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XC Zone 2017 Teams to Watch – Boys Pre-SeasonPublished by
By Michael Newman
After calculating rankings for Illinois High School Cross Country the past ten years, I thought it was time to step out of my comfort zone. For more than two years now, I started playing around with national rankings for cross-country. I played around with formulas to see what worked on formulating a ranking system nationally. Some of the things that I saw during that time motivated me to try this. I found one that worked last January. At the end of the track season, I looked at more than 200 national teams per gender doing the same research that I did when I did the Illinois rankings. By mid-July, I came up with a preliminary list. A couple of weeks later. I finalized the 50 teams that you see below. It is not where I think the teams will finish at the end of the year. It is where I see the teams now. The more promotion for high-school cross-country the better for this great sport, right? The pre-season list will have a preview of 50 teams for both Boys and Girls. Each week starting on the week of September 10, I will roll out National and Regional Teams to Watch. The national list will have the top 25 teams. The List for the Regionals will list the top five schools. You can find the National and Regional List each week at ILXCTF XC Zone. Here is a look at the top 50 Boys teams to keep an eye on for the upcoming 2017 cross-country season.
Top 50 National – Boys
1 Purcellville Loudon Valley VA Region – Southeast Top Runners – Peter Morris SR, Colton Bogucki SR, Jacob Hunter JR, Chase Dawson SR, Kevin Carlson SO, Jacob Windle JR, Sam Affolder JR (transfer, Carlisle PA) Notes – At the end of the 2016 Cross Country Season, Loudon Valley looked to be a team that would start this campaign scratching to get into the top ten nationally. The 2016 Virginia 4A state champions return their top six from last year’s state team. The addition of junior Sam Affolder puts them on the top of the list to start the season. Affolder will attend Loudon Valley for his final two high school seasons after attending Carlisle High School in Pennsylvania last year. He ran 9:02 for 3200-metsr last spring and gives the team a strong front runner. Peter Morris, who won the 4A individual title last fall, leads the returnees. The senior finished seventh at the NXR Southeast Regional and then finished 55th at the Nike Cross Nationals. Colton Bogucki ran seven seconds behind Morris last fall and gives the Vikings a strong top three. If this team can keep their top five spread near or under 60 seconds, this team could contend for the national championship.
2 Downers Grove North IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Jacob Ridderhoff SR, Matt Moravec JR, Ryan Birkmeier SR, Nick Chudzik SR, Sam McCool SR, Jack Roberts JR, Brendan Lockerby SR. Notes – The Illinois 3A runners-up from last year return from five of their top seven that finished 12th in Portland and could be in the top five this season. The Trojans showed improvement during the track season including Matt Moravec, who was the team’s seventh man at NXN, earned Illinois all-state honors last May in the 3200 Meter Run. Jacob Ridderhoff and Ryan Birkmeier give North a strong top three. This team lives and dies from running a tight pack. The team’s split on their top five was only 23 seconds in the state meet with all five runners at 15:00 or faster for three miles. Their split at NXN was 35 seconds. The potential is there to improve on last year’s state performance. It could also take them to the next level on the national scene. Read more about the Downers Grove North team.
3 Temecula Great Oak CA Region – California Top Runners – Jacob Korgan SR, Carlos Carvajal SR, Gavin Korby SR, Tyler Tickner JR, Ryan Shields JR, Gabriel Abbes SO, Chris Yerdugo SO. Notes – Great Oak Coach Doug Soles said at last year’s Nike Cross Nationals that his Boys team was a year away. The defending California Division 1 Champions could be one of the top teams in the nation as they return five of their top seven back from that state team. Carlos Carvajal and Jacob Korgan both ran under 9:20 for 3200-meters last spring and will lead this team. The Wolfpack averaged a 35-second split on their top five at the end of the season. The talent is there to have a split near 35 to 40 seconds which would put them in national title contention.
4 Eastvale Eleanor Roosevelt CA Region – California Top Runners – Raymon Ornelas SR, Tyler Spencer SR, Raul Chavez SO, Wayne Richards SR, Michael Sahagun SO, Matthew Lieberman SR. Notes – Roosevelt finished third in last year’s California D1 Championships and were sixth after the power merge of all the California schools. Five of their top six runners are back from that team that could challenge Great Oak for the D1 title. Raymon Ornelas and Tyler Spencer ran under 9:10 for 3200-meters for the track season. They will be the top runners on this team as they were a year ago. Ornelas finished 11th at state with Spencer seven seconds behind him. The key for this team is getting their top five split down this season. The split on their top five last year was 44 seconds at last year’s state meet. Ornelas and Spencer should finish in the top-seven at state. A split of 40 seconds or under puts them ahead of Great Oak and possibly in Portland the following week.
5 Carmel IN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Ben Miller SR, Colin Murphy SR, Calvin Bates JR, Keelan Grant SR, Thomas Gastineau JR, Ben Myers SO, Trey Harris SR. Notes – Carmel’s team is loaded after finishing second in their state meet and seventh at the Nike Cross Midwest Regional. Six of their top seven are back with big expectations. The Greyhounds had 41 runners under five minutes for 1600-meters. Six of their top seven ran 4:30 or faster. The talent is so close on this team as Ben Miller, Colin Murphy or Calvin Bates could all be the top runner at the end of the year. It could be Miller as he ran 9:10 to finish third at his state meet at 3200-meters. There was consistency on their top five and split last year. It was 40 seconds at the state meet and then 42 seconds at NXR Midwest. Miller was the team’s fifth runner at state. The key is moving the pack up and keeping only 32 to 34 seconds among their scorers. That could get them out of a tough Midwest Regional and on their way to Portland.
6 Plymouth Wayzata MN Region – Heartland Top Runners – Khalid Hussein SR, Grant Price JR, Grant Matthews SR, Blake Buysse SR, Mitchell Tollander SR, Andrew Brandt JR. Notes – The Minnesota AA State champions will be in the mix for a nation title with four of their top seven back. Khalid Hussein could earn All-American honors this fall having run 4:12 for 1600-meters and 9:16 for 3200-meters last spring. Their top five back all ran under 9:42 for 3200-meters. The Trojans also have 8 returning runners that have run under 4:30 for 1600-meters. With three of their top four back, the key is getting their fourth and fifth runners to within 45 seconds of Hussein. It was 54 seconds at Nike Cross Nationals.
7 Louisville St. Xavier KY Region – Southeast Top Runners – Patrick Schaefer SR, Cooper Marchal SR, Zach Larkin JR, Grady Shiflet JR, Thomas Knepshield SR, Eric Portoro SR. Notes – The experience from last year’s Nike Cross Nationals should be a difference maker for the Tigers in 2017. St. Xavier finished 13th in Portland and have six of their top seven coming back. Patrick Schaefer was the team’s top runner most of last year. He was the team’s fifth man at NXN. Juniors Zach Larkin and Grady Shiflet should be solid top three runners. The defending Kentucky 3A champions live off a tight five runner pack. It was 30 seconds at state, 23 seconds at NXR, and then 24 seconds at NXN. That was with Schaefer at the five-spot. This team is sneaky good. We will find out how good in September as they run at the Trinity/Valkyre Invitational in Louisville, the Palatine Invitational in Illinois, and the Great American Cross-Country Festival in a four-week span.
8 San Jose Bellarmine Prep CA Region – California Top Runners – Meka Beaudoin-Rousseau SR, Alex Scales SR, Luke Pinkel JR, Neerav Gade SR, Ross D’Orfani JR, Thomas Clark SR. Notes – The Bells were not among the top ten California teams after the state meet last November. This squad could push for one of the top two California teams this fall as five of their top six return. Meika Baeaudoin-Rousseau, who finished 19th at the Foot Locker Nationals, returns as the top runner on this team. Alex Scales showed improvement during the track season dropping his personal best down to 4:13.39 for 1600-meters and 9:13.91 for 3200-meters. Their split on five at state was 63 seconds. If Scales can stay closer to Beaudoin-Rousseau in races this fall, a split of 50 seconds or faster on their top five could mean important things for this team.
9 Central Point Crater OR Region – Northwest Top Runners – Andrew Monroe SR, Derek Tripp SR, Erik Olsen SR, Jantz Tostenson JR, Gabe Southyard SR, Gage Reed SO, Ryland McCullough SO, Nathan Edwards JR. Notes – This looks to be the top team in the Northwest region in 2017. The Oregon 5A state champions return the bulk of their top seven for action this fall. Defending individual champion Andy Monroe will be the top runner for the Comets again this year. Monroe finished 35th at Portland last December. An injury at the end of the track season could slow him down early in the year. He did run 1:53 for 800-meters, 4:09.45 for the mile, and 8:37.28 for 3000-meters. Ignore the top five-split on the top five runners especially with Monroe out front. Their split on the second through fifth runners, led by Derek Tripp, needs to stay near 25 to 30 seconds for this team to make an appearance at Nike Cross Nationals.
10 Lincroft Christian Brothers NJ Region – Northeast Top Runners – Patrick Kilcooley JR, Brian Hill SR, Ryan Miele SR, Troy Hill SO, John Sheridan SR, Tanner Crochet JR, Tim McInerney JR. Notes – The perennial powers in the northeast again should rule the region in 2017. Christian Brothers did not have their best race at Nike Cross Nationals finishing 20th in that race. The combination of three returnees along with some extraordinary depth could get the Colts into the top ten and back to Portland. Patrick Kilcooley, Brian Hill, and Ryan Miele are a strong top three for this team. They return six runners that ran under 4:30 for 1600-meters. The key for this team could be junior Tim McInerney who dropped his 3200-meters personal best down to 9:20.91 this past track season. He will help with their strength up front. This squad has the potential to finish in the top five nationally this December.
11 Dana Point Dana Hills CA Region – California Top Runners – Jack Landgraf SR, Eddie Wagenseller JR, Simon Fuller JR, Carrick Dinker SO, Hayden Stein JR. Notes – It could be tough for Dana Hills to make it back to Portland especially on how tough California should be this season. The Dolphins do return five runners from last year’s team that finished 14th at the Nike Cross Nationals and second in the California D1 State Meet. Two of their top five have graduated on this team that ran a 35 second split at state but then a 62 second spread at NXN. Jack Landgraf looks to step into the top spot for this team. The key will be reducing a possible gap from Landgraf to the rest of the pack from an average of 38 to 40 seconds down at least 15 seconds.
12 Conroe The Woodlands TX Region – South Top Runners – Gavin Hoffpauir SR, Daniel Baker SR, Ethan Mercado SR, Michael Childree SR, Matthew Jones SR, Cameron Samways SR, Ethan Hammer SO, Ryan Raiford SR. Notes – Woodlands lost three of their top seven from a team that finished eighth at last year’s race in Portland. The Highlanders had a great track season and will build off that this fall. This team does not rebuild. They just reload. Gavin Hoffpauir was the second man most of last year and should step into the top spot. Daniel Baker and Ethan Mercado should push for the second spot. The key is getting their top five closer to each other. It was close to 60 seconds at Nationals. Woodlands should be the top team in Texas as well as the South region. A split of 60 seconds or higher will not get them into the top ten in December.
13 Cary Green Hope NC Region – Southeast Top Runners – Finn McBride SR, Peyton Barish SR, Ryan Kemper SR, Ian Delgado SR, Daniel Vo SR, Reed Blackman JR, Alex Huml JR, Michael Taylor SO. Notes – This is a team that could make their presence known nationally after finishing sixth in last year’s NXR Southeast Region. Green Hope finished second in the North Carolina 4A State championship by one point. Six of their top seven return. Finn McBride and Peyton Barish should be the top two runners on this team. Their top five spread at state was only 32 seconds. They could get closer together this fall but will need to move their pack closer to the front. We could see how good this team is at the Great American Cross Country Festival at the end of September.
14 Princeton NJ Region – Northeast Top Runners – William Hare SR, Acasio Pinheiro JR, Alex Ackerman SR, Jackson Donahue SR, Nicholas Delaney SR. Notes – This is a team that could surprise some in 2017. Princeton finished seventh at the NXR Northeast regional after winning the New Jersey Meet of Champions the week before. Five of their top seven are back led by William Hare. He will have to be the front runner on the team since their top guy Alex Roth has graduated. The key is keeping their split under 60 seconds on their top five. That was the split most of last year on their second through fifth runners.
15 Elmhurst York IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Charlie Kern SR, Sean MacGregor SR, Jackson Bode SR, Tim Stevenson SR, Ethan Kern SO, Daniel Klysh SO, Danny Honquest SR, John Rosak SR. Notes – It was a rollercoaster year for this traditional national power. After the announcement after longtime coach Joe Newton announced his retirement, the Dukes finished 16th at the Illinois 3A state meet. That experience could be big for this senior dominated team in 2017. Charlie Kern ran one of the fastest junior times ever in finishing fourth at last year’s state meet. Sean MacGregor was tenth in that race and gives York firepower up front. Jackson Bode could be a key. He was sick towards the end of the year after running close to MacGregor early in the season. His times dropped and could be towards the front this year. Tim Stevenson dropped his personal best 30 seconds down to 9:37 for 3200-meters last spring and could be the surprise. They do have depth but will need to see which runner will step into the top five-spot. York does have the talent to make a return to Portland. Read more about the York IL team
16 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake NY Region – New York Top Runners – Evan Brennan JR, Aidan Gillooley JR, Tyler Berg JR, David Metacarpa SO, Nick Hunzicker JR, Michael Messere SR, Kevin Board SO. Notes – The Class B champions in New York from a year ago could be the top team in the state this fall. Their top four are back from a team that finished second at the New York Federations and seventh at the NXR New York Regional. A key will be finding a fifth runner. Evan Brennan was the team’s top runner for most of the year before dropping to third man at NXR. Aidan Gillooley and Tyler Berg should also challenge for the top spot. Their split on four projects to be at 60 to 65 seconds. That would be okay for the first five but not four.
17 Orem Timpanogos UT Region – Southwest Top Runners – Brennan Benson SR, Ben Berlin SR, Spencer Robinson SR, Tony Ortiz SR, Kolton Brammal SR, Bryce Hugh SR, Isaiah Nimmer SR, Tyler Weber SR. Notes – Timpanagos could be the top team in the Southwest since graduation hit most of the region’s teams hard. The Timberwolves finished fourth at the NXR Southwest Regional after finishing second at the Utah 4A State Meet. Five of their top seven are back from that team led by seniors Brennan Benson and Ben Berlin. This squad will need to keep their five-runner spread under 40 seconds for a state championship and a trip to the NXN Nationals.
18 Loyola CA Region – California Top Runners – Shane Bissell SR, David McAndrews SR, Brandon Cobian SR, Corey Kumamoto SR, Liam Jamieson SR, Anthony Stone SO. Notes – Second in the California Division 2 Meet in 2016, Loyola could be the top team in that division as they return five from that team. Shane Bissell stepped up at state as the team’s top runner but will miss their next two-runners’ due to graduation. This team lived off a strong pack as evidenced at state with only 26-seconds separating their first five. A split under 40 seconds could get their team the Divisional state title bit also one of the top four teams in the state.
19 Naperville Neuqua Valley IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Zach Kinne JR, Ryan Kennedy SR, Danny Winek SR, Tyler Bombacino SR, Alex Johnson SR, Chris Keeley JR, Michael Madioh JR, Nick Drechser JR. Notes – Neuqua Valley’s depth should show in 2017 despite that this squad lost six of their seven runners to graduation from last year’s fifth place national team. Zach Kinne ran 9:11 last spring to earn Illinois all-state honors in the 3200 Meter Run. Ryan Kennedy dropped his PR down to 9:23 for that distance and will be one of the team’s front runners. Danny Winek, who missed the 2016 season due to a stress fracture, has NXN meet experience and could push for the top spot. The Wildcats were one of the best teams last year due to a tight split on their top five. A split of under 40 seconds could get this team contending for a spot in Portland at the end of the year. Read more about the Neuqua Valley team
20 Springville UT Region – Southwest Top Runners – Grant Gardner JR, Brandon Garnica SR, Caleb Garnica SR, Adam Grieger JR, Zack Dalley SR, Devin Pancake JR. Notes – Springville made it to Portland last December as one of the four at-large teams. They could make it back as one of the two auto qualifiers. The Red Devils, who finished third at the Utah 4A State Championships and third at the NXR Southwest Regional, return their first four and five of their top seven. Grant Gardner should remain the top runner on the team and one of the top runners in Utah. He finished second at state last year. Brandon Garnica ran within 12 seconds of Gardner most of last year. The senior makes this team even stronger. What could hurt this team is a gap of near 50 seconds between these two runners and the rest of the pack. Their spread on five needs to stay near or under 65 seconds if Springsville wants a repeat trip to Oregon.
21 Alpharetta Milton GA Region – Southeast Top Runners – Nicholas Yanek SR (Transfer from Pleasant Valley IA), Sam Bowers SR, Michael Malkowski SR, Ryan Beitzell SR, Cam Harman SR, Dru Milton SR. Notes – Milton finished third in last year’s Georgia 7A State Championships and returns five from that team. The Eagles did not compete at the NXR Southeast regionals in 2016. They could this fall especially with Nicholas Yanek a part of the top seven. Yanek transferred to Milton from Pleasant Valley, Iowa at the end of the last cross-country season where he finished 10th at the Iowa 4A State Meet and 16th at the NXR Heartland Regional. He ran 9:23 for 3200-meters this spring along with running 15:14 for 5000-meters. Sam Bowers should be by his side. Bowers is the defending 7A state champion giving Milton a strong 1-2 punch. Michael Malinowski finished sixth at state and will need to stay within 20 seconds of Yanek/Bowers. Their split could be close to 90 seconds on five. It will need to close a little. But with three up front, they could be the favorites in Georgia with a chance to advance to the Nike Cross Nationals.
22 Portland Jesuit OR Region – Northwest Top Runners – Josh Schumacher SR, Grant Summers SR, Will Sheaffer JR, Jude Augustine SR, Deklan Humble SR, Shaw Powell SO, Max Himmelight SR, Eric Beldon SO. Notes – Jesuit returns four of their top five from last year’s Oregon Class 6A third place team. They finished 17th at the NXR Northwest Regional but that was without their star runner Josh Schumacher who focused on the Foot Locker Nationals finishing eighth in the West Regionals and 27th in the finals. Schumacher did some wonderful things during the track season running 14:29 for 5000-meters at the USATF Junior Nationals and winning the Oregon 6A 3000 Meter Run in 8:29.01. Grant Summers missed the second half of the season last fall due to injury. He came back in track to run 8:40 for 3000-meters in the Oregon State Meet. He will give Jesuit a strong 1-2 punch up front. He should be one of the top runners in the country. Keeping a spread of 30 seconds for the pack behind Schumacher and Summers as well as staying within 45 seconds of him could be big for this team at the end of October and beyond.
23 Highlands Ranch Mountain Vista CO Region – Southwest Top Runners – Carter Dillion SR, Parker Mackay SR, Justin Lund SR, Caden Foster SR, Cameron Beal SR, Ethan Rouse JR, Brian Ma JR, Aaron Hart JR. Notes – Five of their top seven is back from a Mountain Vista team that finished second in the Colorado 5A state championships and sixth at the NXR Southwest Regional. They will miss their top runner Josh Romine who finished second at state and has graduated. Carter Dillion should step up as the team’s top runner. Parker Mackay, who suffered an injury at the state meet and did not run at NXR, bounced back in track finishing fifth in the 3200 Meter Run at the 5A State Meet. He will be counted on up front. Keeping their five-runner spread under 55 seconds will help in getting a state championship as well as a December trip to Portland.
24 Brentwood Academy TN Region – Southeast Top Runners – Carter Cheeseman JR, Davis Holliday SR, Matthew McMillian JR, Matthew Porter JR, George Payne JR, Jacob Gregory SR, Eddie Lunn JR, Jackson Gregory SR. Notes – This could be the year that Brentwood Academy jumps out of the shadows of NXN third-place team Brentwood (TN). The Eagles won the Tennessee D2-AA title in 2016 and then followed up by finishing fifth at the NXR Southeast Regional. Six of their top seven are back led by Carter Cheeseman and Davis Holliday. A key for this team will be Holliday staying within 10 seconds of Cheeseman especially towards the end of the season as well as keeping their scoring spread under 50 seconds.
25 Veradale Central Valley WA Region – Northwest Top Runners – Ryan Kline JR, Gabe Rommey SR, Evan Peters JR, Joey Nicholls JR, Fielding Demars SR, Sheamus Mahoney JR, Will Grassel SR. Notes – The Washington 4A runners-up from 2016 will be a team to watch in the Northwest. The Bears finished only 11th at the NXR Northwest Regional returning six from that team. Ryan Kline leads the team that ran a 45 to 50 second split on their five scorers. The pack needs to move up for good things to happen at the end of the year.
26 Bozeman MT Region – Northwest Top Runners – Duncan Hamilton SR, Leonard McComas SR, Dylan Humberger SR, Simon Roszenheig SR, Seth Vinger SR, Griffin May SO, Renn Meuweissen JR. Notes – The 2016 Nike Cross Nationals champions return two of their top five looking for a repeat trip to Portland. Duncan Hamilton, who was the #2 runner on the team at the end of the year, will look to lead this 2017 team. Leonard McComas was within 10 seconds of Hamilton at NXN and will need to stay close to his teammate this season. Their spread on their scorers is projected to be between 81 to 88 seconds this fall. We could see how good this team is at the Mountain West Classic towards the end of September.
27 Mahomet-Seymour IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Riley Fortune SR, Mathias Powell JR, Ryan Hodge SR, Evan Burge SR, Bryson Keeble JR, Kaelan Davis JR, Garret Williams SR, Joe Churm SR. Notes – Mahomet-Seymour was one of the bigger surprises to make it to Portland last December as they finished 17th. The Illinois 2A state champions lost three all-state runners from last year’s team but do have three all-state runners returning led by Riley Fortune, Mathias Powell, and Ryan Hodge. The Bulldogs ran a tight spread on their scorers during last year. It was only 14 seconds at NXN. Their split could be bigger this season perhaps near 35 to 40 seconds. The talent is there to repeat their state championship but it could be tough to make it back to Portland. They will face Neuqua Valley and York at the Richard Spring Invitational the middle of September. Read more about the Mahomet-Seymour team
28 Jacksonville The Bolles School FL Region – Southeast Top Runners – Charles Hicks JR, Chase Rivera JR, Benjamin Foltz JR, George Lewis SR, John Bowers SR, Andrew Hastings JR. Notes – The Fighting Bulldogs finished second in 2016 in the Florida 2A State Meet. They did not compete at the NXR Southeast Regionals. Charles Hicks, who won the 2A state individual title, made it to the Foot Locker Nationals where he finished 36th. Five other runners are back from that state team. Their split on five from Hicks averaged near 80 seconds during the year but between 35 to 38 seconds on their second through fifth runners. Both numbers need to come down to challenge for a state title and a high finish if they decide to run at the NXR Southeast Regional.
29 Fort Wayne Carroll IN Region – Midwest Top Runners – Cole Powers JR, Connor Goetz SR, Draum Thompson JR, Cory Waldron JR, Jack Just SR. Notes – The defending Indiana state champions will have four runners back from that team. Their key is finding a fifth runner. Cole Powers and Connor Goetz ran side by side at the NXR Midwest Regionals. That will need to be a common place in 2017. Their spreads on five was only 25 seconds at a hot state meet, then 38 seconds at NXR. It could be double that at the beginning of the year. The Chargers will need to build their depth and find a fifth runner this year. If it happens, they could challenge Carmel for the state title.
30 LaGrange Lyons Township IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Danny Kilrea SR, Colin Costello JR, Charles Harders SR, Andrew Tarasuk SR, Patrick Kane SR, Luke Van Koevering SR, Jack Ehlert SO, Drew Dilcher JR. Notes – Only two runners are back from Lyons Township’s team that finished fourth in the Illinois 3A meet and then fourth at the NXR Midwest Regional. One of those returning runners is Danny Kilrea who is one of the top returning runners in the nation. Kilrea finished 13th at last year’s Nike Cross Nationals as well as running 9:10 or faster for 3200-meters last spring. That’s a good place to start for the Lions. Charles Harders showed improvement during the track season and will lead the pack with Colin Costello behind Kilrea. Costello was running 55-60 seconds behind Kilrea most of last year until an injury slowed him down at the end of the year. This is a team that could have a 15-20 second spread on their second through fifth runners. The key is keeping that pack 55-60 seconds behind Kilrea. Read more about the Lyons Township team
31 Phoenix Desert Vista AZ Region – Southwest Top Runners – Habtamu Cheney SR, Reece Donihi SR, Nick Thatcher SR, Aksel Laudon SR, D’Angelo Piasecki SR, Bryce Schmisseur SR, Travis Kearney JR. Notes – The defending Arizona Division 1 champs have the talent back with five of their first back. They did not have their best race at the NXR Southwest Regional finishing 20th. Habtamu Cherry, who finished fourth in the state meet, will be the top runner for the Thunder. Cherry, Reece Donihi, and Aksel Laudon all ran 9:33 or under last spring for 3200—meters. The key for success for this team will be keeping their top five spread under 40 seconds. It was only 39 seconds in their state race. The split ballooned up to 72 seconds at NXR. It will be one of the things we will watch the first month of the season at meets including Woodbridge (CA) and the Desert Classic at the end of September.
32 Blue Springs MO Region – Midwest Top Runners – Victor Mugeche SR, Oaklee Hauschild SR, Gabe McClain JR, Jonah Loewe SR, Morgan Cauveren SR, Armani Redes JR. Notes – In a loaded Midwest regional, Blue Springs might be the team to sneak up on squads from Illinois and Indiana. They return their first six runners from a team that finished fourth at the Missouri Class Four state championships. Victor Mugeche, who finished second at last year’s state meet, will be one of the top runners in the state and again leading this team. Mugeche ended his track season strong running 9:12 at the Midwest Distance Classic. Oaklee Hauschild ran between 20-25 seconds behind Mugeche most of last fall needs to be within 10 seconds of his teammate in 2017. Their spread on five averaged close to 90 seconds last year and needs to come down. Keeping their third through fifth runner pack within 20-seconds of Hauschild would be a good start.
33 Winter Haven Trinity Prep FL Region – Southeast Top Runners – Kayamo Galloway SO, Trent Turbyfill SR, Mamush Galloway SO, Richard Woodruff SR, Sean Leider SR, Christopher Wilhelm JR. Notes – The defending Florida Division 2 state champions could be in the running for an NXN bid but will have to work for it. Only three runners from last year’s state team are back led by brothers Kayamo and Mamush Galloway. The Saints finished fourth at last year’s Southeast regional with the Galloway brothers and Trent Turbyfill within ten seconds of each other. This squad will need to find a fourth and fifth runner to complement the pack.
34 Saint John’s Shrewsberry MA Region – Northeast Top Runners – Patrick Craemer SR, Joshua Rahn SR, Joe Walsh SR, Mitchell Witt SR, Tyler Griffin SR, Dominic Mastromatte JR. Notes – We could see this Massachusetts team challenging for a top three regional finish this season. After finishing fourth in the Massachusetts Division 1 State Meet, the Pioneers rebounded by finishing sixth at the NXR Northeast Regional. Six of their top seven are back led by Patrick Craemer who finished 12th in the regional meet. The team had troubles getting their five-runner spread under 60 seconds last season having run 62 seconds at regional. The experience from last year’s season will be a tremendous help in getting a state title as well as a trip to Oregon.
35 Arlington Heights Hersey IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Jack Methner SO, Max Svienty SO, Ryan Buch JR, Ryan Thiesen SR, Nate Mayo SR, Jack Fredian SR, Quinn Cunningham SR, Thomas McCarthy JR, Sean Paton SR. Notes – This is a team to keep an eye on especially in the next few years. They could be a surprise in 2017. The Huskies did not have their best race at the Illinois 3A state meet finishing 17th. They have a young squad that is led by sophomores Josh Methner and Max Svienty who both ran under 9:27 for 3200-meters during the track season. Ryan Buch was one of their top runners early last year but injuries interrupted his season. Ryan Thiesen also was lost with an injury at the beginning of last year where he was one of the team’s top runners. If Buch and Thiesen is healthy, Hersey could have a strong top four. The two sophomores could be all-state runners in a tough Illinois state meet. A five-runner split of 42 seconds or faster could make this team a squad to watch especially in November at the NXR Midwest Regional. Read more about the Hersey IL team
36 Brentwood TN Region – Southeast Top Runners – Brodey Hasty SR, Scott Thompson SR, Quinn Heithrock JR, Elias Sandifer JR, Luke Lattin SO, Grant Thompson SO. Notes – The third-place team from last year’s Nike Cross Nationals suffered a little losing four of their top seven to graduation. It does not hurt that you have two of the top runners in the nation returning. Brodey Hasty is the top runner in the nation finishing third in last year NXN race then winning the 2 Mile Run at the New Balance Indoor Nationals and then running 4:01.75 for the 1 Mile Run and 8:45.95 for the 2 Mile Run outdoors. Scott Thompson showed significant improvement during the track season recording a personal best of 4:08.22 in the 1 Mile Run and 8:57.18 for 3200-meters. Quinn Heithrock ran near 60 seconds behind Thompson most of last year. They will need to develop a fourth and fifth runner to contest for another Tennessee state title and a NXN trip. Prospects for those two spots ran 45-50 seconds behind Heithrock. We will have a better idea of this team by the Great American Cross-Country Festival. It does help to have two small numbers up front.
37 Westport Staples CT Region – Northeast Top Runners – Ben Seiple SR, Will Laddowne SR, Sunil Green SR, Christian Myers SR, Luke Lorenz JR. Notes – The Wreckers came on strong at the end of last year winning the Connecticut Open Championships, the New England Championships, and then a second-place finish at the NXR Northeast Regional. Staples finished 22nd in Portland and return four from that team. A key will be finding a fifth runner with the returning group led by Ben Seiple and Will Laddowne.
38 Monument Palmer Ridge CO Region – Southwest Top Runners – Ryan Matson SR, Brandon Hippe JR, Maxwell Herebic SR, Kieran Nay SR, Aidan Clouse SR, Kendall Riggles JR, Alex Murphy SO. Notes – The Colorado 4A defending state champions could sneak up on some teams this year returning four form their state championship team. Led by Ryan Matson and Brandon Hippe, the key will be keeping their four returnees within 20 to 25 seconds of each other. This team is deep. It will be interesting to see who develops into that position. Palmer Ridge gets an early test in September at Woodbrige (CA).
39 American Fork UT Region – Southwest Top Runners – Carson Clinger JR, Dalton Brems JR, Kobe Serrano JR (transfer, Saugus, CA), Cole Phillipi SR, Aaron Steed JR, Luke Grundvig JR, Alex Garces SR, Andrew Baird JR. Notes – What does a team that lost All-Americans Casey Clinger, MacKay Johns, and Patrick Parker do? They just rebuild. The second-place national team from 2016 does have three runners back with NXN experience led by juniors Carson Clinger and Dalton Brems. A powerful help for the team is the transfer in of Kobe Serrano from Saugus, California. The junior ran 16:12 at last year’s California State Meet and should challenge for a top spot on this squad. The team is young with six of the possible top seven runners being juniors. The Caveman could challenge for an at-large NXN spot at the end of the year. They will be a team to watch in 2018.
40 Painted Post Corning NY Region – New York Top Runners – Quinn Nicholson SR, Daniel Gahagan SR, Bryce Derick JR, Nathan Lawson JR, Camden Zeidel JR, Britton Cook SR. Notes – This team will challenge for one of the top spots in New York. Four of their top five are back from last year’s team that won the state Class A championships. The Hawks finished third at the NXR New York Regional. They will miss the low points that graduated Kevin Moshier gave them. Quinn Nicholson looks to step into the top spot for this team. Corning had a 60 second spread from their second through fifth runners at regionals. The key is to lower that split as well as finding someone to step into the fifth spot.
41 Gig Harbor WA Region – Northwest Top Runners – Peter Smith SR (Transfer, Oscar Smith VA), Bradley Peloquin JR, Nolan Carroll SR, Finlay Adamson SR, Arthur Keast SR, Avery Atwater SR, Keir Adamson SR. Notes – This could be the surprise team in Washington and possibly the Northwest region in 2017 after finishing sixth in the Washington 3A state championship last fall. They have four back from last year’s team. The big addition is the transfer in of Peter Smith who won the Virginia 6A individual championship last fall. Brad Peloquin leads the pack behind Smith. The Tides have the potential to have a split of under 60 seconds oon their top five. That could mean grandiose things when championship racing season comes along.
42 Fairport NY Region – New York Top Runners – Majd Rouhana SR, Sean Henretta JR, Ben Bulkeley SR, Ethan Abell SR, Matt Abell JR, Sam Liberatore SR. Notes – Their 2016 season ended a little early as the Red Raiders missed going to the New York State meet by five points in the Section 5 Finals. Six runners return from that team led by Majd Rouhana. There could be a 15-20 second gap between Rouhana and their other scorers. The key is to keep that pack within 25 seconds of each other to get to the New York State Championships and possibly further into the post-season.
43 Saratoga Springs NY Region – New York Top Runners – Shea Weilbaker JR, Geoff Howles SO, Ezra Ruggles JR, Anthony Verro JR, Gavin Burns SR, Aidan Waite SO. Notes – It could be a rebuilding year for the Blue Streaks after finishing fifth at the NXR New York Regional. Shea Weilbaker leads two other runners back for the 2017 season. Keeping their split under 60 seconds and making sure that possible four-five runners Anthony Verro and Gavin Burns could be a key for this team placing high in their state meet.
44 Providence LaSalle Academy RI Region – Northeast Top Runners – Maxwell Dimuccio SO, Joseph Dosrers JR, Domenic Campagna JR, Jack Wilbur SO, Matthew Carranza SR, Jack Hilton SR, Gian Pandofini SR. Notes – The Rhode Island State Champions could repeat again in 2017 even though their top runner David Principe Jr. has graduated. The third-place team in the NXR Northeast Regional only returns three from that squad. Their key to success is that this team is deep in talent. Sophomore Maxwell Dimuccio along with Juniors Joseph Dosrers and Domenic Campagna are the nucleus of this team that will need to stay within 30-seconds of each other. Their pack needs to stay within 60-seconds of each other to do some big things in championship racing season.
45 Fayetteville-Manlius NY Region – New York Top Runners – Ben Otis SR, Garrett Brennan JR, Matthew Tripp JR, Max Perry JR, Eli Capri JR, jack Duncanson SR. Notes – Don’t be fooled by this low ranking at the beginning of the year. Fayetteville-Manlius finished 19th at the Nike Cross Nationals after failing to make it to the New York State Championships. Ben Otis looks to be the top runner on this team. Garrett Brennan, who was the team’s third runner early in the year before an injury forced him out, could be a pleasant surprise for this team.
46 Wheaton-Warrenville South IL Region – Midwest Top Runners – Sean Maison JR, Scott Maison JR, John Keys SR, William Hauenstein SO, Jacob Kluckhorn SO, Solomon Michaliak SR, Jack James SO, Joseph Franke SO. Notes – A young team that could be a year away from doing some great things on the state and national level. Six of their eight returning runners are underclassmen led by brothers Sean and Scott Maison. The Tigers finished eighth in the Illinois 3A State Meet in 2016 with only a 14 second spread on their top five. They emphasize pack running so small splits are a thing to keep an eye on with this team. Read more about the Wheaton-Warrenville South team
47 Hudson OH Region – Midwest Top Runners – Adam Beucler JR, Jack Good SR, Jacob Russo JR, Evan Mahley JR, Eric Halford SR. Notes – Hudson did not run at the NXR Midwest Regional after finishing a distant second to Solon at the Ohio D1 State Meet. They could be the team to beat in the Buckeye state in 2017 returning five of their top seven. Adam Beucher leads a team that ran a tight pack last year (25 seconds at state). With four of their first five back, a thing to watch is who steps up to the fifth man position.
48 Council Rock North PA Region – Northeast Top Runners – Ryan Campbell SR, Sam Earley SR, Ethan Koza SR, Kevin Ehrgott SR, Matt Mullen JR. Notes – Could be the top team in Pennsylvania again after finishing third at the NXR Northeast Regional and winning the Pennsylvania 3A state title. Two of their first three runners have graduated but the Indians do return five of their top seven. Ryan Campbell again should be the top runner. Their first three are solid and could run within 25 seconds of each other. It is keeping their five-man spread under 48 seconds and watching the development of their fourth and fifth runners will be the questions that will need to be answered early in the season.
49 Corunna MI Region – Midwest Top Runners – Ben Jacobs JR, Dakota Hundley SR, Charlie Brucklayan JR, Miles Peterson SR, Ryan Schwab SR. Notes – This could be the top team in Michigan. It doubtful that we will see this team run together at the Midwest Regionals considering how archaic the rules are by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Corunna is the defending Michigan D2 state champions and return five from that team. They will miss D2 state champion Noah Jacobs who has graduated. His brother Ben, who finished eighth at state, should step into the top spot. Even with Jacobs out front, this team can run under a 55 second split on their five scorers.
50 Severna Park MD Region – Southeast Top Runners – Garrison Clark JR, Jonah Lane SR, Hugh O’Connor SR, Nathan Vandemueleben JR, Jacob Martin JR, Christian Isham SR, Sean Engelfried SR. Notes – This team is young as all their top five were underclassmen last year. The Falcons missed the Maryland 4A State Championship by one point in 2016. They would like to get that championship this fall. Garrison Clark will again be the lead runner on this squad. This team is talented having seven runners under 4:40 for 1600-meters and 25 runners under five minutes.
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