The South Carolina State Cross Country Championships is spread over two days starting Thursday at Clemson's Sandhills Research Educational Center. Also included: 2020 race videos by classification above each preview.
AAAAA boys
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 5A State Boys team champion prediction | 5A State Boys individual champion prediction and time | 5A State Boys team runner up prediction | 5A State Boys individual runner up prediction and time | 5A State Boys team dark horse | 5A State Boys individual dark horse | Other 5A boys observations? |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Lexington | Jake Liebert-Wando 15:18 | Fort Mill | Jake Wadas-Wade Hampton 15:27 | T.L. Hanna | Owen Harries-Lexington | |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | Fort Mill | Jake Liebert, Wando, 15:36 | Dorman | Jake Wadas, Wade Hampton, 15:41 | JL Mann | Zander Jeffcoat | Dorman # 3 - # 5 will be looking for the Fort Mill # 4 & #5 for the possible upset |
| Connor Roudabush Stratford 5 | Dorman | Jake Liebert 15:10 | TL Hanna | Jake Wadas 15:30 | Wando | Zander Jeffcoat | |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | Fort Mill | Jake Wadas Wade Hampton 15:35 | Dorman | Jake Leibert 15: 38 | TL Hanna | Elliot Dotson Hillcrest |
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 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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 5A State Girls team champion prediction | 5A State Girls individual champion prediction and time | 5A State Girls team runner up prediction | 5A State Girls individual runner up prediction and time | 5A State Girls team dark horse | 5A State Girls individual dark horse | Other 5A girls observations? |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC-20 overall | J.L. Mann | Madison Roush-J.L. Mann 18:22 | Lexington | Abigail White-Chapin 18:27 | Riverside | Kendra Miles-Lexington | This may be one of the fastest collective girls State Championships races |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | JL Mann | Madison Roush, JL Mann, 18:24 | Lexington | Kendra Miles, Lexington, 18:53 | Fort Mill | Sofie Kurzawa | |
| Connor Roudabush Stratford 5 | JL Mann | Madison Roush 18:05 | Lexington | Kendra Miles 18:15 | Fort Mill | Alivia Cleveland | |
| Jerry Kimbrell 19 | JL Mann | Madison Roush 18:23 | Lexington | Kendra Miles 18:55 | Fort Mill | Kennedy Roush | The 5A girls race should be very competitive with a very strong field. The top 6-7 teams are as strong as we've seen in many years and it should be interesting to see who has a good day and which teams can make a move up in the final results. |
| Kenneth Ross, Wando, first year girls head coach | J.L. Mann | Madison Roush 18:34 | Lexington | Alivia Cleveland 18:45 | Wando | Reagan Cooke-Mauldin | J.L. Mann looks unbeatable at the top, but it will be a good race for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place positions. |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | JL Mann | Madison Roush JL Mann 18:30 | Lexington | Kendra Miles, Lexington 18:45 | Fort Mill | Elizabeth Rodgers Riverside |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 4A State Boys team champion prediction | 4A State Boys individual champion prediction and time | 4A State Boys team runner up prediction | 4A State Boys individual runner up prediction and time | 4A State Boys team dark horse | 4A State Boys individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Greenville | Sam Rich-Catawba Ridge 14:30 | Catawba Ridge | Sam Kolowith-Dreher 15:20 | West Florence | Knox Young-Greenville |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | Greenville | Sam Rich, Catawba Ridge, 15:21 | AC Flora | Knox Young, Greenville, 15:53 | Catawba Ridge | Griffin Gillespie, Travelers Rest |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | AC Flora | Sam Rich 14:55 | Catawba Ridge | Knox Young 15:50 | Walhalla | Sam Kolowith Dreher |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 4A State Girls team champion prediction | 4A State Girls individual champion prediction and time | 4A State Girls team runner up prediction | 4A State Girls individual runner up prediction and time | 4A State Girls team dark horse | 4A State Girls individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 years overall | James Island | Hannah Vroon-James Island 17:56 | Greenville | Caroline Lyerly-Greenville 18:01 | May River | Anya Arroyo-May River 18:03 |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin, 11 years, 1st in SC | James Island | Hannah Vroon, James Island, 18:38 | Greenville | Anya Arroyo, May River, 18:51 | May River | Caroline Lyerly, Greenville |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | James Island | Hannah Vroon 18:25 James Island | Greenville | Caroline Lyerly 18:50 Greenville | May River | Anya Arroyo May River |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 3A State Boys team champion prediction | 3A State Boys individual champion prediction and time | 3A State Boys team runner up prediction | 3A State Boys individual runner up prediction and time | 3A State Boys team dark horse | 3A State Boys individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Bishop England | Ronan O'Neill-Pendleton 15:16 | Pendleton | Justin Hafner-Bishop England 15:29 | Wren | Austin Davenport-BHP |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | Seneca | Ronan O' Neil, Pendleton, 15:39 | Bishop England | Justin Hafer, Bishop England, 15:54 | Pendleton | Mason Parish, Powedersville |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | Pendleton | Ronan O'Neil Pendleton 15:30 | Seneca | Justin Haffner Bishop England 15:50 | Wren | Mason Parish Powdersville |
| Ediberto Crisanto Fairfield Central High. 4 years of coaching. | Bishop England | Ronan O'Neil Pendleton | Pendleton | Justin Haftner | Seneca | Joshua Mosley |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 3A State Girls team champion prediction | 3A State Girls individual champion prediction and time | 3A State Girls team runner up prediction | 3A State Girls individual runner up prediction and time | 3A State Girls team dark horse | 3A State Girls individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Waccamaw | Anna Margaret Loftus-Waccamaw 18:42 | Bishop England | Nora Brahim-Bishop England 18:57 | Daniel | Cameron Wicker Mid Carolina |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | Waccamaw | Anne Margaret Loftus, Waccamaw, 19:02 | Daniel | Elizabeth Reid, Clinton, 19:13 | Bishop England | Nicole Feagan, Seneca |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | Daniel | Anna Margaret Loftus Waccamaw 18:58 | Waccamaw | Elizabeth Reid Clinton 19:20 | Pendleton | Ashby Williams Daniel |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 2A State Boys team champion prediction | 2A State Boys individual champion prediction and time | 2A State Boys team runner up prediction | 2A State Boys individual runner up prediction and time | 2A State Boys team dark horse | 2A State Boys individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years 20 overall | Greer Middle College | Jake Dentler-GMC 16:00 | Christ Church | Adam Trusty-GMC 16:03 | Philip Simmons | Jack Hinds-Christ Church |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin HIgh, 11 years, 1st in SC | Greer Middle College Charter | Jake Dentler, Greer Middle College, 15:57 | Christ Church | Adam Trusty, Greer Middle College, 16:01 | Liberty | Noah Connor, Greer Middle College |
| Justin Castro (Batesburg-Leesville) - 1 | Greer Middle College Charter | Adam Trusty 15:53 | Phillip SImmons | Isaac Esuary 15:59 | Timberland making top 3 | Brayan Villaseca-Torres from B-L making a top 15 finish. |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | Greer Middle College | Isaac Esuary Liberty 15:55 | Liberty | Adam Trusty 16:05 | Timberland | Jack Hinds Christ Church |
| Mark S. Bedenbaugh-Pelion HS | Greer Middle College | Isaac Esuary-16:18 | Christ Church | Ian Mullaney-16:28 | Liberty | Cayden Chance-Timberland |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | 2A State Girls team champion prediction | 2A State Girls individual champion prediction and time | 2A State Girls team runner up prediction | 2A State Girls individual runner up prediction and time | 2A State Girls team dark horse | 2A State Girls individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Greer Middle College | Hattie Jennings-GMC 18:50 | Philip Simmons | Elizabeth Markwell-GMC 18:55 | Christ Church | Emmy Wood-Philip Simmons |
| Ryan Solomon, Mauldin High, 11 years, 1st in SC | Greer Middle College | Hattie Jennings, Greer Middle College, 18:57 | Philip Simmons | Sofia Dipasqua, Greer Middle Collge, 19:02 | Christ Church | Elizabeth Markwell, Greer Middle College |
| Patrick Canterbury, Liberty High School, 8 Years | Greer Middle College | Hattie Jennings GMC 19:00 | Phillip Simmons | Sofia DiPasqua GMC 19:10 | Christ Church | Emily Wood Phillip Simmons |
| Mark S. Bedenbaugh-Pelion (35 years) | Phillip Simmons | Hailey Meyers-19:00 | Christ Church | Josie May | Greer Middle College | Kalie Ashworth-Fountain Inn |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | A State Boys team champion prediction | A State Boys individual champion prediction and time | A State Boys team runner up prediction | A State Boys individual runner up prediction and time | A State Boys team dark horse | A State Boys individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Southside Christian | Grayson Gibbons-Southside Christian 15:45 | Dixie | Spencer Wieters-Dixie 17:15 | Charleston Math and Science | Quade Linder-Calhoun Falls |
| Patrick Canterbury Liberty 8 Years | Southside Christian | Grayson Gibbons SSC 16:15 | Dixie | Spencer Wieters Dixie 17:05 | Governors School | Daniel Boyd Dixie |
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.
| Name and school of predictor - include years coaching | A State Girls team champion prediction | A State Girls individual champion prediction and time | A State Girls team runner up prediction | A State Girls individual runner up prediction and time | A State Girls team dark horse | A State Girls individual dark horse |
| Greg Hall-Cane Bay 14 years HC 20 overall | Southside Christian | Ashten Stoll-Dixie 20:21 | Dixie | Camila Baraona-Southside Christian 20:26 | Green Sea Floyds | Elise Lanahan-Governor's School |
| Patrick Canterbury Liberty 8 Years | Dixie | Ashten Stoll Dixie 19:50 | Southside Christian | Camila Baraona 20:15 | Green Sea FLoyds | Elise Lanahan-Governor's School |
The South Carolina State Cross Country Championships is spread over two days starting Thursday at Clemson's Sandhills Research Educational Center. Also included: 2020 race videos by classification above each preview.