2024 Wingfoot XC Classic presented by Publix: Varsity Race Preview

The 10th annual Wingfoot XC Classic presented by Publix kicks off the day with four back-to-back Varsity races — Boys and Girls Varsity A followed by Boys and Girls Varsity B. With 40 teams in each race, the anticipation builds as athletes prepare to take on the challenging, rolling hills of Cartersville's Sam Smith Park. Incredible performances, tightly packed fields and fierce competition promise a thrilling morning. Top teams and past champions are set to return, ready to test their limits on this storied course. Whether it's redemption or victory, the Varsity races are poised to set the tone for a full day of unforgettable cross country action.

Varsity A Boys

Leading the charge in the Boys Varsity A race is Walton High School, a consistent top-20 team in Georgia. Walton is coming off an impressive 3rd-place finish at the Cobb County Championships earlier this week, with Samuel Lu and Vivek Goud expected to lead the team. Their tight 36-second pack could prove decisive as they chase the team title. Lu's season-best of 16:35 places him well inside the top 20 individually, but it's Walton's depth that makes them formidable contenders.

Northgate High School, led by sophomore standout Carson Dobur, will likely be Walton's biggest rival for the team title. Dobur recently clocked a blazing 16:05 at the Bob Blastow Invitational, where Northgate placed 9th as a team, averaging 16:58. While Dobur gives Northgate a true low-stick, the gap between their number 2 and 5 runners may leave them vulnerable against Walton's compact pack.

Chattahoochee High School will also be in the mix, coming off a win at the Wire2Wire XC Invitational with a team average of 17:00. Junior Jeremiah McGaw (16:35 season best) leads a solid top four, but they'll need their number 5 runner to step up if they want to contend with Walton and Northgate.

Individually, Eric Robinson and Lucas Johnson of Westminster Schools of Augusta are expected to duel for top honors. The teammates have run nearly identical times all season, with Robinson leading by a hair after clocking 15:42 at the Mike Moore Classic earlier this month. However, their team's depth won't be enough to challenge for the team title, with their 3rd runner over two minutes behind their leaders.

Keep an eye on Cameron Collier of Midtown High School, who finished 12th at the Bob Blastow Invitational with a 15:58. Midtown's success will depend on how much their 3-5 runners can close the gap to Collier, who is likely to finish inside the top 10 individually.

Varsity A Girls

The Girls Varsity A race promises to be just as competitive, with Chattahoochee High School and Northview High School leading the charge. Northview, once a Georgia powerhouse, is making a strong resurgence behind recent University of Georgia-commit Lauren Skeens and Regina Michel Camacho. Skeens ran an 18:45 personal best at the Fleet Feet Warpath Invitational, and Camacho wasn't far behind with an 18:58 personal best at the Carrollton Invite Presented by OrthoWest. With one of the best 1-2 punches in the race, Northview will be difficult to beat, especially if their 3-5 runners can close the gap.

Chattahoochee High School, has its own star in Helen Miller, who recently won the Wire2Wire XC Invitational in dominant fashion. Miller's 19:22 season-best puts her in podium contention individually, but it's the team's tight pack—only four seconds separating their 2nd through 5th runners—that makes them a serious threat to Northview for the team title.

Local powerhouse Decatur High School is also in the hunt. They finished 5th at the Carrollton Invite without their top runner, Sophie D'Elena, who is seeded at 19:23. If D'Elena is back in form, Decatur's strong 3-5 group could lift them into the top three, though they'll need career performances to contend for the title.

Individually, Julia Anastasio of Richmond Hill High School enters as a past champion, having won this race in 2023 with a time of 18:46. Though she has yet to show that same fitness in 2024, it would be unwise to count her out. Her stiffest competition will come from Skeens and Camacho, both of whom have run under 19 minutes this season.

Varsity B Boys

The Varsity B Boys race will see Lumpkin County High School and Lanier High School battling for supremacy. Lumpkin County is led by younger of the two Windham brothers, Witt Windham. With a personal best of 15:28 earlier this month, Witt will be tasked with leading the charge in his brother Wyatt's absence (Wyatt Windham has moved up to compete in the Championship race). If their 3-5 runners can improve slightly, Lumpkin County is the favorite for the team title.

Lanier High School also fields a strong squad, headlined by Dylan Stone, who ran 16:14 to place 11th at the North Georgia XC Invitational. Lanier's 17:45 team average keeps them competitive, but they'll need tighter pack running to contend with Lumpkin County.

Varsity B Girls

The Varsity B Girls race will likely come down to Habersham Central High School and Hebron Christian Academy. Audrey Hotard of Habersham Central is the clear individual favorite, having run an 18:28 to win the North Georgia XC Invitational. Hotard's dominant front-running could lead her team to victory, though Habersham Central's large spread (over four minutes) could leave the door open for Hebron Christian, which boasts a tighter pack and a strong front-runner in Eloise Jones.

Landmark Christian School is also in the mix, with Shari Brown looking to challenge Hotard up front. Brown, who ran 19:01 earlier this season, finished second at Wingfoot XC Classic last year and will be eager to capture the title this time around.

Track live results of all races at the 2024 Wingfoot XC Classic presented by Publix here. Follow along on our social media channels for live coverage.

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