Springville strengthens case in Utah meet

By Paul Schmitz of DyeStat

It is that strange time of year in cross country when some states are into championship meets, some are beginning conference and sectional meets, while others are just getting into the heart of the regular season. Each week the rankings become more about “What have you done lately” and less about “What could this team look like if it puts it all together?”

Case in point is the merged results at the state meet in Utah. Springville showed it deserves its No. 1 regional ranking and No. 5 spot in the nation, while previous regional No. 5 American Fork continues to rise with a second-place merged finish. Timpanogos has held one of the top two regional spots all year, but falls to No. 4 with an off race at state. It is going to be another wild Southwest regional rankings with several teams in the mix for the top two spots and a potential at-large bid third spot in a very deep region.  

Along with Springville UT, another team that solidified its national standing and No. 1 regional ranking is Christian Brothers Academy NJ. The Colts had run only once with their 'A' lineup. Last Saturday, they won the Eastern States Championship at the Manhattan Invitational over US#20 Fayetteville-Manlius NY, US#11 Green Hope NC and regionally ranked Niskayuna NY, Corning NY and Bolles FL. CBA maintains its hold on the Northeast. 

Green Hope's third place at Manhattan, along with a recent head-to-head win over regional rival St. Xavier KY demonstrates the Falcons belong in the national discussion. The prospects for an NXN at-large bid dim slightly with Green Hope’s third-place finish, but this region could still get one.  

Once again the second spot in the Heartland is a scrum. After front runner Wayzata, no team is stepping up as a clear favorite. The No. 2 spot this week goes to Middleton WI after a convincing win at the Big 8 Conference Championship in Madison. The top team in Wisconsin is still without one of its top runners.    

The Northwest has seven-plus teams within striking distance of an NXR crown. Jesuit OR keeps the top spot. Crater OR is rounding into form just in time for the postseason. Historical regional powerhouse North Central WA has been off the national radar this year and has yet to make the regional top five, but it ran within two points of Central Valley WA at a Greater Spokane League dual this week and could be in the mix by season's end. The rankings stay the same for now but the gaps between the top teams are small.  

Southeast

1. Loudoun Valley VA 

2. Milton GA 

3. Green Hope NC 

4. St. Xavier (Louisville) KY 

5. Trinity (Louisville) KY  

South

1. The Woodlands TX 

2. College Park TX 

3. Southlake Carroll TX 

4. Flower Mound TX

5. El Paso Eastwood  TX 

Heartland

1. Wayzata MN 

2. Middleton WI

3. Stillwater MN

4. Edina MN

5. Dowling Catholic IA 

Midwest

1. Carmel IN 

2. Downers Grove North IL 

3. Neuqua Valley IL 

4. Wheaton Warrenville South IL 

5. Hudson OH 

New York

1. Burnt Hills-Ballston  

2. Fayetteville-Manlius 

3. Niskayuna

4. Northport 

5. Corning   

Northeast

1. Christian Brothers Academy NJ 

2. Bishop Hendricken RI

3. Kingsway NJ

4. St. John’s MA

5. Concord NH 

Southwest

1. Springville UT 

2. Desert Vista AZ 

3. American Fork UT

4. Timpanogos UT 

5. Mountain Vista CO  

Northwest

1. Jesuit OR 

2. Crater OR 

3. Central Valley WA 

4. Franklin OR 

5. Lewis and Clark WA       

California

1. Great Oak  

2. Loyola  

3. Eleanor Roosevelt 

4. Dublin 

5. Dana Hills