Girls Regional Rankings - 9/19/19

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Several of the top regionally ranked girls teams have competed in smaller, low-key invitationals thus far, but the level of intensity will rise this weekend with a loaded national schedule including the adidas Challenge in North Carolina, Bob Firman Invitational in Idaho, Richard Spring Invitational in Illinois, St. Vrain Invitational in Colorado, Wingfoot Classic in Georgia and Woodbridge Classic in California.

Southlake Carroll has been impressive thus far in Texas, winning its own invitational, but the Dragons will face their most difficult challenge during the regular season Saturday at Woodbridge in the Bob Day sweepstakes race, along with Coppell and Austin Vandegrift. The biggest mover in the South region thus far has been Grapevine, which elevates into the top three after a pair of runner-up finishes at the Southlake Carroll and Denton Guyer invitationals.

Loudoun Valley has performed well at the PTXC-11 and Oatlands Invitational and holds onto the top spot in the Southeast, with Florida powers Pine Crest and The Bolles School building momentum until their showdown Oct. 5 in North Carolina at the Great American Festival. North Carolina programs Weddington and Cuthbertson have both moved into the top five after placing first and second Sept. 6 at the Friday Night Lights Festival in Kernersville, N.C.

North Allegheny PA has prevailed at the Red, White and Blue Classic in its home state, as well as the Boardman Spartan Invitational in Ohio, and will now look to maintain its top spot in the Northeast with another strong performance Saturday at the PIAA Foundation Invitational. Champlain Valley Union VT remains in front of a trio of New Jersey programs following its victory Sept. 14 in the Division 1 race at the Queensbury Invitational in New York.

Fayetteville-Manlius NY looks strong with the performances of its top four runners at both the Vernon-Verona Sherril and East Syracuse Minoa invitationals, with the Hornets still seeking improvement at the No. 5 position. Shenendehowa moved into the top three after a runner-up finish in the Division 1 race Sept. 14 at the Queensbury Invitational. More shuffling behind Fayetteville-Manlius could occur in the coming weeks, beginning Sept. 28 at the McQuaid Invitational.

The most impressive collective performances from one region thus far have occurred in the Midwest, with Naperville North prevailing Sept. 7 in a thrilling matchup against Edina MN at the Spartan Challenge in Iowa, followed by an in-state victory Sept. 14 over Yorkville at the First to the Finish Invitational. Beavercreek OH placed four athletes in the top 10 to win the elite race Sept. 14 at the MSU Spartan Invitational in Michigan, with Downers Grove South IL having four scorers in the top 11 on the same day at the John Kurtz Early Bird Invitational.

Despite its three-point setback at the Spartan Challenge to Naperville North IL, Edina has taken a narrow advantage over Minnesota rival Wayzata in the Heartland, with big opportunities for both teams awaiting Sept. 28 at the Roy Griak Invitational, along with Saint Michael-Albertville and Stillwater Area. Muskego WI has produced two quality efforts thus far at the Milwaukee River Invitational and the West Allis Hale Leighton Betz Invitational.

Despite dealing with some early season injuries, Summit OR has already showcased its depth Sept. 14 at the Northwest Classic, placing five scorers in the top eight in the 5A/6A race. Jesuit OR also showed the improvement of its young lineup Sept. 7 at the Ash Creek Festival. North Central WA will be challenged by Idaho powers Boise Senior and Eagle, as well as Lone Peak and Springville – the top two programs in Utah – at the Bob Firman Invitational in a showcase of elite Northwest talent at the Eagle Island course.

Mountain Vista still isn’t at full strength, but the Golden Eagles remain the top program in Colorado and in the Southwest overall after placing seven athletes in the top 13 on Sept. 14 at the Rock Canyon Invitational. Desert Vista AZ will face important back-to-back tests the next two weekends at the Woodbridge Classic and Desert Twilight Festival, with Lone Peak UT looking to continue momentum at the Bob Firman Invitational following its victory Sept. 14 at the BYU Autumn Classic. Colorado programs Cherry Creek and Cherokee Trail moved up by taking the top two spots in the sweepstakes race Sept. 7 at the Liberty Bell Invitational.

Great Oak demonstrated its depth in California by racing four freshmen and still winning the Sundown Showdown race Sept. 6 at the Cool Breeze Invitational and will face its toughest test to date Saturday in the Bob Day sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Classic. A short-handed Saugus lineup took second at Cool Breeze, followed by fourth at the BYU Autumn Invitational, but still remains ahead of a group of challengers – Anaheim Canyon, Newbury Park, Buchanan, Mira Costa, Vista Murrieta, St. Francis Sacramento, Claremont, El Toro and Sage Creek – looking to close the gap Saturday with strong efforts at Woodbridge.

SOUTH

1. Southlake Carroll TX

2. Flower Mound TX

3. Grapevine TX

4. Coppell TX

5. Prosper TX

SOUTHEAST

1. Loudoun Valley VA

2. Pine Crest FL

3. The Bolles School FL

4. Weddington NC

5. Cuthbertson NC

NORTHEAST

1. North Allegheny PA

2. Champlain Valley Union VT

3. Holmdel NJ

4. North Hunterdon NJ

5. Ridgewood NJ

NEW YORK

1. Fayetteville-Manlius

2. Saratoga Springs

3. Shenendehowa

4. North Rockland

5. Liverpool

MIDWEST

1. Naperville North IL

2. Beavercreek OH

3. Yorkville IL

4. Downers Grove South IL

5. East Grand Rapids MI

HEARTLAND

1. Edina MN

2. Wayzata MN

3. Saint Michael-Albertville MN

4. Muskego WI

5. Stillwater Area MN

NORTHWEST

1. Summit OR

2. North Central WA

3. Boise ID

4. Eagle ID

5. Jesuit OR

SOUTHWEST

1. Mountain Vista CO

2. Desert Vista AZ

3. Lone Peak UT

4. Cherry Creek CO

5. Cherokee Trail CO

CALIFORNIA

1. Great Oak

2. Saugus

3. Anaheim Canyon

4. Newbury Park

5. Buchanan