Boys Regional Rankings 11/1

By Paul Schmitz of DyeStat

Early November is an interesting time for cross country rankings. Eighteen states have already completed their state meets and leaders have emerged and 20 more states are scheduled for championships this Saturday. By contrast, California has still has three more weeks until its state meet (and NXR merge).

The Southeast region claimed its first NXN champion (Loudoun Valley) and a first NXN at-large bid for the region (Green Hope NC) in 2017. Both outcomes are again possible with regional No. 1 Loudoun Valley leading a strong contingent of nationally tested teams in The Bolles School of FL, Weddington NC and Severna Park MD.

The South is a region still up for grabs with no less than five teams in contention for a Texas Class 6A state title and the two NXN berths. Lewisville Flower Mound has been the clear frontrunner all season but the sizable 1-5 split has cost the team in large meets and other Texas teams have started to put together great races. State powers Southlake Carroll and The Woodlands are joined by Comal Smithson Valley and Katy Tompkins as contenders in the Lone Star State.    

The Midwest has had an NXN at-large bid in eight of the 11 years of the current Nike format. In 2018 another at-large looks like a stretch as no team has emerged as a national class team behind Wheaton Warrenville South IL and St. Charles East IL. The Ohio state meet is this weekend and it is possible that either the team from Mason or Hudson steps up into a regional contender. Michigan also holds its state meet Saturday and Brighton, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Plymouth all could move into regional contention with a complete team race. Indiana champion Carmel has qualified for NXN four times, including a 10th-place finish last year. The Greyhounds have an outside chance to challenge top teams from Illinois.   

Southeast 

1. Loudoun Valley VA

2. The Bolles School FL

3. Weddington NC

4. Severna Park MD

5. Cary NC 

South 

1. Lewisville Flower Mound TX

2. Southlake Carroll TX

3. The Woodlands TX

4. Comal Smithson Valley TX

4. Katy Tompkins TX

Heartland

1. Wayzata MN

2. Edina MN

3. Mounds View MN

4. Olathe North KS

5. Dowling Catholic WI

Midwest

1. Wheaton Warrenville South IL

2. St. Charles East IL

3. Plymouth MI

4. Carmel IN

5. Mason OH  

New York

1. Fayetteville-Manlius

2. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

3. Smithtown West

4. Liverpool

5. Saratoga Springs

Northeast

1. Bishop Hendricken RI

2. Christian Brothers Academy NJ

3. La Salle Academy RI

4. Haddonfield Memorial NJ

5. Downingtown West

Southwest

1. American Fork UT

2. Dakota Ridge CO

3. Corner Canyon UT

4. Mountain Vista CO

5. Skyridge UT

Northwest

1. Kamiakin WA

2. Lewis and Clark WA

3. Redmond WA

4. Franklin OR

5. Rocky Mountain ID

California 

1. Great Oak

2. Claremont

3. Newbury Park

4. Dana Hills

5. West Ranch