Girls Regional Rankings - 11/18/2021

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Although Michigan High School Athletic Association rules don’t allow Ann Arbor Pioneer to be recognized as Nike Midwest Regional champions following their performances Sunday at the LaVern Gibson course in Terre Haute, Ind., the efforts produced by Purple Track Club – especially sisters Rachel Forsyth and Sarah Forsyth – have elevated them to the top of the regional rankings for the first time this season.

Ann Arbor Pioneer, the Michigan Division 1 state champion, edged Illinois 3A winner York – competing as Kroy – by a narrow margin, thanks sophomore Rachel Forsyth winning the 5-kilometer race in 17:58.5 and senior Sarah Forsyth finishing fifth in 18:21.2.

But in order to avoid potential ineligibility from Michigan state officials, Ann Arbor Pioneer had to treat the regional as an exhibition. The team championship went to York, led by a 17th-place finish from sophomore Katherine Klimek.

Prospect, the 3A runner-up in Illinois, ascended into the Midwest rankings following a third-place finish, ahead of Indiana state champion Columbus North. Despite not competing at the regional, Michigan Division 1 runner-up Holland West Ottawa remained fifth in the Midwest rankings.

Another regional that produced a change at the top was the Northeast Regional, with North Allegheny surpassing a group of New Jersey programs after a dominant effort Nov. 6 in the AAA state final at the Hershey Parkview course.

Sophomore Eva Kynaston and freshman Wren Kucler finished fifth and sixth for North Allegheny, which could square off with several top New Jersey programs Nov. 27 at the regional meet at Bowdoin Park in New York.

New Jersey completed its group championships Nov. 13 at Holmdel Park, with none of the top programs in the state matching up ahead of the Meet of Champions on Nov. 20 at the same venue.

Haddonfield Memorial achieved the strongest performance, with Colts Neck, Cherokee and Ridgewood also in contention for the team title.

Despite the absence of Lewisville Flower Mound from the South Regional meet Nov. 20, the Jaguars will remain ahead of their fellow Texas programs following an exceptional performance in the 6A state final Nov. 6 at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, with Natalie Cook clocking 16:32.4 to win the individual crown, followed by Nicole Humphries in fourth at 17:39.3.

Buchanan will continue its march toward a third showdown with Newbury Park in the California Division 1 state final Nov. 27 at Woodward Park in Fresno by competing Nov. 18 in the Central Section championships on the same 5-kilometer course.

Newbury Park is scheduled to race Nov. 20 at the Southern Section Division 1 final at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Cambridge Christian remained in front of North Carolina 4A rivals Cuthbertson and Weddington in the Southeast Regional following a strong effort Nov. 12 to capture the Florida 1A championship, with Caroline Lehman (17:53.3), Mary Ellen Eudaly (18:09.9) and Eliana Black (18:26.4) sweeping the top three spots at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

Saratoga Springs, the top-ranked team in the country, placed five scorers in the top 11 of the New York Class A state final to prevail by a 26-46 margin over Fayetteville-Manlius in the first showdown this season involving the state’s two elite programs.

Fayetteville-Manlius freshman Izzie Sullivan edged Saratoga Springs sophomore Emily Bush by a 17:40.8 to 17:50.2 margin at Chenango Valley State Park.

Oregon 6A powers Summit and Jesuit are scheduled to meet again Nov. 20 at the Pacific Northwest Regional Showcase at Lakewood High in Washington, as neither team attended the Northwest Regional on Nov. 13 in Idaho. They will also get to square off for the first time this season against Idaho 5A champion Boise.

SOUTH

1. Lewisville Flower Mound TX

2. Prosper TX

3. Lucas Lovejoy TX

4. Conroe The Woodlands TX

5. Southlake Carroll TX

SOUTHEAST

1. Cambridge Christian FL

2. Cuthbertson NC

3. Weddington NC

4. Howard MD

5. Morgantown WV

NORTHEAST

1. North Allegheny PA

2. Haddonfield Memorial NJ

3. Colts Neck NJ

4. Ridgewood NJ

5. Cherokee NJ

NEW YORK

1. Saratoga Springs

2. Fayetteville-Manlius

3. Northport

4. Cornwall Central

5. East Aurora

MIDWEST

1. Ann Arbor Pioneer MI

2. York IL

3. Mt. Prospect IL

4. Columbus North IN

5. Holland West Ottawa MI

HEARTLAND

1. Edina MN

2. Middleton WI

3. St. Paul Highland Park MN

4. Olathe West KS

5. Wayzata MN

NORTHWEST

1. Summit OR

2. Jesuit OR

3. Boise ID

4. Lincoln OR

5. Eastlake WA

SOUTHWEST

1. Niwot CO

2. Arapahoe CO

3. Cherry Creek CO

4. American Fork UT

5. Valor Christian CO

CALIFORNIA

1. Buchanan

2. Newbury Park

3. Mira Costa

4. Anaheim Canyon

5. JSerra