Previewing the Powerhouses: Varsity Teams Set to Shine at Wingfoot XC Classic 2025

With returning champions, breakout talents and team depth ready to reshape the leaderboard, the stakes are higher than ever at Sam Smith Park this Saturday at the 11th annual Wingfoot XC Classic. From early lead packs to underdog teams hoping to shake up expectations, every Varsity A and Varsity B race will carry weight. The terrain is familiar, the tension is building and once the sun rises this Saturday, history may be rewritten.

Varsity A Boys

Defending champion Johann Brink of Athens Christian School returns with confidence after his 15:46.3 win in 2024 and has shown strong fitness this fall. Meanwhile, Lucas Johnson, senior at Westminster Schools of Augusta, has dropped his PR to 14:57 at the Pink House Invitational, improving massively from last year. His teammate Eric Robinson (also Westminster), who ran 15:20 at Heathwood Hall and owns a 4:18 mile and 1:56 in the 800, is shaping up to push the front pack pressure high.

Alex Loffredio of Dunwoody High School, runner-up last year with a 15:49, opened this season with a 15:44 PR at Bob Blastow Invitational and may be fresher, having skipped last weekend's meet. Walton High School, last year's winning team, returns seniors Mason Wicks (16:01 PB) and Max Tucker (16:29 PB), supported by Finn Timmons (who won the Youth Boys 3K in 2024), William Gentner and others whose recent spreads suggest they are tighter than last fall.

Expect several finishers under 15:30, but consistency across the scoring five runners may decide who walks away with both individual and team honors.

Varsity A Girls

This year's race promises fireworks - and all eyes are on Jane Wangari, a recent transfer from Kenya representing Athens Christian School. She's already turned heads with a 19:02 seed time in the 6K, and if she converts that fitness to the 5K distance, she may not just contend - she could chase down the course record of 17:21.2 set by Claire Stegall in 2023. It would be a thrilling sight to witness a newcomer rewrite Wingfoot XC Classic history.

With last year's top finishers Regina Michel Camacho and Lauren Skeens not racing, the field is wide open for rising stars to make their mark. Top seeds Emma Haga (Brentwood, 18:12), Morgan Waddell (Marist, 18:18) and Julia Betton (Walton, 18:35) form a tight front pack to follow Wangari. All have run faster than last year's 10th place finisher and could push the winning time well under 18.

Teams like Marist, Brentwood and Walton show serious promise, holding several of the fastest-seeded girls. None of these teams placed in the top three last year, which sets the stage for a wide-open and exciting team showdown that could come down to depth and pack running.

If Wangari makes her move early and forces the top seeds to respond, we may see one of the fastest, and most memorable, Girls Varsity A races in Wingfoot history.

Varsity B Boys

With 2024 winner Wyatt Windham now at Georgia Tech, younger brother Witt Windham leads the charge for Lumpkin County High School. His 15:28 PR sets the bar high, and with Evan Good (17:08) and Solomon Alhadeff (17:21) backing him up, Lumpkin returns as the team to beat after winning this race last year.

But challengers are lining up. Buckhorn High School (AL) enters with depth behind 16:54 runner Tyler Atchley, and Paideia School returns four from last year's state squad, led by Nate DePlonty (17:15), Bob Fooshee (17:40) and rising sophomore Liam Lenhart (17:54). Their team pack is improving fast and could make a serious bid for the podium.

Don't overlook KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, the reigning GHSA 2A state runners-up. While they graduated their top two runners, junior Nasir January, who placed 24th at state last year and owns a 17:56 personal best, steps into the lead role.

Lumpkin is favored on paper, but with tight team spreads and improving youth across the board, this race could turn on second packs and late surges. Expect Windham to chase the individual win but keep your eyes on the team battle behind him.

Varsity B Girls

Defending champion Audrey Hotard will not return this year leaving victory for a new contender. It's Kenley Adams (18:50) and Emily Autry (18:52) of Lambert High School that headline the top-seeds, while Keli George of Lumpkin County (19:35) leads a young team that placed 8th at last year's 3A state meet with no seniors in the lineup.

Bremen High School's Gemma Baskin (19:44) and Sprayberry High School's Evie Waltz (19:47) bring breakout potential. Lumpkin also has depth in Joanie Phillabaum (20:47) and Blakely Bell (20:54), giving them one of the strongest top three in the race. Northview, Veterans and Walker round out the teams with mid-20-minute scorers who could tighten the standings if their back-end runners deliver.

Expect the top individuals to push under 19:30, but the real battle may be in team scoring, where programs like Lumpkin, Lambert, Bremen and Northview all have the depth to shake up podium predictions.

The top five may include some familiar names, but breakout performances from newer runners are very likely.

Track live results of the 2025 Wingfoot XC Classic here and follow along on Atlanta Track Club's social media for live coverage throughout the day.

This is the second article in a series of three event previews, to be followed by a look at the Championship races.