DyeStat Nevada State Meet Preview

4A Boys

When you look at the Athletic.net “Hypothetical Meet” based on 5k times you’ll see Arbor View with a 23 point advantage over Green Valley for 1^st and 2^nd.  Not so fast my friend!!  The Southern Regionals were held on an almost perfect running day at the fast Craig Ranch Park course.  The Northern Regionals was held in the rain and mud at Shadow Mountain Park. Before the Regionals, Spanish Springs was #1 the entire year, with McQueen #2 and Galena #3.  Many of their times were run out of state at the Stanford Invitational.  You can’t compare courses!  So with that being said, the Boys 4A State Championships is up for grabs.   We see 3 teams with a shot at the title…Arbor View, Green Valley, and Spanish Springs. Home court advantage goes to the South.

Individually, McQueen’s Henry Weisberg is the defending champion.  He has the top time for Nevada boys running 14:59 at Stanford. Three Spanish Springs’ boys have run under 16:00, Daniel Horner, Andrew Ribeiro and Matthew Hakin.  The only Southerners under 16:00 are Daniel Ziems (Palo Verde-15:38) and Ian Jackson (Arbor View-15:47).  Don’t count out Green Valley’s Omar Rubio, who has beaten Jackson twice this season head to head.

4A Girls

Another race too close to call.  Number 1 most of the season has been Reno with Centennial a close #2.  It’s between these 2 team for the Championship.  Both teams travelled out of state for fast times.  Based on Regional times, Centennial is a 5 point favorite.  But, like the boys, different courses, different conditions.  The 3 Northern teams (Reno, Damonte Ranch and McQueen) look as though they will come in before the South’s 2^nd . Will the South’s #2 be Palo Verde, Green Valley, Foothill…?  Any of these 3 teams are capable of running well.  Will the highly competitive Sunrise Regional take its toll on Green Valley and Foothill?  We’re going to go with Palo Verde as the South’s #2.

Individually, Centennial’s Alexis Gourrier is primed and ready for her first State Championship. But we thought that last year.  Centennial’s Karina Haymore is the Defending Champion. Reed’s senior, Samantha King-Shaw, will want to spoil the Centennial party.  She’s been the North’s #1 all season and is coming off a Regional Championship last Friday. Wooster’s Gillian Ipsen is in the mix as is Reno senior Kyra Hunsberger, who was 2^nd as a freshman. Northern girls have 7 of the 8 fastest times in the state.

3A Boys

Four Southern teams and 3 Northern teams will compete for the 3A Championships.  Spring Creek looks very solid as #1. They are the only team with 2 under 17:00 There 1-5 spread isn’t awesome (2:04), but it should be good enough to win. Two Southern teams look good for 2 and 3 with SECTA and Pahrump Valley. Look for the next 3 teams to come out of the North.

Individually, William Fallini-Haas is the Northern Regional Champion with a season’s best of 15:53.  Dayton’s Jonathan Ply has run 15:55 and will be a factor. Pahrump Valley’s Bryce Odegard will be the Southern favorite having run a PR of 16:10 at the Southern Regionals.

3A Girls

This could be a Northern 1-2-3 team finish with Regional Champion Spring Creek, Truckee and South Tahoe.  The Southern team with the best shot of breaking into the top 3 is SECTA. SECTA won the Southern Regional by a bunch but the competition steps up a couple notches this Saturday.

Individually, Northern girls have the top 9 times in the state, led by Truckee’s Brenna Wapstra Scott (18:52). The medalist could be all from the North! Boulder City’s Sierra Selinger PR-ed at Region running 19:51, but will have to improve for a medal.

2A Boys

North Tahoe has won a record 19 State Championship and has raised the championship trophy the last 4 years.  This year may be #20 and 5 straight. Challenges will come from Sierra Lutheran, 2^nd in the Northern Region and West Wendover, 1^st in the Southern Region.

Individually, White Pine’s Samuel Stewart is the defending champion but Sierra Lutheran’s Jared Marchegger has a better season time of 16:08 compared to Stewart’s 16:45. Sierra Lutheran’s Richard McNeely will be a factor as well having run 16:20 this season.

2A Girls

North Tahoe scored a near perfect 17 points to win the Northern Region.  Sierra Lutheran looks like the better 2^nd place team compared to Southern Region Champion, The Meadows.

Individually, North Tahoe’s Quinn Lehmhuhl is a 2 time State Champ having won in 2013 and 2014.  The 2015 Champion, North Tahoe’s Elaina Marchegger only finished 13^th at Region but expect a better performance this Saturday.  The South’s best chance for a top place is Southern Regional Champion, Ellen Hirsberg from The Meadows. Others expected to wear a medal are Incline’s Ursula Volz and Kate Rye.

Finally, we’ll say this… “Past performance does not guarantee future success”.  We’ll find out who’s ready to run Saturday November 5 at Craig Ranch Park in North Las Vegas.  Races begin at 10:00am