GIRL'S FOOT LOCKER SOUTH PREVIEW

For those who were lucky enough to attend the Foot Locker South discussion panel you were lucky to hear Karis Jochen’s message of “the South is on the rise!” After sorting through hundreds of results and evaluating the performances of runners from the South region, the team at DistancePreps.com can’t help but agree.  The South will be missing former qualifiers, Grace Tinkey and Olivia Ortiz, but will be adding a slew of new runners. Below is a glimpse of how we think things could turn out tomorrow.

1) Sophie Chase (12^th) Lake Braddock – Virgina – Sophie has been at the top of our list all season and it is no different this time. Sophie had very convincing win over Foot Locker hopeful Caroline Alcorta recently at the Virginia State meet, Chase running 17:24 and Alcorta 17:45. Sophie is looking for her 3^rd trip to San Diego and could very well run sub 17 for the first time in her storied high school career.

2) Alana Hadley (10^th) Charlotte – North Carolina – Alana Hadley promises to be a major challenge tomorrow to Sophie after running 17:16 earlier this season on the McAlpine course. Most of Alana’s competition this season has been that of collegiate runners giving her great experience as she hopes to make her second trip to sunny California. Fast forward to November 2014 and Alana could very well be one of the elite Foot Locker few who qualified all 4 years in high school.

3) Karis Jochen (12^th)  College Station – Texas – Karis comes into the South regional meet after running sub 17 twice this season and winning the Texas State Championship in 17:18.  Karis has the credentials of an All-American and the experience of  a former qualifier, if anyone in the top five has a shot at Chase or Hadley expect Jochen to be that one.

4) Maggie Drazba (12^th) St. Mary’s – West Virginia – After winning the Great American XC Festival in 17:27 then the West Virginia State meet in a time of 17:17 Maggie looks ready to make her first trip to San Diego. With PR’s of 4:53 , 10:27, and 17:17 it is hard to see her not make the top 10.

5) Carmen Carlos (12^th) McGill – Toolen – Alabama - Carmen recently won the Alabama state meet in a time of 17:20 and will also be looking to make her first trip to the big dance. Carmen has the credentials to run with anyone in the field after being crowned the New Balance Indoor National 2 Mile Champion, running 10:25 last March.

Others to Watch:

Caroline Alcorta - Virginia

Hannah Christen – Virginia

Rachel Givens – Florida

Bridget Blake – Florida

Wesley Frazier – North Carolina

Julie Wollrath - Florida

By Darrin DeTorres