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HSXC: Ragsdale

Ragsdale coach Anne Popek takes high expectations for her boys and girls teams into Class 4-A and the Piedmont Triad Conference. The Tigers, moving up from Class 3-A and the Mid-Piedmont Conference, are joining a league featuring outstanding teams at Northwest Guilford and a good boys team at East Forsyth.

Glenn, High Point Central, Parkland and Southwest Guilford are the other members of the realigned conference.

RAGSDALE TIGERS

Class and conference: Class 4-A, Piedmont Triad.

Coach: Anne Popek (fourth season as head coach, sixth season overall).

Summer conditioning: Several Tigers ran with the High Point Panthers Track Club, competing in the AAU Club Nationals and USATF Junior Olympics. Ragsdale runners also worked on mileage and core conditioning.

Popek's philosophy: "It is better to endure moments of pain than a lifetime of regret." And, "You have to be in it to win it."

BOYS

Runners to watch: Joey McHugh (junior; two-time member of state-qualifying team; 2:05 in 800 meters and state-meet qualifier), Dale Wray (senior; three-time member of state-qualifying team; indoor 4 x 800 relay qualifier), Thomas Popek (freshman; competed in 2,000-meter steeplechase at USATF Junior Olympics).

Expectations: Popek expects her team to contend for the conference championship and a berth in the Class 4-A state meet.

2008 team result: Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference champions, fourth place in the Class 3-A Midwest Regional, 14th place at the state meet.

Runners they’ll miss: Justin Smith (16:54, 17th place in the state meet; 16:38 PR) and fellow state-meet teammates Chris Murray, Matt Poehler and Tyler Harran.

Alumni on college teams: Jake Grondy, sophomore, Mars Hill; Justin Smith, freshman, Catawba; Chris Murray, freshman, UNC-Asheville.
 

GIRLS

Runners to watch: Grace Popek (junior, All-Mid-Piedmont 3-A Conference distance runner of the year in track and field; All-Mid-Piedmont cross country; 2,000-meter steeplechase at USATF Junior Olympics; second place in sprint medley at AAU Club Nationals; state qualifier in 3,200 indoors and in 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relays); Brielle Burnett (junior, All-Mid-Piedmont Conference track and field; second place in sprint medley at AAU Club Nationals; state qualifier indoors and outdoors in relays); Sarah Justice (junior, All-Mid-Piedmont track and field; second place in sprint medley at AAU Club Nationals; state qualifier indoors and outdoors); Sarah Zamamiri (senior; All-Mid-Piedmont Conference cross country and track and field; state qualifier indoors).

Expectations: Popek expects the team to contend for the conference championship and to qualify for the state meet.

2008 team result: Second place in the Mid-Piedmont, sixth place in the Class 3-A Midwest Regional.

Runners they’ll miss: Mary Gigilotti (All-Mid-Piedmont in 2007 and '08), Mollie Rogers (All-Mid-Piedmont in track and field in 2009).