Award-winning journalist Marc Bloom has been compiling high school cross-country rankings for more than 20 years. His most recent books are “God on the Starting Line” (Breakaway, 2004) and “Young Runners” (Simon & Schuster/Fireside, 2009).
(Last year’s final ranking in parentheses. nr—not ranked)
See regional rankings further down…
Let me know about any typos or factual errors.
BOYS
1. Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ [5]
Led by rapidly-improving 4:14 miler George Kelly who’s been training like gangbusters, the Colts return 5 varsity runners with a 9:29 3200 average in track from the squad that placed 5that Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) and shattered the all-time team time record on the state meet course at hilly Holmdel Park.
Coach: Tom Heath
2. Carroll HS, Southlake, TX [20]
Led by junior Trevor Gilley, who went from placing 141st at NXN to a brilliant soph mile time of 4:09.37, the Texans return their whole varsity from a regional runner-up team that saw four more tracksters run from 4:20 to 4:25 last spring and are in line to uphold their state and national traditions.
Coach: Justin Leonard
3. Columbus North HS, Columbus, IN [3]
The NXN 3rd-placers return a trio of marquee seniors--Andrew Diehn, Michael Sublette and Chris Kelsey, who ran 9:24, 9:11 and 9:13 last spring after a terrific fall--but will rely on unproven talent to fill out the lineup as the Bulldogs contend for top national honors for the second year in a row.
Coach: Rick Weinheimer
4. Fort Collins HS, Fort Collins, CO [4]
Six of the Lambkins top 7 return for the NXN 4th-placer looking to get on the podium while also facing a tough challenge at home against an on-rushing Mountain Vista team in state 5A.
Coach: Chris Suppes
5. Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA [18]
A senior-heavy team that’s been building for years--led by Jared Jones (9:16), Charlie Marquardt (9:19) and Andrew Bland (9:22)--is poised to defend state Div II with model pack running and contend for national honors despite the graduation of super-star Elias Gedyon.
Coach: Lalo Diaz
6. Davis HS, Kaysville, UT [12]
Another school with a stellar top-3—senior Brad Nye (4:15) and juniors Brayden Cromar (9:25) and Preson Johnson (9:24)—returns from an 11th place at NXN to seek a podium position and take the reigns from American Fork as Utah’s best team.
Coach: Corbin Talley
7. Palos Verdes HS, Palos Verdes Estates, CA [nr]
The state Div III runner-up has 9 sub-10 3200 runners led by 8:58 man Jonah Diaz and will face a major mid-season test with a trip to the Manhattan meet to race Eastern powers at Van Cortlandt Park.
Coach: Brian Shapiro
8. Kamiakin HS, Kennewick, WA [nr]
Anthony Armstrong, 4:10/8:57 track performer, leads a Braves’ team with all 7 runners back from their state 3A 5th-place showing against formidable opposition.
Coach: Robyn Bryson
9. Arcadia HS, Arcadia, CA [1]
While the 2010 NXN and state Div I champion loses its top two harriers, it brings back 4 of the next 5 led by Sergio Gonzalez, who should be a worthy successor to Ammar Moussa in keeping the hard-training squad in the national limelight.
Coach: Jim O’Brien
10. Shaker HS, Latham, NY [14]
With seniors Christian Delgado and Mike Libruk up front (and the addition of an excellent senior runner doing XC for the first time), the Albany area squad returns 4 of 5 from the Eastern States championship team that placed 2nd to Fayetteville in the regional, which it hopes to win this time around.
Coach: Ed Springstead
11. The Woodlands HS, The Woodlands, TX [23]
State 5A winners over Carroll return 4 of their top 6 with a 30-second spread and are paced by junior Brigham Hedges, 4:14/9:17 track performer as a soph.
Coach: Juris Green
12. Palatine HS, Palatine, IL [17]
The 5-time state runner-up may have its best team ever with a solid group of five seniors--led by Anthony Gregorio—as the Pirates attempt to dethrone York and compete for regional supremacy after just missing NXN consideration last fall.
Coach: Chris Quick
13. Mountain Vista HS, Highlands Ranch, CO [nr]
State 5A 3rd-placers return all 7 varsity runners led by 4th-place Stephen Chipman, but the Golden Eagles will have to close a large spread to realize their potential.
Coaches: Jonathan Dalby and Eric Selle
14. North Central HS, Spokane, WA [6]
The 2008 NXN champs, 6th in 2010, return 4 of 7 on a non-senior squad with juniors Keith Williams and Austin Frostad setting the pace as the Indians try to hold off Kamiakin in state 3A.
Coach: Jonathan Knight
15. Fayetteville-Manlius HS, Manlius, NY [2]
With only 3 returnees from the surprise NXN runner-up squad, the Stotans will have to pull another one out of the hat, rallying around Nick Ryan, an improving junior who went from a 5:06 frosh miler to a 9:11 3200 as a soph.
Coach: Bill Aris
16. Cabell Midland HS, Ona, WV [nr]
Jacob Burcham, who set a U.S. soph record 3:46.55 1500 (about a 4:04 mile) taking 7th in the World Youth Games in July--after placing 16th at NXN last December--leads a state power with 4 scorers back and serious intentions in the Southeast.
Coach: Chris Parsons
17. Rush Henrietta HS, Henrietta, NY [nr]
Last year’s solid 3rd place Northeast team with excellent times on the brutal Bowdoin Park course returns 5 of its top 6 with hopes of being a state player against the likes of Shaker andFayetteville.
Coach: Mike DeMay
18. Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, IL [13]
Stanford star Chris Derrick led the Wildcats to the 2007 NXN title with his individual win and now brother Mark (who lost his shoe in the 2010 state meet), along with Taylor Soltys, 15th at state, lead last year’s largely revamped 12th-place NXN squad now counting on J.V. talent moving up.
Coach: Paul Vandersteen
19. Arrowhead HS, Hartland, WI [nr]
The state Div I champions return all 5 scorers led by Russell Sandvold on a squad that should contend for Heartland supremacy.
Coach: Mike Mulrooney
20. Wayzata HS, Plymouth, MN [10]
While losing 4 of its top 5 from last year’s NXN 9th-place team, the defending Heartland champs have top man Josh Thorson back along with a mix of improving talent and J.V. hopefuls counted on to help repel Stillwater in state 2A.
Coach: Bill Miles
21. Brookwood HS, Snellville, GA [nr]
The state 5A champions and Southeast Regional runner-up return one of their deepest line-ups ever, led by Morgan Malanoski, 4th at state, and will face a number of top teams at home including Peachtree Ridge and Walton.
Coach: Ben Dehnke
22. North Allegheny HS, Wexford, PA [nr]
Even with the graduation of state champ Ryan Gil, the 3A titlist could have one of its best line-ups in years with its next 4 harriers back led by Logan Streiner and a shot at making it back to nationals from the Northeast.
Coach: Jim LeDonne
23. Desert Vista HS, Phoenix, AZ [nr]
Wait till next year—the Thunder have 10 sub-10 3200 runners, most of them underclassmen—but a solid pack should emerge this fall in pursuit of a 5th state title and dark horse regional contention in the tough Southwest.
Coach: Chris Hanson
24. Dexter HS, Dexter, MI [nr]
State Div I runner-up looks to return to the winner’s circle with all but one scorer returning and a tight pack led by Taylor Neely that could make noise in the Midwest.
Coach: Dave Testa
25. Bismarck HS, Bismarck, ND [nr]
Jake Leingang, 7th in the nationals’ deuce running 9:04.82 as a soph, leads an all-around team that is looking past an expected 7th straight state class A crown to having an impact in the Heartland.
Coach: Dave Zittleman
Girls
1. Fayetteville-Manlius HS, Manlius, NY [1]
With its top 4 back that placed 1-2-3-8 in NXN team points--including national runner-up Christie Rutledge who trained through the track seasons—the 5-times-in-a-row NXN champions and 2010 record-setters (27 pts) may have their best team yet (if that’s even possible).
Coach: Bill Aris
2. North Shore HS, Glen Head, NY [9]
The state public schools class A winners and NXN 9th-placers return all 5 scorers with over-the-top talent--9:26 3k star Samantha Nadel, World Youth Games steepler Brianna Nerud, 10:10 and 10:13 3k performers Jessica Donohue and Liz Caldwell--to put the Vikings on the short list of national contenders.
Coach: Neal Levy
3. Fort Collins HS, Fort Collins, CO [4]
State 5A runner-up Erin Hooker leads the Southwest champs and NXN 6th-placer which has 6 of 7 back to put the Lambkins in position to get on both the boys and girls podiums at nationals.
Coach Chris Suppes
4. Tatnall School, Wilmington, DE [5]
The small private school returns 5 of 7 from the victorious Southeast team and NXN 5th-placer with Penn Relays 3k champion (9:16.35) Haley Pierce much improved since placing 5th at NXN, and a supporting cast led by juniors Reagan Anderson (4:52.13 mile) and Rebecca Salter (11:16 3200).
Coach: Patrick Castagno
5. Carmel HS, Carmel, IN [7]
The dominant Indiana team and NXN 7th-placer returns 6 of 7 with a 60-second spread for its top 5, and after spring 3200s of 10:50, 11:02, 11:03, 11:07 and 11:35 for the quintet the Greyhounds have even bigger goals but will have to contend with Franklin Central and Columbus North in state.
Coach: Mark Ellington
6. Saratoga Springs HS, Saratoga Springs, NY [2]
The NXN runner-up Kinetic girls have another tight pack in the works but will have to fill spots left by key grads and team leaders to be a podium contender again and keep up with more depth than ever in the take-no-prisoners New York girls’ ranks.
Coaches: Art and Linda Kranick
7. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, CA [nr]
Last year’s hot early-season squad wound up 3rd in state Div II but could now be the state’s best with 5 of 7 back after an excellent spring with times of 4:49 (1600) and 10:47 (3200) for team leaders Lyndsey Mull and Rachel Bush, respectively, and another pair of top-notch Sea Hawks’ runners in the 3-4 positions.
Coach: Bob Leetch
8. Glacier Peak HS, Snohomish, WA [22]
NXN bronze medalist and World Youth Games steepler (for Britain) Amy Eloise-Neale—also one of the nation’s top milers—sets the pace for the state 3A victors and Northwest 3rd-placers who boast their top 4 back with plenty of strong running behind the team super-star.
Coach: Dan Parker
9. Green Hope HS, Cary, NC [11]
Return 6 of 7 harriers after excellent spring from the 10th-place NXN team that has used exemplary pack running to rise to Southeast and national recognition.
Coaches: Mike Miragliulo and Roger Collins
10. Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL [20]
All 7 varsity runners return for a South squad that placed 3rd at state and regionals against deep opposition, and after an excellent track season including a state runner-up 4 x 800, the Tigers look to improve upon their NXN at-large selection and 18th at Portland.
Coach: Rob Harvey
11. La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, CA [17]
Led by 4:48.20 1600 performer Kelly Lawson (4th in state XC), and 10:27.73 3200 runner Shanoah Souza (13th in state XC), the Calif. Div I runner-up Mavericks return 4 girls who ran from 17:30 to 18:22 on the Woodward Park 5k state meet course, and if they can find a solid 5th scorer, they’ll be in position to rule the state and beyond.
Coach: Bill Vice
12. Xavier College Prep, Phoenix, AZ [21]
Favored to win its 5th straight state Div I crown, the all-girls Catholic school, 3rd in the Southwest Regional by 6 points last year, has one of its best teams ever with state champ Sarah Fakler (4:54/10:35) setting the pace and bolstered by the 3-4 placers in the state 3200.
Coaches: Dave Van Sickle and Jeff Messer
13. Voorhees HS, Glen Gardner, NJ [24]
The defending Northeast champions return their top 6 girls from a mostly soph squad in 2010 and will be gunning to out-run conference rival Hillsborough, the state defender, and regain the Meet of Champions title while again leading the region.
Coach: Justina Cassavell
14. Dowling Catholic HS, West Des Moines, IA [19]
The 4A state champs that took 2nd in the Heartland en route to 17th at NXN return 6 of 7 led by state 3k winner Allie Vaughn while adding a runner injured last fall to rank as the regional favorite and potential top-10 national power.
Coach: James Kirby
15. Great Oak HS, Temecula, CA [14]
While the state Div I titlist and NXN 13th-placer loses its top three runners, the Wolfpack have reloaded with developing talent and incoming frosh (led by Maiya Larsen) and will get a major mid-season test when they travel to the inter-state Great American festival in North Carolina in October.
Coach: Doug Soles
16. Palatine HS, Palatine, IL [8]
The Midwest Regional winner and NXN 8th-placer loses its top two runners but with excellent depth the Lady Pirates should return to state and regional contention led by junior Tess Wasowicz and will face early-season tests in loaded invitationals.
Coach: Joe Parks
17. Carroll HS, Southlake, TX [nr]
The South Regional winners return all 7 girls that have demonstrated outstanding pack running after a track season that saw each run in the mid-11s for 3200 and will be looking to regain the state 5A crown as well as make it back to NXN.
Coach: Justin Leonard
18. Pennsbury HS, Fairless Hills, PA [nr]
The state 3A champion Falcons return their top 3 girls and 5 of 7 led by all-American Sara Sargent and will face another good Henderson team in state while looking beyond to regional contention.
Coach: Tim Cass
19. Ogden HS, Ogden, UT [nr]
The state 4A champs and Southwest 4th-placer returns all 5 scorers, including 3 placing in the top 20 at regionals, and will count on state runner-up Sarah Feeney, a soph, to lead the squad, Utah’s best.
Coach: Don Hall
20. Kingwood HS, Kingwood, TX [nr]
All 7 girls return from the state 5A championship team, setting up a duel with Carroll for top honors as the Mustangs, led by seniors Catie Daigre and Ashley Mills, and improving junior Sandie Raines, try to rise from 3rd in the region to an NXN auto birth.
Coach: Christie Simpson
21. Bozeman HS, Bozeman, MT [12]
The perennial state power loses 2 top scorers while returning the rest of its varsity from the Northwest runner-up squad, and with J.V. girls already moving up well the Hawks will pursue another NXN appearance in what promises to be a tight regional.
Coach: Clint May
22. Mountain View HS, Meridian, ID [nr]
The state 5A champs return their top 5 girls led by runner-up Sam McKinnon, also 2nd in the state 3200, as they attempt to rise from 4th in the Northwest to regional prominence, but first the Mavericks have to get by Boise at home.
Coach: Tracy Harris
23. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake HS, Burnt Hills, NY [nr]
With 6 of 7 girls returning from its 5th-place NY Regional team, the Spartans will try to keep up with North Shore in state public schools B (state divisions have been re-aligned eliminating 2A) while looking for NXN at-large recognition against a host of national powers.
Coach: Shaun Zepf
24. Summit HS, Bend, OR [nr]
With 5 of its top 6 back led by state winner Megan Fristoe, and improving Ashley Maton, the state 5A champion Storm look to supplant re-building Jesuit of Portland as the state’s top team while being a strong contender in the Northwest.
Coach: Dave Clark
25. Champlain Valley HS, Hinesburg, VT [25]
Something of a Cinderella team when taking the 2nd NXN auto berth in the Northeast last year, the state Div I champion Redhawks return 6 of their top 7 while nurturing young talent in a squad that could go 10 deep in strength by season’s end.
Coach: Scott Bliss
Boys Regional Rankings Based on Super 25
New York
1.Shaker
2.Fayetteville-Manlius
3.Rush-Henrietta
Northeast
1.Christian Brothers (NJ)
2.North Allegheny (PA)
South
1.Southlake Carroll (TX)
2.The Woodlands (TX)
Southeast
1.Cabell Midland (WV)
2.Brookwood (GA)
Midwest
1.Columbus North (IN)
2.Palatine (IL)
3.Neuqua Valley (IL)
4.Dexter (MI)
Heartland
1.Arrowhead (WI)
2.Wayzata (MN)
3.Bismarck (ND)
Southwest
1.Fort Collins (CO)
2.Davis (UT)
3.Mountain Vista (CO)
4.Desert Vista (AZ)
Northwest
1.Kamiakin (WA)
2.North Central (WA)
California
1.Loyola
2.Palos Verdes
3.Arcadia
Girls Regional Rankings Based on Super 25
New York
1.Fayetteville-Manlius
2.North Shore
3.Saratoga Springs
4.Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Northeast
1.Voorhees (NJ)
2.Pennsbury (PA)
3.Champlain Valley (VT)
South
1.Southlake Carroll (TX)
2.Kingwood (TX)
Southeast
1.Tatnall (DE)
2.Green Hope (NC)
Midwest
1.Carmel (IN)
2.Wheaton Warrenville South (IL)
3.Palatine (IL)
Heartland
1.Dowling Catholic (IA)
Southwest
1.Fort Collins (CO)
2.Xavier (AZ)
3.Ogden (UT)
Northwest
1.Glacier Peak (WA)
2.Bozeman (MT)
3.Mountain View (ID)
4.Summit (OR)
California
1.Redondo Union
2.La Costa Canyon
3.Great Oak
Rankings will be updated periodically during the fall season.