A long season of hard work and sacrifice will conclude with a chance to win titles at the 2022 South Carolina High School League cross country state championships Thursday and Saturday.
The two-day meet begins on Thursday and concludes Saturday (schedule change) at the Clemson Sandhill Research Center Cross Country Course in Columbia.
The Class 5A girls will kick off the meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, followed by the 5A boys at 9:30. Class 2A girls will get underway at 10 a.m. with the 2A boys right behind at 10:30. The first day's races will wrap up with the 1A girls at 11 a.m. and the 1A boys at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday's races will begin with the 3A girls at 9 a.m., followed by the 3A boys at 9:30. Class 4A girls will start at 11 a.m., with the 4A boys getting underway at 11:30.
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Class AAAAA
The Class 5A girls will be a battle of several schools for the team title.
Lexington appears to be the favorite but will get strong challenges from J.L. Mann, Chapin, Fort Mill, Mauldin and Nation Ford.
J.L. Mann's senior tandem of Kennedy Roush and Sofie Kurzawa will look to push the Patriots to the top. Roush finished with a time of 18:35.31, while Kurzawa posted a 18:45.62 at last week's state qualifier.
Fort Mill freshman Alivia Cleveland will be looking to help earn a team title, as well as an individual one after finishing at 18:23.46 at the qualifier.
Lexington had all five runners in the top 10 of the varsity girls odd race in the state qualifier. The Wildcats were led by eighth grader Kendra Miles with a time of 19:15.84.
How many runners ran in the girls 2A 2010 South Carolina State Cross Country Championship?
How many runners ran in the girls 2A 2010 South Carolina State Cross Country Championship?
Class 5A girls team predictions: 1. Lexington; 2. J.L. Mann; 3. Chapin
The Class 5A boys should be a three-team race with three others looking to throw a wrench in the results.
Nation Ford is coming off a dominating performance at the state qualifier in which it placed four runners in the top six. The Falcons were led by medalist Mason Haynes, a sophomore, who finished at 15:40.21. Senior Alan Dayrit (16:02.97) finished second, followed by junior Chase Johnson (16:27.92) in fifth and sophomore Townsend Smith (16:29.65) in sixth.
Fort Mill is also a strong contender after placing four runners in the top nine. Senior Evan Ickert finished fourth to lead the way at 16:12.71.
Wando and J.L. Mann will also be in the mix.
Wando junior Jake Liebert (15:50.10) placed first, while senior Brendan Gomez (16:04.90) was second in the state qualifier. J.L. Mann had two runners in the top six, led by senior Sean McAdams (16:14.08) in fifth place.
Spartanburg and Chapin will also be heavy contenders after strong showings at the state qualifier.
Class 5A boys team predictions: 1. Nation Ford; 2. Fort Mill; 3. Wando
Class AAAA
In Class 4A, the girls race appears to be a four-team battle. Greenville comes in with confidence after placing three runners in the top nine of the state qualifier, including medalist Caroline Lyerly, a senior, with a time of 18:42.27.
James Island will also be a strong favorite after placing three runners in the top 10. Sophomore Avery Belk placed second with a time of 19:33.30.
Bluffton and Northwestern will contend for the top spot, as well. Northwestern senior Aamori Gaines finished fifth, while Bluffton freshman Elise Hunt placed eighth at the qualifier.
Class 4A girls team predictions: 1. Greenville; 2. James Island; 3. Bluffton
The Class 4A boys should be a tight race between Greenville, Hilton Head Island and Wade Hampton.
Greenville is led by Junior Knox Young (15:56), who placed first in his race at the qualifier. Hilton Head Island senior Caden Thune placed ninth to lead his team. Wade Hampton senior duo of Jake Wadas (16:19.99) and Roman Brannon (16:51.72) placed first and second, respectively, in their race.
Eastside will also be in the hunt. The Eagles were led by senior Jack Barrett and sophomore Jackson Wyatt, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively, at the state qualifier.
Class 4A boys team predictions: 1. Hilton Head Island; 2. Greenville; 3. Wade Hampton
How many boys ran in the Boys 2A 2010 South Carolina State Cross Country Championship?
Class AAA
The Class 3A girls race could end up a barnburner between Daniel, Waccamaw and Philip Simmons.
The Lions placed three runners in the top 10 at the qualifier, led by sophomore Ashby Williams who placed first at 19:50.28.
Waccamaw had four runners in the top 10, led by senior duo Gia Leone (19:30.40) and Anna Margaret Loftus (19:33.39), who placed first and second, respectively.
Philip Simmons placed four in the top 10, led by junior Josie May who finished third.
Class 3A girls team predictions: 1. Daniel; 2. Waccamaw; 3. Phillip Simmons
Class 3A boys will be up for grabs between several teams.
Phillip Simmons and Powdersville look to have a slight edge in the race. Philip Simmons placed four runners in the top 10 at the qualifier, led by a second-place finish by sophomore Pierce Walker. Powdersville placed three in the top 10, led by senior Sam Proffitt with a fourth-place finish.
Dreher, Walhalla and Daniel will also be in the hunt. Walhalla junior Elijah Poore finished first with a time of 15:41.63
Class 3A boys team predictions: 1. Philip Simmons; 2. Powdersville; 3. Walhalla
Class AA
The Class 2A girls race will be a fight to the finish. Bishop England, Greer Middle College and Landrum should separate themselves from the pack.
Bishop England placed a staggering six runners in the top 10 of the state qualifier, led by freshman Nora Brahim with a second-place finish. Landrum had four runners in the top 10, led by junior Julia Williamson (fifth). Greer Middle College had three runners in the top 10, including a third-place finish by junior Sofia DiPasqua.
Academic Magnet and Oceanside Collegiate Academy will also be in the mix. Oceanside juniors Siobhan Joyce and Sinead Joyce placed first and second, respectively, with times of 19:13.76 and 19:50.29.
Class 2A girls team predictions: 1. Bishop England; 2. Landrum; 3. Greer Middle College
It will be a huge battle in the Class 2A boys between three teams. Greer Middle College, Academic Magnet and Bishop England each could easily hoist the trophy Friday afternoon.
Academic Magnet placed four in the top 10, led by sophomore Quinn Swanton with a top finish time of 17:19.12. Greer Middle College placed four in the top 10 at the state qualifier, led by sophomore Caleb Aikenhead in second place. Bishop England junior Justin Hafner placed third.
Class 2A boys team predictions: 1. Greer Middle College; 2. Academic Magnet; 3. Bishop England
Class A
The Class 1A girls race will be a battle of four teams. Christ Church, Southside Christian, Dixie and St. Joseph's will likely be at the top of the heap.
Christ Church sophomore was one of six runners in the top 10 of the state qualifier with a first-place time of 21:05.75. Dixie had four in the top 10, led by eighth-grader Ashten Stoll, who also finished first in her race.
St. Joseph's place five in the top 10, led by junior Nina Brown in third place. Southside Christian had three in the top 10 with eighth-grader Sophie Wareing in fifth place.
Class 1A girls team predictions: 1. Christ Church; 2. Dixie; 3. St. Joseph's
Class 1A boys will also be a tight race. St. Joseph's, Christ Church, Southside Christian and Brashier will be the favorites.
Southside Christian placed six in the top 10 of the state qualifier with sophomore Grayson Gibbons finishing first with a time of 16:34.40.
St. Joseph's placed four runners in the top 10 of the qualifier, led by freshman Chappell Martin in fourth place. Brashier had three in the top 10, led by sophomore Harrison Knight in third place. Christ Church placed two in the top 10 with junior Jack Hinds in second place.
Class 1A boys team predictions: 1. Southside Christian; 2. St. Joseph's; 3. Brashier