2021 S.C. State Championships Previews, Coach Predictions

Lexington will be the favorite to raise the 5A boys championship trophy at this weekend's state meet.

The race will begin at 9:30 Friday morning at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

The Wildcats are led by seniors Owen Harries and Zander Jeffcoat, and junior Grant Goldsmith, all capable of top 10 finishes. Senior Judson Taylor will also be heavily depended on top earn valuable points.

Team predictions

Fort Mill, Wade Hampton and Chapin could have a lot to say about who will contend with Lexington.

Wade Hampton's Jake Wadas, who is the favorite to take the individual title, along with Chapin's Holden Tutich and Fort Mill's Devon Sibley and Evan Wey could help pull a possible upset of the Wildcats.

Dark horses for the team title include T.L. Hanna, Wando, J.L. Mann, Dorman, River Bluff and Spartanburg.

Individually, Spartanburg senior John Bolinger, Riverside freshman Ty Jones, Wade Hampton senior Trey Sullivan and J.L. Mann senior Simon Draper are expected to compete for top finishes.

AAAAA girls

It should be a four team race for the title at the 5A girls cross country state championship meet.

The race is set for 9 a.m. on Friday at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

J.L. Mann, Lexington, Chapin and Riverside will battle it out with the Patriots as the favorite.

J.L. Mann senior Madison Roush is the favorite to take the individual title. She will be heavily contested by Chapin sophomore sensation Abigail White and eighth grade wonder Georgia Babcock. Lexington will bring double trouble with seventh grader Kendra Miles and freshman Laurel Walls. Freshman Lydia Metz could add a triple threat to the Wildcats.

Others to keep an eye on include Fort Mill freshman Alivia Cleveland and eighth grader Avery Moriarty, and the J.L. Mann junior duo of Kennedy Roush and Sofie Kurzawa.

AAAA boys

The 4A boys cross country state championship appears to run through Greenville as the Red Raiders are the favorite to win it all.

The race will begin at 9:30 Thursday morning at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Greenville is led by sophomore Knox Young and senior Alex Lear.

The battle for runner-up should be won by Catawba Ridge, who is led by individual favorite senior Sam Rich.

From there, third place could end up as a six-team race between Walhalla, Irmo, James Island, A.C. Flora, West Florence and Bluffton.

Other individuals to watch include Dreher junior Sam Kolowith, West Florence senior Charles Mazick, Travelers Rest senior Griffin Gillespie and Walhalla sophomore Elijah Poore.

AAAA girls

James Island is ready to leave everyone else deserted as it comes into the 4A girls cross country state championship as the favorite.

Sophomore Hannah Vroon hopes to make it a clean sweep for James Island entering as the individual favorite.

Team predictions

May River and Greenville expect a tight race for runner-up. May River is led by junior Anya Arroyo. The Red Raiders will counter with junior Caroline Lyerly and sophomore Amelia Grey. Bluffton and Eastside come into the meet as dark horses.

Individual predictions

Individuals to keep an eye on are Greer junior Greta White, North Myrtle Beach seventh grader Robyn Walsh, Aiken senior Victoria Colon-LaBorde, Beaufort junior Charlize Antia, James Island junior M.K. Huddleston, and Hartsville sophomore Katie Nutt.

AAA boys

It will be a tight race for the title between Pendleton and Waccamaw at the 3A boys state championship meet.The race will begin at noon on Thursday at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

Pendleton will be led by individual title favorite and senior leader Ronan O'Neill. The Bulldogs will also depend heavily on junior Martin Che.

Individual predictions

Others to watch are Bishop England sophomores Justin Hafner and James Romano, as well as Benton-Honea Path junior Austin Davenport and senior Thaddaeus Bertoni. Wren senior William Wright, Broome senior Sam Shimanskiy and Fairfield Central senior Joshua Mosley also will be factors.

AAA girls

Daniel and Waccamaw will battle it out for the 3A girls state championship on Thursday. The race will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

Bishop England, Pendleton, Academic Magnet and Wren will also expect top finishes.

Individually, Fox Creek teammates will compete for the title. Junior Bella Cagle is the favorite with freshman Aniyah DeLeon slated as runner-up.

Waccamaw juniors Anna Margaret Loftis and Gia Leone, Chapman senior Emma Whitaker and Daniel freshman Ashby Williams could also be in the mix.

AA boys

Greer Middle College is the overwhelming favorite to claim the 2A boys cross country state championship.

The race will start at 11 Friday morning at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

GMC has a strong lineup led by individual title favorites in junior Jake Dentler and senior Adam Trusty. Sophomore Noah Connor, senior Avery Biggerstaff, and junior Daniel Vera will also lead the team.

Individual predictions

Christ Church is expected to vouch for the runner-up trophy, led by sophomore Jake Hinds.

Other individuals that should compete for top spots include Liberty sophomore Issac Esuary, Philip Simmons sophomores Ryan Rousseau and Ian Mullaney and Timberland junior Cayden Chance.

AA girls

Greer Middle College is primed to claim the 2A girls cross country state championship.

The race will start at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

GMC is led by triple threat in junior Hattie Jennings, who is the favorite to win the individual championship, sophomore Sophia DiPasqua and freshman Elizabeth Markwell. Juniors Catherine Taylor and Kelsey Smith will also be heavily leaned upon.

Philip Simmons, Christ Church, Landrum and St. Joseph's will also fight for top spots.

Individual predictions

Other individuals to watch include Phillip Simmons sophomores Emmy Wood, Hailey Meyers and Josie May, St. Joseph's sophomore Nina Brown and Christ Church senior Mary Kathryn Jones and freshman Eliza Roy.

A boys

Southside Christian is the favorite to take the 1A boys cross country state championship with Dixie and Governor's School expected to be on their heels.

The race will begin at noon on Friday at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

Southside Christian is led by individual medalist favorite and freshman Grayson Gibbons, as well as sophomores Stephen Fox and Trenton Frey, seventh grader Reeves Israel, junior Joshua Cordeiro and freshman EJ Brown.

Individual predictions

Dixie is led by seniors Spencer Wieters, Daniel Boyd and John Sheppard. It will also be worth keeping an eye on Calhoun Falls junior Quade Lindler and Bamberg-Ehrhardt junior Evan McLeod.

A girls

Dixie and Southside Christian will be neck-and-neck to determine the 1A girls cross country state championship.

The race will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at Clemson Sandhills Research Educational Center in Columbia.

Team predictions

Dixie has a strong lineup of young runners led by individual medalist favorite and 7th grader Ashton Stoll. Freshmen Clara Angel

and AnsleyPrescott, along with eighth graders Rachel Prescott and Nichole Hershberger will hope to help lead the team.

Individual predictions

Southside Christian is led by sophomore Camila Baraona, seventh grader Grace Anderson, junior Isabella Maria and eighth grader Ansley Gaulden.

Other individuals that will factor into the top of the field include senior Elise Lanahan from the Governor's School and freshman Bailey McGraw from High Point Academy.