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Northwest Region Girls Preseason Rankings 2021Published by
Summit looks to maintain elite presence in Oregon against group of strong challengers, in addition to securing another NXN podium finish; Boise could benefit from regional at home, with Montana power Bozeman also in contention By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Northwest Preview Following a memorable year in 2019, when the Northwest Region earned a rare four girls berths to Nike Cross Nationals highlighted by three programs from Oregon, the anticipation is greater than ever for the season-ending meet to return to Portland in December following the cancellation of last season’s event as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although several teams from Oregon and Washington excelled during a unique spring cross country season that culminated in April, the opportunity to race in the fall and compete Nov. 13 at the Eagle Island Course in Boise, Idaho, for a chance to earn one of two automatic berths or a potential at-large bid for the 22-team national championship race at Glendoveer Golf Course has provided even greater motivation for past NXN qualifiers to accomplish the goal again. Only one girls team in the country, Summit High from Oregon, has been on the podium at both the 2018 and 2019 national championship meets, ascending to win its first title after placing 22nd in 2016, then following with a runner-up performance behind Saratoga Springs High of New York two years ago. The Storm, featuring two-time national finalist Teaghan Knox, will encounter several strong contenders in their home state, even before competing at the regionals in search of a fifth appearance at NXN in program history. Jesuit, led by senior Chloe Foerster, along with Ida B. Wells, Franklin, Lincoln and South Eugene are all capable of placing in the top three at the regionals, which would likely lead to qualifying for NXN, as the Northwest has earned at least one at-large berth three times from 2016-19, along with a pair two seasons ago. With no clear favorite in Washington like there was in 2019 with North Central, it has improved the opportunities for programs such as Boise Senior in Idaho and Bozeman High of Montana. Boise placed 10th in 2018, returning after a 13-year absence, and is relying on sophomores Allie Bruce and Samantha Smith in its pursuit of a third NXN appearance in program history. The group also placed second last year behind Desert Vista High from Arizona in the Nike Cross Virtual Championships. Bozeman qualified three years in a row from 2015-17, including finishing in the top 10 in 2016 and 2017, but Montana hasn’t had a team make an appearance since, providing more inspiration for the Hawks to secure a sixth all-time NXN berth. With Sydney Thorvaldson of Rawlins High in Wyoming, now at Arkansas, having won the past two individual regional titles, following three years of combined victories for Montana athletes Camila Noe (Montana State) and Annie Hill (Colorado), the state of Oregon might have an opportunity to produce its first regional winner since Grant Pass standout and recent Stanford graduate Ella Donaghu in 2014. Foerster is one of the early favorites, but Lake Oswego junior Kate Peters, Franklin senior Kaiya Robertson, Ida B. Wells senior Charlotte Richman and Summit’s Knox are also potential contenders. 1. Summit OR. In case anyone needed a reminder of the level at which Summit was training and racing in the spring, the highlight for the group came in April when five athletes ran under 19 minutes on the 5-kilometer layout at Bend Pine Nursery. Coach Kari Strang returns four of those competitors this fall, led by senior Teaghan Knox, who was instrumental in Summit winning its first Nike Cross Nationals title in 2018 and placing runner-up in 2019. Fellow senior Magdalene Williams, along with juniors Payton McCarthy and Barrett Justema, provide experience in the lineup, which was bolstered by the transfer of junior Ella Thorsett from Sisters, a 4A state champion in 2019 and runner-up as a sophomore. An appearance Sept. 25 at the Bob Firman Invitational in Idaho should showcase the potential of Summit, which also returns senior Ashley Boone and junior Camille Broadbent on a roster that is not just seeking a fifth appearance at NXN, but once again has podium aspirations in Portland. 2. Boise ID. The biggest blessing for coach Aaron Olswanger is that his top two athletes also happen to be among the elite sophomores in the country in Allie Bruce and Samantha Smith, so Boise is expected to remain strong in the years ahead. But with seniors Annika Zuschlag, Jamie Hamlin and Logan Smith in the lineup, there is a sense of urgency for the Brave to make a return trip to NXN following a 10th-place finish in 2018. An appearance Sept. 25 at the Bob Firman Invitational will help Boise evaluate its potential in the postseason, with juniors Lydia Nance, Kayla Wiechowski and Perry Kemper looking to gain meaningful experience racing in a large field, since the group was dominant in winning the 5A state title last year, and the Brave wasn’t able to be tested against strong out-of-state opponents during the pandemic. 3. Jesuit OR. Senior Chloe Foerster has developed into one of the elite middle-distance athletes in Oregon prep history and is looking to translate an exceptional track season into significant strides at the 5-kilometer distance this fall. Coach Laura Harmon returns plenty of firepower from a group that placed 11th at NXN in 2019, in addition to welcoming a pair of freshmen in Emma Bennett and Maura O’Scannlain that will add depth to an already impressive roster. Juniors Maggie Bennett, Natalie Jack and Naya Wrenn, in addition to senior Claire Cooney all have extensive postseason experience, with rising sophomore Kennedy Averill also looking to make an impact for the Crusaders, who will benefit from multiple matchups against Summit in pursuit of a 10th appearance at the national meet, most all-time among Oregon programs. 4. Bozeman MT. The Hawks achieved three top 10 finishes at NXN in their five appearances from 2010-17 and have the potential to earn a return trip to Oregon if they can develop enough support behind sophomore Natalie Nicholas and senior Hayley Burns. Junior Lucia McCormick and sophomores Polly Meshew and Serena Sproles have postseason experience, but the improvement of senior Natalie Patch, junior Sarah Wheeler and sophomore Nomi Friedman could make the difference for Bozeman in November. Coach Casey Jermyn helped the Hawks achieve the highest girls finish in state history at NXN by placing fifth in 2017, but the strength of Boise Senior High from Idaho and North Central High in Washington, along with the depth of Oregon programs has made it even more challenging for Bozeman to secure a sixth berth to race at the national meet. 5. Ida B. Wells OR. With so much depth and parity behind Summit and Jesuit throughout Oregon, programs like Franklin, Lincoln and South Eugene all have the capabilities to elevate during the postseason and contend for a berth to the national meet in Portland. But the leadership of senior Charlotte Richman, along with the consistency of junior Petra Schuster and sophomore Josie Fale gives coach Thor Esbensen an opportunity to develop a lineup that could be a prominent factor in the 6A state final as well as the regional meet in November. Sophomores Jordyn Davies and Lily Roller, who helped Ida B. Wells win the Rose City Championship in April during the Trojans’ spring cross country season, have been provided additional support from fellow 10th-grader Olivia Kozitza, as the group looks to improve on its sixth-place finish at the state final and 20th-place performance at the regional in 2019. WATCHLIST More news |
