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National High School Girls Team Rankings - 10/28Published by
Saratoga Springs still strongest lineup nationally, but several Colorado programs continue to close gap entering highly anticipated state championship meet at Norris Penrose Events Center; Mira Costa enjoys memorable victory at Mt. SAC Invitational, Edina elevating again approaching Minnesota AAA final By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Saratoga Springs High from New York remains the top girls program in the country, but the performances by several teams Saturday at the Colorado High School Activities Association state championship meet could not only strengthen their national presence, but also determine if any of them are capable of surpassing the Blue Streaks come December. Saratoga Springs swept the top five spots Oct. 16 on the 3-mile course at the Burnt Hills Invitational at Saratoga State Park, led by sophomore Emily Bush winning in 17 minutes, 23 seconds, but the recent performances of Colorado powers Niwot, Arapahoe and Cherry Creek set the stage for one of the most memorable state meets in history at Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs. Niwot, winner of the past three state titles, swept the top seven spots Oct. 22 at its 4A regional, with sophomore Mia Prok covering the 5-kilometer layout at Central Park in Denver in 17:29, and elevated to the top overall team in Colorado entering its championship race. Arapahoe prevailed for the fourth time in seven head-to-head races this season against Centennial League rival Cherry Creek, but the Warriors secured a victory against the Bruins for the first time with Stanford commit Riley Stewart in the lineup Oct. 21 in their 5A regional at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Although Stewart clocked 17:17.5 on the 5-kilometer course, the absence of freshman Paisley Piepgras was a significant factor for Cherry Creek, as Arapahoe relied on Ava Mitchell and Emily Lamontagne to place six athletes in the top nine – all in front of the Bruins’ No. 3 scorer – to produce a 28-39 victory. Cherry Creek won the 5A title last season after Arapahoe captured the championship in 2019. Both teams will be joined in the 5A final Saturday by fellow national programs Valor Christian and Mountain Vista. Mira Costa’s victory Oct. 23 in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes race at the 73rd Mt. SAC Invitational, led by Duke commit Dalia Frias covering the 2.93-mile layout in 16:42.8, has the Mustangs on the verge of joining California rivals Buchanan and Newbury Park in the top 10. But York High from Illinois also moved up and remained ahead of Mira Costa after taking six of the top seven spots at its 3A regional at Proviso West, with junior Bria Bennis covering the 3.05-mile course in 17:44.3. American Fork placed three athletes Wednesday in the top 10 and captured its first 6A state championship in Utah since 2018 to ascend into the top 15. Sophomore Avalon Mecham covered the 5-kilometer layout in 17:30 at the Regional Athletic Complex in Salt Lake City to finish second for American Fork. Edina also returned to the national rankings following its most impressive performance of the season in Minnesota, placing three athletes in the top 10 – with senior Maggie Wagner finishing second and sophomore Ella Hinkie taking third in the 5-kilometer race – and all five scorers among the first 15 finishers Tuesday at the 2AAA Sectional at Gale Woods Farm to produce a 39-point effort, ahead of both Prior Lake and Minnetonka. Cuthbertson also became the third Southeast program to establish its presence in the top 30 after being edged by a 29-30 margin Oct. 20 by rival Weddington at the Southern Carolina Conference Championship in North Carolina. Anaheim Canyon rejoined the national elite and gave California four teams in the rankings after winning the Orange County Championships sweepstakes race Oct. 16 and placing second to Mira Costa in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes competition Oct. 23 at the 73rd Mt. SAC Invitational.
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