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XC Zone � 2018 Girls Teams National PreviewPublished by
Will it be someone other than Fayetteville-Manlius in 2018?
By Michael Newman TFX National Director
Fayetteville-Manlius is the queen of the Nike Cross Nationals having won 11 Girls team titles in the history of the meet. The Hornets’ win in last year’s meet was the fourth year in a row that they have captured the title. The last time that they did not win was in 2013. That was the year that Wayzata (MN) won. With Fayetteville-Manlius graduated four athletes from last year’s national team, it might be tough that the Hornets win for their fifth year in a row. It is hard to put FM on top for the pre-season rankings. It would be irresponsible to do that considering their losses. They could be on top at the end of the year but now. The 2018 season should be up for grabs with up to six or seven schools having the talent to win. For starters at the beginning of the year, it is Wayzata. The same Wayzata (different athletes) that won in 2013. Here is what I came up for the top 35 Girls teams for the beginning of this season. Regional Top Ten rankings will be released later this month
1 – Plymouth Wayzata MN NXN Region – Heartland Top Runners – Emma Atkinson JR, Caroline Sassan JR, Rhynn Paulsen JR, Emelia Arnone SO, Lauren McCollor SO, Julia Beckman SR, Mara McCollor SR. Notes – The season will start with Wayzata on top of this Girls list. The Trojans finished last season by finishing seventh at the Nike Cross Nationals. Before that they took home championships in winning the NXR Heartland Regional and the Minnesota AA State Title. This team is young but with plenty of experience returning five from last year’s national team. Juniors Emma Atkinson and Caroline Sassan were the top two runners a year ago and will probably lead this team again this fall. Another junior, Rhynn Paulsen, was consistently the team’s third runner in 2017 and will look to get closer to her classmates. She was 24 seconds behind Sassan in Portland. Where work will need to be done is with their fourth and fifth runners Emelia Arnone and Lauren McCollor. The two sophomores, led by Arnone, were 38 seconds behind Paulsen and will need to close that gap. In Wayzata’s regional race, their spread on the top five was 66 seconds compared to the 87 second spread at nationals. Wayzata should be a contender for the national title but keeping a consistent 1-5 spread will be something to watch. Atkinson and Sassan will get the single digit point totals in most races. The key will be keeping the scorer’s spread below 60 seconds.
2 – Temecula Great Oak CA NXN Region – California Top Runners – Tori Gaitan JR, Fatima Cortes SR, Audrey Dang JR, Arianna Griffiths JR, Breanna Lucas SR, Devin Ito JR, Elizabeth Richter SR. Notes – It was not the norm last December when a Great Oak team on either the Boys or Girls side failed to finish in the top three. The Wolfpack did not have their best race at Nationals finishing eighth after being ranked in the top five for most of the 2017 season. Six runners are back from their top seven with high expectations for the 2018 campaign. Their 2018 season started during the track campaign when 13 of their returning runners ran under 5:30 for 1600-meters with their top three of Fatima Cortes, Tori Gaitan, and Arianna Griffiths all running under five minutes. Four of their runners returning ran under 11-minutes for 3200-meters. As in the past, those numbers will be relevant when Great Oak heads to the course. The team ran a 75 second five-runner spread in the national race led by Gaitan finishing in the top 30. The week before in their state race Cortes and Gaitan finished in the top 10 with a five-runner spread at 86 seconds. Griffiths has improved over the last year and will be closer to the front. The team having a spread on five under 55 seconds at the end of the year is a good possibility. If all of that comes together as planned, Great Oak could end the season with a national title.
3 – Naperville North IL NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Alex Morris SR, Campbell Petersen SO, Claire Hill SR, Megan Driscoll SR, Audrey Mendrys SO, Maggie Gamboa SO, Madeline Cody SO, Lucy Westlake FR. Notes – The Huskies came so close to winning the national title last December finishing five points behind Fayetteville-Manlius placing second. Their road getting back to Portland will be tough especially getting through a talent heavy Illinois and Midwest Regional. Making a trip to Portland is a yearly thing. Naperville North has made this trip seven times in the program’s history. This team should be in the national title mix even though All-American Sarah Schmitt and their third runner Hannah Ricci have graduated. Alex Morris finished 12th in last year’s national race and should be the team’s top runner with Campbell Petersen close. Petersen transferred from Dunlap (IL) after a track season where she ran 10:47/4:58 as a freshman. It gives Naperville North a solid one-two punch. Claire Hill leads a deep group that could have up to eight runners challenging for the remaining five spots. The Huskies had a 75 second spread on their top five in the national race and could have a team like the 2017 squad. Morris and Peterson will lead the way in the front. Keeping the next five runners within 30 seconds of each other and within 30 seconds of the front pack could mean big things once again for this Illinois school.
4 – Portland Jesuit OR NXN Region – Northwest Top Runners – Kelsey Gripekoven SR, Alexis Kebbe JR, Makenna Schumacher JR, Hallie Devore SR, Greta Anderson SR, Elizabeth Rinck SR, Olivia Silenzi SO. Notes – The Crusaders were considered one of the top ten teams heading into last year’s Nike Cross Nationals but finished 15th. The talent is there for this school to make that short trip to Glendoveer Golf Course again. Five runners are back from last year that captured the Oregon 6A State Championship. You could flip a coin on who the top runner for this team last fall. That could be a positive thing or the other way around. It was Makenna Schumacher in the state meet that led the way winning the individual title. Teammates Alexis Kebbe and Kelsey Gripekoven finished in the top five with only 25 seconds separating the three. Gripekoven was the team’s top runner in the regional race and then at Nike Cross Nationals. The team did not run their best race at nationals with a 103 second spread on their first five runners. The state race resulted with a 100 second spread, but that was with Elizabeth Rinck as the fourth runner. This team has the talent to repeat as the Oregon State Champions and make it back to the Nike Cross Nationals. A key will be keeping their top three runners (Gripekoven/Kebbe/Schumacher) within 20 seconds of each other with their first runner in the top 30. Keeping their five-runner spread under 80 seconds could put a trophy in their hands. Their first seasonal test could be at the end of September at the Nike Twilight Invitational.
5 – Highlands Ranch Mountain Vista CO NXN Region – Southwest Top Runners – Jenna Fitzsimmons JR, Sarah O’Sullivan JR, Maddie Reed JR, Caroline Eck SR, Shantell Hafner SR, Makenna Anderson SR, Jessica Barich JR, Zoe Simmons SR. Notes – Just another great Girls team that could contend for the national championship. The Golden Eagles finished off the 2017 season winning the Colorado 5A State Title, finishing second in the NXR Heartland Regional, and then finishing sixth in Portland. Their top five in the national race are back ready for another challenge. Jenna Fitzsimmons should lead this team. The junior finished 30th overall in Portland and could be among the top 20 runners nationally this fall. Fellow juniors Sarah O’Sullivan and Maddie Reed form a strong nucleus behind Fitzsimmons. Their spread on their top five was consistent at the end of the year averaging between 90 to 95 seconds. You should see that spread go down this fall to near 80 seconds. Keeping Caroline Eck, O’Sullivan, and Reed within 45 seconds within Fitzsimmons in 2018 would be a good thing. Mountain Vista does not travel out of state for the big “regional meets”, but the competition is so strong within the state that it is not necessary. Look to see them again in Portland in December.
6 – Livermore Granada CA NXN Region – California Top Runners – Coleen McCandless SR, Kaela Bartolotto SR, Gracie Dupuis SR, Kinga Biharu SR, Isabella Romero SR, Paula Leigh JR, Shae Hill SO. Notes – This team does get the exposure that the schools in the South Section of California get. Granada is east of the San Francisco Bay near Oakland that competes in the North Coast Region. The Matadors finished third in last year’s California D2 Championships. This team will get the exposure in the state and nationally with their entire top seven back. Their top five back are all seniors. Colleen McCandless finished eighth at state and should be the team’s top runner. She did drop her 3200-meters personal best down to 10:34.34 last spring and finished ninth in the State Track finals. McCandless also ran 16:45 for 3-miles at Dana Hills last fall. Kaela Bartolotto and Grace Dupuis lead the pack but will need to stay within 25 seconds of McCandless. Their top-five spread at state was 74 seconds. It should get closer this fall. We will see how good this team is at Dana Hills towards the end of September. They do have the talent to make the trip to Portland in December.
7 – Fayetteville-Manlius NY NXN Region – New York Top Runners – Claire Walters JR, Phoebe White JR, Grace Kaercher SO, Izzy Crovella SO, Emily Cook SR, Lejla Borcilo JR, Rebecca White JR. Notes – Could this be the year that Fayetteville-Manlius does not win the Nike Cross Nationals like they have 11 times in the meet’s history? The Hornets could be rebuilding this season despite the fact they return two All-Americans from last year’s race. Three runners are back from that team. Claire Walters finished fifth overall last year in Portland and will challenge for another top five finish. Phoebe White finished 15th and should be among the top ten in December. Grace Kaercher is the only other returnee as she was the team’s sixth runner a year ago. After those three spots, the next four spots are up for grabs. Fayetteville-Manlius could be at the top at the end of the year, but you can’t place them there now because of tradition. This school does a tremendous job rebuilding and will peak like always at the end of the year. The Hornets may take their lumps early in the season. I would keep an eye on them in November and perhaps December.
8 – Saratoga Springs NY NXN Region – New York Top Runners – Kelsey Chmiel SR, Sheridan Wheeler (8th), McKinley Wheeler (8th), Ciara Knott SR, Skyler Knott (8th), Kate Van Dyck SO, Megan Morin SR. Notes – The Blue Streaks made it to Portland last fall as an at-large team finishing third at the New York Regional. They won the New York Federation Championships. Saratoga Springs returns five from last year’s team. It helps that you have Kelsey Chmiel back that will give you a low digit every race. The second-place finisher from last year’s Nike Cross Nationals will again be at the front. Among the five returnees, two of the runners will be entering eighth grade. Sheridan & McKinley Wheeler were the second and third runners in the national race. They should again contribute in 2018. Sisters Ciara and Skyler Knott should round out their top five. Saratoga Springs again should be among the top teams in New York. Forget about their five-runner split especially with Chmiel in the front. Their spread from their second through fifth runners in Portland was only 35 seconds. The key is moving that pack 30 seconds closer to Chmiel that could make this squad a top ten national team.
9 – Claremont CA NXN Region – California Top Runners – Sydney Hwang SR, Azalea Segura-Mora JR, Kalinda Reynolds JR, Angie Gushue SO, Sarah Ayala SR, Alyssa Cantrell SR, Haleigh Guerrero SR. Notes – The Wolfpack could again make the trip to Portland with five of last year’s top seven returning. Claremont finished ninth at the Nike Cross Nationals after winning the California 2A State Championship. The top four runners back in their national race were within 64 seconds of each other led by Sydney Hwang. Their spread on the top five at state was only 36 seconds. Seniors Sarah Ayala and Alyssa Cantrell should give the team solid five/six runners. Claremont has the talent to make it back for another national try as well as challenging for the California 2A title.
10 – Yorkville IL NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Emily Eberhart SR, Helena Kleronomos SO, Kailey Fox JR, Olivia Borowiak SR, Nicole Greyer SR, Hailey Simmons SO, Sara Klemm SO. Notes – Yorkville did not get out fast enough in last year’s Nike Cross Nationals race which gave them a 18th place finish. The team has not forgotten that day and could be running with a chip on their shoulder this fall. That could be a good thing for the Foxes. Six runners are back from that national team. Emily Eberhart has improved as evidenced by winning Detweiller at Dark running 17:07 on that fabled course in July. Helena Kleronomos gives Yorkville a solid second runner. It could be the runners that were not in Portland that could be difference makers. Kailey Fox, a transfer into the school, ran 11:11 for 3200-meters for the team last spring and should be in the top five. Olivia Borowiak, who was the team’s fourth runner in their state race, injured her foot the Monday after state and did not run in Portland. She will be a plus for Yorkville. In their Detweiller at Dark race, the four were separated by only 20 seconds. Nicole Greyer was injured most of last season but was the team’s seventh runner. She ran 11:17 for 3200-meters last spring and then broke her foot. Greyer is almost back at 100% and will be a plus for this team. Their appearance in Portland was the first for the program. That experience could drive them to bigger things in 2018.
11 – Highland Lone Peak UT NXN Region – Southwest Top Runners – Eliza Arrington SO, Reagan Gardner SO, Monet Winger JR, Ali Byber SR, Madi Hafen SR, McKenzie Meldrum JR, Rachel Seeley SR. Notes – This could be the surprise team in the Southwest Region this fall. The Knights finished fourth in last year’s Southwest Region after finishing third in the Utah 6A State Championships. The good thing for Lone Paeak is that all their top seven is back making them the top team in Utah in 2018. Eliza Arrington was the top runner in the regional race. Reagan Gardner was their top runner at state. The two sophomores give Lone Peak in the front of races. What this team will need to do is getting their top five closer together. Their state race resulted a 128 second spread on their top five. It dipped down to 105 seconds in the regional race. Arrington could be among the top 30 runners in the nation. A key for the Knights is getting their spread under 80 seconds before the time they get to their state race.
12 – Centerville OH NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Emma Bucher SO, Grace Kilroy JR, Kerri Walsh JR, Savannah Lowe SR, Rachel Whitehead SR, Kelli Walsh SR, Dalia Einstein JR. Notes – This was a team that should have made it Portland last fall out of a strong Midwest Region. The Elks finished fourth in the region and had to wait for an at-large bid that never came. Centerville is a strong team that could make their presence known on the national scene this fall. All their top seven runners are back. Emma Bucher emerged as the team’s top runner last fall as a freshman. She’s stronger heading into this campaign having run 4:53.40 for 1600-meters in the Ohio D1 State Meet finishing second. It is the pack behind Bucher that we should keep an eye on this fall. 12 seconds separated the top three in their state meet with an overall spread of 73 seconds on five. It was 44 seconds on five in their regional race with Bucher finishing 28th overall.
13 – Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest FL NXN Region – Southeast Top Runners – Tsion Yared JR, Mahdere Yared SO, Maya Beleznay JR, Emily Faulhaber JR, Cassie Lawlor SR, Amanda Schwartz SO, Lorrie Axelrod JR. Notes – The defending Florida 2A State Champions should be the top team in 2018 in the Southeast Regional. The Panthers finished fourth in the regional but return their entire top seven. Tsion Yared is the defending state champion and finished 12th in the regional race. She will lead this team with Mahdere Yared and Maya Beleznay close behind. Work on their top five spread is something that will needed to be worked on for this team to be among the top ten nationally. Their spread in the regional race on the top four was 44 seconds but over two minutes on the top five. It was 46 seconds at state on four, 93 seconds on five. The Panthers could be dangerous this season but will need to bring their five-runner spread under 74 seconds.
14 – Minturn Battle Mountain CO NXN Region – Southwest Top Runners – Naomi Harding SR, Lizzy Harding SR, Grace Johnson JR, Brogran Murray SR, Emma Reeder SO, Josephine Trueblood JR, Hayley Diemer JR. Notes – Battle Mountain rose among the ranks last fall culminating in a third-place finish at the Nike Cross Nationals. The Huskies won the Southwest Regional as well as the Colorado 4A State Championship in 2017. The team may need to reload with four of their top seven returning. Sisters Naomi and Lizzy Harding will lead this team. Naomi was the team’s top runner in Portland. What made the team click last year was the 26 second five-runner spread that they ran at nationals and averaged throughout the year. The team is deep and could be close to where they were at when they entered championship season. It could make a repeat trip if they can keep their top five spread below 35 seconds.
15 – Liverpool NY NXN Region – New York Top Runners – Jenna Schulz JR, Maddy Neuner SR, Sydney Carlson SO, Rosie Petrella JR, Windsor Ardner SR, Bella Brancato JR, Gabby McCarthy SO. Notes – New York could be one of the toughest cross-country states and regions in the nation this year and this team is one of the reasons why. Liverpool made it to Nike Cross Nationals placing 13th. Six runners from that race for the Warriors are back. Jenna Schulz leads this team. Schulz earned All-American honors placing 19th in Portland. She will be towards the front again. It will be the pack behind Schulz that will be a factor. The spread from two to five was 52 seconds trailing Schulz by 63 seconds. Getting that group closer together will be something to watch for.
16 – North Rockland NY NXN Region – New York Top Runners – Katelyn Touhy JR, Haleigh Morales JR, Britney Pezzementi SO, Catherine Ruffino JR, Emily Grall SO, Rachel Keller SO, Brielle Italiano JR. Notes – It does help that you have the top Girls runner in the nation leading you. Katelyn Touhy is 99.99% guaranteed to be on the starting line in December. Getting the rest of her teammates next to her could be something to question. All six of Tuohy’s teammates are back that finished fifth in the New York Regional. Haleigh Morales has showed improvement and finished 13th in the regional race. That will give this team again low points in the second position. Their three to five spread in their final meet was 105 seconds. That needs to come down for this team to advance.
17 – Edina MN NXN Region – Heartland Top Runners – Maria Rickman SR, Sadie Schreiner JR, Macy Iyer FR, Morgan Richter JR, Maddy Lawler SR, Heidi Engman JR, Berit Schweiller SR. Notes – It would not surprise me that Edina makes the return trip to Portland at the end of this year despite graduating their top two runners. The Hornets finished 11th last year after finishing second behind Wayzata in both the Heartland Regional and Minnesota AA State Meet. Maria Rickman came back from injury to become the team’s third runner at the end of last season. She should lead this team in 2018. Sadie Schreiner should lead the pack behind Rickman. Keeping their five-runner split under 50 seconds on Rickman will be one thing to watch this fall.
18 – Boise ID NXN Region – Northwest Top Runners – Eve Jensen SR, Rosina Machu SO, Maggie Liebich SR, Molly Elliott JR, Maloree Barbera SR, Sophie Steckel SR, Nicole Pantiledes JR. Notes – The Braves finished third in the Idaho 5A State Championships and did not run a full team in the NXR Northwest Regional. A state championship this season is possible as well as making it to the Nike Cross Nationals. Boise returns six from last year led by Eve Jensen who finished seventh in the regional race. Their top three runners are strong as only 31 seconds separated the group. Their five-runner split was 158 seconds in that race. That could be a problem throughout the year unless it drops.
19 – Meridian Mountain View ID NXN Region – Northwest Top Runners – Lexy Halladay JR, Camryn Pritchard SR, Kaitlyn Lowry JR, Morgan French JR, Adelynn Rosin SR, Bailey Bingham JR, Sydney Evans SR. Notes – A team that will be in the hunt for a top three finish in the Northwest Region. The Mavericks finished fifth in last years race. Mountain View finished second in the Idaho 5A State Meet. It does help that they have Lexy Halladay leading them. Halladay did not have her best race at Nike Cross Nationals placing 40th. She finished 16th as a freshman. The team had a two through five-runner spread of only 18 seconds in the regional race. It will need to get their pack to within 60 seconds of Halladay for good things to happen in November.
20 – Northville MI NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Yasmine Mansi SO, Nicole Cybul SR, Emily Gordon SO, Olivia Harp SR, Keira Courtney SO, Olivia Masse JR. Notes – It’s too bad that this school is in Michigan. The state’s high school athletic association prohibits teams from competing in post-season national meets. Northville would be a team that challenges for a top four spot. The Mustangs finished second in last year’s Michigan D1 State Meet behind Troy. They return six from that squad led by Yasmine Mansi.
21 – Farmington MN NXN Region – Heartland Top Runners – Anna Fenske SO, Lauren Peterson SR, Josie Laube SO, Maleah Scott SO, Laura McGregor SO, Kelsey Thelen SO, Anna Palodichuk SR. Notes – One of the teams in the Heartland Regional that I will keep a close eye on. Three seniors and four sophomores are part of this top seven that finished seventh in the regional and sixth at the Minnesota AA State Meet. What makes them tough is that both Anna Fenske and Lauren Peterson both qualified as individuals in the national race. Fenske earned All-American honors placing 10th. Peterson finished in 36th place. The pack was 90 seconds behind their two teammates in the regional race. Cutting that spread down could put them in contention for a Nike Cross Nationals trip.
22 – Murietta-Vista Murietta CA NXN Region – California Top Runners – Paige Haynes SR, Makayla Fick JR, Aniya Pretlow SO, Peyton Candaele SR, Gaby Hubarth SR, Lauren Van Nyhuis SO, Ariel Van Riper SR. Notes – Vista Murietta finished the season placing third in the California D1 State Championship and could better that in 2018. Five runners are back from that team led by Paige Haynes who finished 12th in that state race. The team had a 58 second spread on their top five in that final race. Keeping it near that time could move the Broncos up a state spot and possibly into an Oregon trip position.
23 – Downers Grove South IL NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Brenna Cohoon JR, Melissa Weidner SR, Erin Reidy JR, Becky Versaskas SR, Kennedy Warden JR, Rebecca Diddia SO, Olivia Duax SR. Notes – The Mustangs did not finish last season the way they wanted placing 13th at the NXR Midwest Regional. They had fifth the week before at the Illinois 3A State Meet missing a trophy by 10 points. Downers South returns all their top seven with eyes for success on the state, regional, and national level. Brenna Cohoon leads this team and could be among the top runners in the state. What will make this team successful is the tight pack that they had behind Cohoon. The spread on their two through five runners in their state race was a miniscual four seconds. Their overall five-runner spread was 47 seconds. This team could be dangerous in the post season especially if their spread on five continues to shrink off the front running of Cohoon.
24 – Blacksburg VA NXN Region – Southeast Top Runners – Kaitlyn Wolfe JR, Ailene Edwards SR, Sophia Link SR, Emily Fitch SR, Julia Lattimer SR, Audrey Link FR, Grayson Lawrence JR. Notes – The Bruins should be one of the top teams in the Southeast Region with eyes on a return trip to the Nike Cross Nationals. Blacksburg earned an at-large berth after finishing third in the regional and 17th in the national race. Kaitlyn Wolfe will again be the team’s top runner. Blacksburg is the defending Virginia 4A State champion.
25 – Lafayette Peak to Peak CO NXN Region – Southwest Top Runners – Anne Shults SR, Quinn McConnell SR, Tiana Bradfield SR, Elle Treim SR, Allison Beasley SO, Jenna Howard SR, Isabelle Ruble JR. Notes – A team to keep an eye on in the Southwest Region. The Puma were the Colorado 3A State Champions and followed that up by finishing eighth in the regional race. Quinn McConnell, Anna Shults, and Tiana Bradfield took the top three spots in their state race. Shults earned a trip to the Nike Cross Nationals finishing fourth in the regional race with McConnell placing seventh. Closing their gap on the fourth to fifth runners to the front pack will be something needed if the Pumas would like to take a step on the national level.
26 – Wheaton-Warrenville South IL NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Samantha Poglitsch SO, Laurel Moneysmith SR, Maria Rucoba JR, Kaitlyn Nenninger JR, Haley Ansiel JR, Becca Hauenstein SO, Sarah Kulkarni SR. Notes – An Illinois squad like Downers Grove South. The Tigers finished eighth in the Midwest Regional following a fourth-place finish in the Illinois 3A State Meet. Wheaton-Warrenville South will be a team to watch entering the post-season. Samantha Poglitsch should be one of the top runners in Illinois after finishing 11th in her state race. Laurel Moneysmith has improved in the past year and could run side-by side with Poglitsch. South’s pack at state was 46 seconds behind Poglitsch with only 19 seconds separating their second through fifth. With Moneysmith closer to the front, those numbers could shrink.
27 – Annandale North Hunterdon NJ NXN Region – Northeast Top Runners – Chloe Gonzalez JR, Emily Nugent SR, Ellie DiMarcello SR, Brenna Talamo SR, Alex Carlson SO, Sami Kehler JR, Angela Kearsley SR. Notes – This team will again be the top team in the Northeast Region. The Lions could also climb up the national steps in 2018. Their entire top seven is back led by Chloe Gonzalez and Emily Nugent. The team ran a 92 second five runner spread in Portland, 113 seconds in their regional race, and 107 seconds in their win at the New Jersey Meet of Champions. Keeping those times under 90 seconds consistently could get North Hunterdon among the top 20 teams nationally.
28 – Pittsburgh Oakland Catholic PA NXN Region – Northeast Top Runners – Hanna Schupansky SR, Teresa Davison JR, Kathryn Aldrich JR, Katelyn Ellery SR, Tesslyn Helms SO, Brouklin Alger SR, Isabel Young JR. Notes – A team that I just have a hunch about. The Eagles did not compete in the NXR Northeast Regional. Oakland Catholic did finish third in the Pennsylvania 3A State meet and does return five from that team. Hanna Schupansky returns as the top runner on this squad. Their five-runner spread in the state race was 58 seconds and will need to maintain those types of numbers this season. Watch for the Eagles to gain confidence as the season progresses. They could be tough in their state meet and beyond.
29 – Saint George Desert Hills UT NXN Region – Southwest Top Runners – Bailey Brinkerhoff SR, Samantha Nelson SR, Trinity Shimbeck SR, Lily Poulton SR, Lauren Leukenga JR, Amanda Marchant JR, Macie Barney SR. Notes – An up and coming team in the Southwest Region as well as Utah. The Thunder returns all their top seven from a sixth-place finish in the regional race and a third-place finish in the Utah 4A State Meet. Bailey Brinkerhoff, who finished third in the state race, again should lead this team. Their state race resulted in a 113 second spread on their top five. It was higher in the regional race (126 seconds). Desert Hills has the strength in the front. The team just needs to cut down their split on five.
30 – Bend Summit OR NXN Region – Northwest Top Runners – Fiona Max JR, Stella Skovborg JR, Liv Downing SR, Azza Swanson JR, Jasper Fievet SO, Ellie Skjersaa SO, Isabel Max JR Notes – Summit just missed out on a trip the Nike Cross Nationals placing third in the Northwest Region. It could be interesting year for the Storm as they return four of their top five runners led by Fiona and Isabel Max. Summit won the Oregon 5A State title with a perfect score placing five runners in the top six (one runner from another school was an individual). Summit had a 46 second spread in that race. The Storm again should be the 4A State favorite. The question will be if they can take that step into the top two in the regional race.
31 – Muskego WI NXN Region – Heartland Top Runners – Kate Sperka SO, Kate Jochims SR, Brittany Helm JR, McKayla Felton SO, Sara Jochims SO, Maddie Oxborough SO, Ani Oxborough SO. Notes – This is a team to keep an eye on this fall. The Warriors finished second in the Wisconsin D1 State Meet with five freshmen and a sophomore in their top seven. One year of experience could move this team up the ladder dramatically. Kate Sperka finished second and Kate Jochims finished fourth lead this team. Muskego will have the numbers in the front. Watch for their three to five-runner spread to get under 20 seconds this season and getting that pack to within 50 seconds of their front runners. Maybe a state title for the Warriors or perhaps even more.
32 – Southlake Carroll TX NXN Region – South Top Runners – Sofia Santamaria SR, Kate Reppeto JR, Rima Tourie JR, Lydia Lo JR, Shreya Veeravelli SR, Jenna Holland JR, Grace Williamson SO. Notes – It could be a rebuilding year for the defending South Regional Champions. They still have the talent to make it back to Portland. The Dragons finished 20th in the Nike Cross Nationals and have just two runners coming back in 2018. Sofia Santamaria will lead this team having been the second runner a year ago. It could be bumpy for Carroll in September. This team could be tough by the time they get to their state meet.
33 – Beavercreek OH NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Taylor Ewert JR, Juliann Williams SO, Jodie Pierce JR, Kendall Hobbs JR, Bently Barrett SR, Molly Bernard SR, Karitza Garcia SR. Notes – A team that could be a surprise this fall in Ohio. The Beavers finished fifth in the D1 State Meet last year and will look to challenge for a top three finish. It helps to have all-everything Taylor Ewert leading you. The junior was an All-American in December finishing 18th at the Nike Cross Nationals. In the spring, she was the national champion in the 2000 Meter Steeplechase as well as setting national high school records in the walk events.
34 – Houston Stratford TX NXN Region – South Top Runners – Grace Custer SR, Georgia Harper SR, Olivia Hirst JR, Hope Sage JR, Fay Gibb JR, Ella Gibb SR, Jana Mahlich SR. Notes – A new face in the South Regional. The Spartans finished sixth in the Texas 6A State Meet and then fifth in the south regional. Six runners are back from that team led by Gracie Custer who finished 11th in the regional race and only 15th in the state finals. In a year where the South regional appears to be a little down, Stratford could step into one of the two qualifying spots for nationals.
35 – Barrington IL NXN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Molly Fitzpatrick SO, Anne Berquist SO, Katherine Shein SO, Alyssa Norris JR, Eve Hoeltgen SR, Shelby Petersen SR, Sophie Hoeltgen SR. Notes – A team that should have been in Portland last December. The Fillies finished third in the regional race after an off state meet performance where they finished eighth. They do lose Jocelyn Long to graduation but do have the rest of their runners back. Sophomore Molly Fitzpatrick leads Barrington with a good group of sophomores with her. Barrington could make some noise in the toughest regional in the nation. |
