Having battled shin splints all season, Collins High School junior Gabriella Karas had been considered doubtful to run in the state cross country championships all season.
But as of Friday night, Collins coach Sean Roberts said there’s still a chance.
“We’re going to wait and see how she feels (Saturday),” Roberts said. “I don’t think it’s likely she’ll run … and to be honest I’d sleep a lot better if I knew what was going to happen. But we’re still going back and forth on a decision.”
Karas’ status is a big topic of conversation entering the state championships at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The Class A meet is set for 9:30 a.m., with the 2-A meet to follow at 11:30 a.m. and the 3-A meet capping the day at 1:30 p.m.
Karas has won four straight Class 2-A titles and holds the top three state-meet times at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Paddock Course, including a record time of 17 minutes, 39.04 seconds in 2013.
Karas was limited during much of the season but did compete in last week’s Class 2-A, Region Three meet at Seneca Park, finishing third with a time of 19:39.06.
Roberts said Karas ran the race at “workout speed” and would do so again Saturday if she compete in the state meet.
“She’d probably still finish in the top five or top 10 while going workout speed,” Roberts said. “That would be pretty incredible. That’s a lot of talent right there. … But the concern is her re-injuring herself.”
Here’s a brief look at all three classes:
CLASS 3-A
St. Xavier (2011-13) and South Oldham (2014) have combined to win the past four boys team titles and figure to lead the way again Saturday.
Eastern coach Mike Horan gives the Tigers the edge.
“Coming into the season this wasn’t expected to be one of St. Xavier’s great teams, but when you look at their regional times they’re starting to look very, very good,” Horan said.
Eastern, Meade County and Daviess County also are expected to be near the top of the team standings.
Madison Central senior Brennan Fields is the defending individual champion and joins St. Xavier’s Matthew Thomas and Spencer Hayden, South Oldham’s Cole Dowdy and Tanner Dowdy and Manual’s Yared Nuguse as top contenders.
On the girls side, Assumption (six) and Sacred Heart (two) have teamed to win the past eight team titles. Male, Manual and Daviess County also should be in the mix.
Sacred Heart’s Kathleen Simms is the defending individual champion and should get a push from fellow sophomores Alena Sapienza-Wright from Manual and Kaitlyn Lacy from Male.
CLASS 2-A
The North Oldham boys team will try to capture its sixth straight title behind the leadership of senior Trenton Fryman and junior Alex McClarty.
Defending champion Ethan Shuley of Highlands and David Jacobs of Shelby County also should be in the mix for the individual title.
On the girls side, Highlands will try to capture its fourth straight team title with senior Lauren Ossege leading the way. North Oldham, Collins, Shelby County and Lexington Catholic are other top contenders.
With Karas questionable, top contenders for the individual title include Lexington Catholic’s Michaela Reinhart, North Oldham’s Erin Edmundson and Boyle County’s Ally Anderson.
CLASS A
Bishop Brossart has won two straight boys titles, but Holy Cross, St. Henry and Lexington Christian are expected to be the top contenders Saturday.
Top individuals include Lexington Christian’s Aaron Wier and Adam Huff, St. Henry’s Josh Hannon and Holy Cross’ Keeton Thornsberry.
St. Henry should be in contention for its fifth straight girls title behind seniors Renee Svec and Holly Blades.
Nicholas County’s Shelby Watkins and Williamsburg’s Selena Mattingly are other top contenders.
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.