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Southeast Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2022Published by
Cardinal Gibbons returns as regional champion, but North Carolina rivals Cuthbertson and Weddington both have potential to become first-time qualifiers to race at NXN; Mountain Brook looks to represent Alabama for first time in 15 years, with Brentwood trying to end Tennessee girls drought with trip to Oregon By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Southeast Preview The presence of the Southeast Region among the top 10 girls programs at Nike Team Nationals or Nike Cross Nationals has included teams from Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia, many of which celebrating only one appearance in the 16-year history of the event. But after four teams from the region finished in the top 20 last year at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Alabama, highlighted by a pair from North Carolina, there is optimism that this season could be a significant one for several Southeast programs. Cuthbertson, Cardinal Gibbons and Weddington are all trying to become the first girls team from North Carolina to place in the top 10 at NXN since Green Hope achieved the feat in 2010. Cuthbertson also has aspirations of delivering the first top-five performance by a Southeast qualifier since Tatnall High from Delaware took third in 2011. Tatnall, which also placed third in 2008, remains the only girls team from the region to produce a podium finish at the event in Portland, Ore. Mountain Brook still boasts the best finish by an Alabama girls program by placing sixth in 2007 and the Spartans have the potential to become the only two-time qualifier in state history. Brentwood could end the drought for Tennessee girls teams, with Morgantown – led by Stanford commit Irene Riggs – also trying to achieve the first berth for a West Virginia program in NXN history. Cardinal Gibbons returns as last year’s NXR Southeast champion, seeking its first opportunity to race in Oregon since 2017, with regional runner-up Assumption of Kentucky and third-place finisher West Springfield from Virginia also in contention once again. Following the success of Pine Crest, Lawton Chiles, Cambridge Christian and IMG Academy in recent years, Florida will look to reigning 2A state champion The Bolles School for a potential breakthrough at the national level this season. Jillian Candelino of Bolles could also be in contention for the top individual prize Nov. 26 at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C., along with fellow Florida standout Eliana Black, a freshman at Cambridge Christian. Riggs, an All-American at Eastbay nationals last year, would be a significant favorite in this year’s regional field should she decide to participate, as Cardinal Gibbons is led by sophomore Hannah Rae Shaffer, the regional winner last season. Sadie Adams, a sophomore from Western Albemarle in Virginia, secured runner-up honors at last year’s regional competition. Ciara O’Shea from Madison Central in Kentucky and Abby Faith Cheeseman of The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn., would also be among the leading challengers at NXR Southeast, but both competitors qualified last year for the Eastbay final. 1. Cuthbertson NC. Following mixed results in several regular-season showdowns last year with North Carolina 4A rival Weddington, the Cavaliers put together their most complete performance at the state final with a 50-98 victory, and they return five athletes that placed in the top 20 from that lineup. Cuthbertson secured the 4A crown after three consecutive titles in 3A and is looking to become only the fourth girls team in North Carolina history to capture at least five straight championships. Although Cuthbertson finished 14th overall at the RunningLane Championships, one spot and 11 points behind Weddington, all the necessary components are in place this season for the Cavaliers to qualify to race at Nike Cross Nationals for the first time. Senior Alyssa Preisano and junior sister Justine Preisano are reliable bookends for the Cuthbertson lineup, with senior Lily Nasta and juniors Stella Kermes and Charlotte Bell also providing meaningful experience, in addition to sophomore Maggie Houp. Junior Lily Fierick demonstrated significant improvement during the spring track season and can add more depth for the Cavaliers. Cuthbertson, which is looking to Green Hope and Cardinal Gibbons as only the third North Carolina girls program to compete at NXN, will have a great opportunity to evaluate its strength nationally Sept. 16 at the Woodbridge Classic in California, as well as Oct. 1 at the Great American XC Festival at WakeMed Soccer Complex, also the site of the NXR Southeast competition. 2. Cardinal Gibbons NC. After finishing third in the North Carolina 4A state final behind Cuthbertson and Weddington, Cardinal Gibbons had four competitors in the top 15 and won the NXR Southeast title, with those athletes all returning this season, led by sophomore Hannah Rae Shaffer, the regional champion and state runner-up from last year. Fellow sophomores Ina Lazarczyk and Addy Mitchell, in addition to junior Peyton LaNasa give the Crusaders consistency in the middle of their lineup. Sophomore Kira Bautz could be instrumental in Cardinal Gibbons’ success this fall, especially after several promising results during her first track season in the spring. Freshman Maggie Whitham should also help the Crusaders close the gap against Cuthbertson as she gains more experience during the season. Cardinal Gibbons made its lone NXN appearance with a 16th-place finish in 2017 and will benefit once again from the challenges provided by Cuthbertson and Weddington in order to prepare itself for the regional meet Nov. 26 at WakeMed Soccer Complex. 3. Mountain Brook AL. It has been 15 years since an Alabama girls program qualified for Nike Team Nationals and the only team from the state to compete in Oregon as an at-large selection still remains Mountain Brook, which finished sixth overall in Portland. Although the Spartans didn’t participate at the RunningLane Championships in their home state with a full lineup last year, Reagan Riley was 21st overall. Mountain Brook delivered a dominant performance at the 6A state final, with Riley capturing the individual crown and fellow senior Clark Stewart taking second to lead the Spartans to their first team championship since securing the victory in 7A in 2015 and surpassing Scottsboro for the most girls titles in Alabama history with 24 overall. Hunter Anderson was the only significant loss to graduation from that lineup, with Mountain Brook returning the deepest junior class in the state, including Mary Katherine Malone, Lucy Benton, Callie Kent, Holland Finch and Anne Lichty, in addition to the support of sophomore Kennedy Hamilton. The Southern Showcase on Sept. 17 will provide the entire Mountain Brook roster an opportunity to compete in Huntsville, but a trip Oct. 8 to race at the Nike Hole in the Wall event in Washington will be incredibly valuable in the Spartans’ preparation to square off against the elite teams from North Carolina at NXR Southeast. 4. Weddington NC. Despite the disappointment of a tough loss to rival Cuthbertson at the North Carolina 4A state final, Weddington still had the final word last year by placing 13th at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, one spot ahead of the Cavaliers. The biggest challenge for the Warriors will be replacing graduates Emma Jones, Alyx Beausoleil and Emma Gandossy from that lineup, but senior Elizabeth Ritter and junior Grace Hanson give Weddington valuable experience in pursuit of the program’s first appearance at Nike Cross Nationals. Seniors Audrey Wright and Paige Starkie will shoulder more expectations this season, but improvements during the spring track season indicate they are capable of handling the challenges. Sadie Marek, another senior, could also develop into an important contributor for Weddington, which also has sophomores Sienna Taylor and Janie Davis demonstrating the potential for breakthrough seasons. Weddington knows what it takes to excel in the spotlight, especially last year with its victory in the Race of Champions at the Great American XC Festival at the WakeMed Soccer Complex, which will provide another big test Oct. 1 for the Warriors. 5. Brentwood TN. The Bruins have demonstrated that when they win one Tennessee state crown, usually another follows, capturing back-to-back Class AAA titles in 2003-04, then winning a Large Class championship in 2020 and adding another AAA victory last season. Brentwood is now seeking a three-peat for the first time in program history, in addition to its pursuit to become the first Tennessee girls team to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals. Although the Bruins placed 28th at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, they did so with multiple underclassmen in the lineup, providing the motivation to reach another level of performance this year. Sophomores Lydia Cromwell and Rachel Haws didn’t back down on the biggest stage last season, leading Brentwood’s performance in Huntsville after contributing to a 75-96 victory over Farragut in the Class AAA state final. Seniors Brooke Tyll and Lola Baker, as well as juniors Peyton Strauss and Annmarie Stallman, plus sophomores Hailey Parker and Scarlett Spender provide the Bruins with several roster options, in addition to the potential for more depth with the contributions of freshmen twin sisters Lauren Banovac and Lia Banovac. Brentwood will learn plenty about its postseason potential during a three-week stretch competing outside Tennessee, including a return trip Sept. 17 to John Hunt Park for the Southern Showcase, followed by Sept. 23 at the Wingfoot Classic and Oct. 1 at the Jesse Owens Classic. WATCHLIST More news |
