Small School Round-Up Week 7
A
Boys
Heading into the weekend I would've ranked the Southwest Covenant boys as the unanimous favorites to win but their performance at McCloud makes me a bit hesitant. Now I don't think they slip down the rankings but the gap between them and Sweetwater and Mooreland has shrunk in mind. Also Laverne re-enters the title hunt. I'd place them on the same tier as Mooreland after their victory over Sweetwater this past week. As for individuals I like Bly Frieouf (Medford) he is undefeated other than at Cowboy Jamboree where he took some sub 10 minute 3200m men to the line. I believe he is the clear favorite with Canaan Motley (Hollis) following a bit behind.
Girls
I normally would refrain from saying this one month away from the state meet but I am 100% confident that Southwest Covenant will be your girl's champions. I also think they could be a strong competitor in 2A and 3A. I hate to call ay race a forgone conclusion but they have looked unbeatable so far and they have far better depth than any other team in the division.
2A
Boys
The only major player to race this past weekend was the boys of Regent Preparatory who despite having a pretty tough day on the course still finished 12th in a loaded Cowboy Jamboree. They did manage to beat 3a boys favorites Casady as well as a strong Moore squad. At this point I believe it is their race to lose. Although Hooker has a reputation of coming up big at state.
Girls
Similar situation as the boys as the only notable happenings came from Regent Preparatory. Like the men they did not have their strongest day likely due to the rolling hills but still managed a respectable showing. Lucy Odea a strong contender did not have her best day fading in the ladder stages. I don't think you should sell your stock in Odea she will be there when it counts in November.
3A
Boys
First Levi Haynes made a statement to the rest of the class finishing 21st overall at the Cowboy Jamboree beating many sub 16 minute athletes. Next Casady, the defending champs showed they are the favorites yet again with both Sam Rhoades and Billy Mathis moving up over the final kilometer to run 17:00 on a very difficult course. Also shout out to Community Christian for beating Chisholm a team I thought could be state runner-ups.
Girls
Bethel was my #1 team heading into the weekend but lost to a rising Cascia Hall team. However take this with a grain of salt as Chile Pepper had thousands of athletes many of course not from Oklahoma affecting the score. One individual who stuck out was Kylie Nunneley (Bethel) who is now the top 3a girl over 5K this season. Yes I understand they race 3200m at state but when you're fit, you're fit. The individual race in this class is still WIDE OPEN. I truly don't know who to pick that being said this next month may be crucial. Its easy for an athlete to over due it in this final month cooking themselves up before the state meet. Whoever trains the smartest and has their day come state will walk away champion. I just don't know who.
4A
Boys
First things first Zachary Williams (Cache) has regained the state lead with a 15:17 performance at Chile Pepper unfortunately he has dropped in our all classes individual rankings. As for his prospects of individual 4A honors they are as good as they've ever been. One of his strongest oppositions at least time wise Ty Brooks (Lincoln Christian) clawed back after a less than stellar MSSU Southern Stampede race to run 16:05 but that is still 48 seconds behind Williams. Now a dark horse contender is still Dathan Custar who is rounding into shape nicely with his performance at OSU Cowboy Jamboree where he ran 16:30 (I know this doesn't sound fast) but you must understand how difficult the course up in Stillwater is. First it is extremely hilly with guys like Dominic Matthias (Moore) running almost a full minute off their PBs. Second the 5k course is roughly 100m long so that adds about 20 seconds in itself. I would say a time run at Jamboree is worth 45(ish) seconds over what you're capable of on a standard difficulty course in other part of the state.
Girls
Biggest headline in this division is Baylee Woodrich (Lincoln Christian) who with each passing week makes a stronger case that she is the captain now *read that like the Somali pirate from Captain Philips*. Another athlete that deserves a mention in this division is Ava Thompson (Byng) who broke their school record enroute to a 18:32 PB and 8th fastest Okie in the meet. Thompson has been an athlete on the outside looking in for awhile. I think this performance shows she's capable of being in the chase pack looking to pick off some of the big names in the division. I carry my same opinions about the team race.