DIVISION II
Division II looks to be an interesting head-to-head battle between two dominant forces in the distance running community. Vandebilt Catholic and Academy of Sacred Heart NO look to battle it out for the state title.
Vandebilt Catholic looks to be the favorite so far with the potential for three runners in the top ten and three more in the top 20. It definitely doesn't hurt that this team has a secured podium finish with the likes of Brynn Kelso. The weakness of this team is that there is inconsistency with these runners meet-to-meet. We're not sure what team will toe the line, but we know for sure that Vandebilt cannot afford to take this challenge by Sacred Heart lightly.
Brynn Kelo leading the St. Michael Bayou Boogie
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Sacred Heart might not have the front-end depth that Vandebilt Catholic might have, but it does have the advantage of Leah Varisco and Courtney Habetz. Varisco is surely in contention for a podium position while Habetz has a chance to slide into the top ten. To secure a victory, the rest of this team MUST be in the top 20, if not the top 15 depending on the strength of Vandebilt.
Leah Varisco leading the Jack Schommer Meet
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Some individuals to look out for during this race would be Ellie Bond of St. Thomas More, Lina Mills-Zacapa of Leesville, and Cayden Boudreaux of Albany. Ellie Bond is surely another contender for the podium, as she has run the second-fastest time in Division II this season and has not finished worse than fourth place so far. Mills-Zacapa is the Region 1 champion and has won 75% of the races that she has entered this season. This may be one of the most underrated names in this field. Cayden Boudreaux is another underrated name, She finished second to Brynn Kelso in her region may be able to nab a podium position if she has a very good day.