Class A
1.) Boys Region 4
Almost without question, this region has been, and most likely will be, the toughest region in Class A. With both St. Henry’s and Bishop Brossart, the two biggest team names in Boys Class A distance running, competing out of this region and three other teams that have made the podium in the last 5 years of competing at state: Villa Madonna, Newport Central Catholic, and Walton Verona. Just last year, 5 out of the top 6 teams at State came out of this region, with only Green County cracking their ranks.
2.) Girls Region 3 vs. Girls Region 4
This one was too close to call as far as separating them, so I’ll go ahead and present this one as a comparison. Both regions have been at the top of the pecking order of girls Class A distance for some time, now. St. Henry’s girls team has become the dominating distance crew in Class A winning 7 of the last 8 state championships. Behind St. Henry and also chasing a spot at state will be Lloyd Memorial, Beechwood, Bishop Brossart, Ludlow, Holy Cross of Covington, Villa Madonna, and Walton Verona. The real strength in this region comes with it’s overall depth, and having potentially 6 spots to fill at state. Region 3, on the other hand, has a lot of strength at the top and a couple great individuals who will be racing for top honors at State in Karli Gawarecki and Caroline Gosser. The teams to watch out of this region (all of which will be looking for a podium spot at state, as well) are Green County, Presentation Academy, and Holy Cross of Louisville. Just last season, Region 3 got the better of Region 4 with Presentation getting 2nd, Holy Cross of Louisville in 3rd, and Green County in 5th compared to St. Henry’s 1st place finish and then Brossart in 6th and Beechwood in 7th. It will be a fun race-within-the-race to watch this upcoming season.