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National High School Girls Team Rankings - 10/10Published by
Beavercreek OH Developing Into A National Contender By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Whether it was a runner-up finish at the McQuaid Invitational in New York without Taylor Ewert in the lineup or a convincing victory at the Nike Valley Twilight Invitational in Indiana with the Arkansas-bound standout leading the charge, Beavercreek OH has continued to build momentum in recent weeks. The Beavers lead one of the deepest regions in the country in the Midwest and have developed into a potential national podium contender if they can remain healthy during the second half of the season. Ewert and fellow senior Savannah Roark form one of the top tandems in the nation. They have been instrumental for Beavercreek in rising to the occasion against one of the most challenging schedules in the country. Beavercreek and Fayetteville-Manlius NY have a lot in common in that both programs are impressive through four runners, but are still seeking improvement from their fifth scorers in order to mount a legitimate challenge to top-ranked Summit OR, the reigning Nike Cross Nationals champion. Summit boasts a deep and versatile roster that is continuing to get healthier and gaining more confidence with each passing week, especially with senior Isabel Max now returning to the varsity lineup to support twin sister Fiona Max and sophomore Teaghan Knox, along with senior Kelsey Gripekoven finally making her season debut Oct. 4 at the Oxford Classic. If Fayetteville-Manlius can get continued improvement from eighth-grader Ani Sydorowich or Beavercreek senior Kendall Hobbs is able to close the gap on the team’s fourth scorer, then either squad is capable of winning a national championship. After Colorado programs and the Southwest Region dominated the Desert Twilight Festival in Arizona on Sept. 27 and Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 28, the attention turned to the Midwest in the past 10 days, with impressive performances at the Nike Valley Twilight Invitational, the Portage Invitational and the Naperville Twilight Invitational. Following a humbling setback to Cherry Creek CO at Roy Griak, Naperville North rebounded with a strong effort Wednesday to prevail against Illinois rivals Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central and Yorkville at Naperville Twilight. Columbus North IN also prevailed over Yorkville at the Nike Valley Twilight Invitational. Petoskey and Ann Arbor Pioneer both produced quality victories in their respective divisional races in Michigan at the Portage Invitational. Although Loudoun Valley VA finished second to Great Oak CA in the Nike Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina, the Vikings demonstrated Southeast supremacy against Pine Crest FL and showcased they are a legitimate threat to advance to nationals. The meets with the most regional and national implications this weekend occur on both coasts, with the ASICS Clovis Invitational in California and Hole in the Wall Invitational in Washington, along with the Manhattan Invitational in New York and Florida State Invitational in Florida. Top 30 |
