Fit for expectations.
Training in the altitude and arid landscape of Arizona strengthened the bond between 51Âþ»â€™s cross country runners this summer – not to mention their legs and lung capacity.
But back to those expectations.
Since the Greenies return virtually everyone from a year ago, they find themselves in new territory with preseason recognition. DyeStat , while HighSchoolOT
The season begins two weeks from today – as it traditionally does for 51Âþ» – at the September 5 Eye Opener Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C.
A quick recap of how the Greenies got here.
Last year’s state championship and undefeated season leading up to a seventh-place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals was the best output by any North Carolina team since cross country first became a sanctioned high school sport in the 1950s (it was introduced much later at 51Âþ» in 1963).
Brooks Barbee ’27 is one of only two boys in school history to break 15 minutes for 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and was the NCISAA 4-A runner-up as a junior. New Balance announced a NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with Brooks on August 4.
Dallas Reeves '27, Reynolds Young '27, and Jack Dennehy '27 were all-state runners in 2025 as well, and part of the All-Carolinas Athletic Association team along with Brooks, Carl Baird '27, Timmy McDowell '27, and Brody Webb '27.
Five runners count towards a team’s score in high school cross country. The Greenies had all five break 16 minutes in their biggest wins a year ago, including large invitationals in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
This year’s N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4-A state meet – which the Greenies have won three times since 2021 – is scheduled for October 30 at McAlpine Greenway Park, the same course as 2025.