The cross-country teams will compete in what they hope is the penultimate meet of the season on Oct. 28. The region meet will take place at Marist High School at 5:30. The top four teams at this meet advance to the state meet at Carrollton High School on Nov. 9.

Last year, the girls team came in second out of five teams and advanced to state, but of seven teams competing, the boys finished fifth and were the first team not to qualify. In this meet, the top seven runners of each gender will run in their respective division’s varsity race. The junior varsity race is open to other runners.

Teams from the region include Marist, Redan, Stone Mountain and Chamblee high schools. Grady began competing in this region last year and has found it less competitive than its old region. Grady’s runners competed at Marist’s course at an invitational meet earlier this year.

At the APS championship meet on Oct. 16, both Grady teams took second place to North Atlanta High School, one of Grady’s toughest competitors. Since North Atlanta will not compete at the upcoming region meet, runners expect a strong showing.