By S. Thomas Coleman

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

They’ll run for state titles in Carrollton on Saturday, a field of cross country runners and teams that easily can be divided into favorites, dark horses and contenders. Here’s a class-by-class breakdown of the state championship meet:

Class AAAAA

Girls

> The skinny: To use the vernacular of today’s youth, Collins Hill is a beast. Many national polls have the Eagles ranked among the top three teams in the country as they go for an unprecedented sixth consecutive state title in Georgia’s largest classification.

Eagles head coach Andrew Hudson doesn’t mince words while talking about his team and school, among the largest in the state.

“A lot of people say, ‘Well, they have so many students over there, they should be good,’ ” Hudson said. “That bothers me. It bothers me because it takes away from how hard these kids and coaches work to be the best, and that’s not fair.”

Having four of the state’s best runners on one team —- seniors Amanda Winslow and Allyson McGinty, junior Nicky Akande and sophomore Vicky Winslow —- just doesn’t seem fair either. Any of the four is capable of winning an individual title.

North Gwinnett, paced by senior Nicole Dimercurio, and last season’s Class AAAA champion, Chapel Hill, led by senior Ashley Stovall, should provide Collins Hill with a challenge.

> Other teams to watch: Parkview, Brookwood and Alpharetta.

> Other individuals to watch: Sydney Marshall, Chattahoochee; Allie Schaich, South Forsyth; Laura Serres, North Gwinnett.

> 2007 champ: Collins Hill

Boys

> The skinny: Gwinnett County has dominated the division this decade, and another champion from there seems likely again. Brookwood, defending champion Collins Hill and Peachtree Ridge should decide who gets the top spot.

Last year’s Class AAAA champ, Chapel Hill from Douglas County, will try to break up the Gwinnett block party. Along with having logistical familiarity on its side —- Chapel Hill is located 30 minutes from the state championship course in Carrollton —- the Panthers have another advantage … the nation’s top runner, senior Taylor Lord.

But Lord will get tested by a talented field of runners, including his teammate, sophomore Wade Voyles. Other individual title contenders include Dacula junior Mike McClay, seniors Niall Longobardi of Peachtree Ridge and Brian Detweiler of Parkview, and junior Kirubel Erassa of Grayson.

> Other teams to watch: Marietta, Parkview and Harrison.

> Other individuals to watch: Taylor Snyder, Greenbrier; Robert Fensterer, Peachtree Ridge; Mark Hirons, Marietta.

> 2007 champ: Collins Hill

Class AAAA

Girls

> The skinny: Marist won....... READ MORE