing on the podium, with the greatest odds being with Miller. Miller won her regional qualifier and recorded her personal best during her solo effort. Jeane placed second in her region, cementing herself between both of Highland Baptist's low sticks.