As we inch a little closer to the 2025 cross country season we move to the 7A Girls Team race. The 2024 edition of the AHSAA XC State Championships came down to wire as 1st through 3rd place came down to a measly 7 points. It was Auburn High School led by then Sophomore Sarah Tole that edged out Hoover by just 1 point! The trio of Hoover front runners in Ava Sparks (senior), Catherine Wallace (Senior), and Amelia Vann (freshman) did all they could do to beat out Auburn as they went 2-4 in the race, but it was Auburn's depth that proved to be just a bit too much for the Buccaneers. Not far off from the podium was Huntsville, which had an impressive spread at the state meet with only 39 seconds separating their top 5 runners.
On paper the 2025 season is looking to be just as exciting as the virtual meet has Huntsville beating out the returning favorites of Auburn by just 8 points. The Panthers are led by a pair of sophomores in Reese Dupuis and Haleigh Rowe who both clocked sub 19 performances in 2024. Huntsville will hope to capitalize on their depth and ability to have a tight spread if they hope to land a spot on the podium and beat out the defending champs of Auburn. Huntsville last won the team title in 2016.
When you think of Auburn High School girls XC one word should come to mind Dynasty! Auburn packs a strong 1-2 punch with the returning 3 time state champion Sarah Tole and the 2024 4th place finisher Abby Merner. Tole, Class of 2027, is undefeated at the State Championships since her 8th grade year. This impressive feat has her positioned to go down as one of the All-Time greats of Alabama, if she comes up big again in 2025 and Auburn can get some help from their 4 and 5 runners they will again be positioned well to win the State Title. Auburn has not lost the team title since 2022 when Chelsea High School was able to dethrone the perennial power. Since 2017 Auburn has only lost the state title once, that is an incredible run of 7 state titles in 8 years.
Vestavia Hills is another team to keep an eye on in the team hunt for 2025. Their returning top 5 led by Anna James Litty has an impressive spread of just 36 seconds for their best performances of 2024. If the ladies of Vestavia can keep their spread low and improve collectively as a group they could upset both Auburn and Huntsville. Vestavia finished 4th in 2024 and should move into the top 3 or better if they have a good summer of training!
Who is your favorite for the 2025 7A Girls Team Race? Vote Now! Check out the 7A Boys Team Poll here!
As we inch a little closer to the 2025 cross country season we move to the 7A Girls Team race. The 2024 edition of the AHSAA XC State Championships came down to wire as 1st through 3rd place came down to a measly 7 points. It was Auburn High School led by then Sophomore Sarah Tole that edged out Hoover by just 1 point! The trio of Hoover front runners in Ava Sparks (senior), Catherine Wallace (Senior), and Amelia Vann (freshman) did all they could do to beat out Auburn as they went 2-4 in the race, but it was Auburn's depth that proved to be just a bit too much for the Buccaneers. Not far off from the podium was Huntsville, which had an impressive spread at the state meet with only 39 seconds separating their top 5 runners.
On paper the 2025 season is looking to be just as exciting as the virtual meet has Huntsville beating out the returning favorites of Auburn by just 8 points. The Panthers are led by a pair of sophomores in Reese Dupuis and Haleigh Rowe who both clocked sub 19 performances in 2024. Huntsville will hope to capitalize on their depth and ability to have a tight spread if they hope to land a spot on the podium and beat out the defending champs of Auburn. Huntsville last won the team title in 2016.
