NXN-Midwest Pre-Season Regional Outlook

Boys Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 268 Columbus North IN (#9), 318 York IL (#12)
2010: 165 Columbus North IN (#3), 326 York IL (#14)
2009: 292 Neuqua Valley IL (#12), 295 York IL (#13)
2008: 151 York IL (#2), 195 Naperville North IL (#3)
2007: 125 Neuqua Valley IL (#1), 267 York IL (#9)

At-Large Teams:

2011: 255 Palatine IL (#5)
2010: 320 Neuqua Valley IL (#12)
2009: 208 Loyola Academy IL (#4)
2007: 296 Medina OH (#12)

2012 Boys Pre-Season Rankings:

1. York IL – 2011 NXN Nationals 13^th place, NXN-Midwest Runner-up and Illinois 3A State fourth place squad returns five of seven

2. Carmel IN – 2011 Indiana State third place squad returns their entire top five

3. Waterford Mott MI – 2011 Michigan Division 1 State third place squad returns five of seven

4. Highland Milford MI – 2011 Michigan Division 1 State Champion returns four of seven

5. Belvidere North IL – 2011 NXN-Midwest ninth place squad and Illinois 2A State Champion returns four of seven

Honorable Mention: Columbus North IN, Jones Prep IL, Lawrence Central IN, Naperville North IL, O’Fallon IL, Prospect IL, Valparaiso IN, Warsaw Community IN

 

Synopsis: The juggernaut that is York returns to the top in the pre-season rankings as they return an incredibly deep squad and hope to challenge for their first podium finish in Portland since 2008. Carmel, one of Indiana’s powerhouse programs, welcomes back all of their scorers and have a good shot at punching their first ticket to Portland this year. Two Michigan teams check in next with solid cores coming back from last year’s cross country squad plus some improving talent during track season. Other teams to watch include the defending Illinois 2A State Champions, Belvidere North; the Illinois 3A State Runner-up squad, O’Fallon; defending Indiana State Champion, Columbus North; and fast-rising Indiana powers Lawrence Central and Valparaiso. The Midwest has often been one of the deepest and strongest regions in the nation for boys cross country, and this year looks to be no different.

 

 

 

Girls Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 182 New Trier IL (#4), 195 Carmel IN (#5)
2010: 260 Carmel IN (#7), 262 Palatine IL (#8)
2009: 195 Magnificat OH (#5), 407 Palatine IL (#19)
2008: 359 Magnificat OH (#16), 378 Geneva IL (#17)
2007: 322 Westfield IN (#15), 413 Lake Central IN (#21)

At-Large Teams:

2010: 399 Wheaton-Warrenville South IL (#18)

2012 Girls Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Carmel IN – 2011 NXN Nationals fifth place squad, NXN-Midwest and Indiana State Champion returns four of seven

2. New Trier IL – 2011 NXN Nationals fourth place squad, NXN-Midwest Runner-up and Illinois 3A State Champion returns five of seven

3. Grosse Pointe South MI – 2011 Michigan Division 1 State Champion returns six of seven

4. Saline MI – 2011 Michigan Division 1 State Runner-up returns five of seven

5. Naperville North IL – 2011 NXN-Midwest ninth place and Illinois 3A State third place squad returns four of seven

Honorable Mention: Beavercreek OH, Birmingham Seaholm MI, Glenbard West IL, Lake Park IL, Lee’s Summit West MO, Prospect IL, St. Teresa IL, Wheaton-Warrenville South IL

 

Synopsis: Midwest teams look to make it three years in a row where all participants are competitive for top-5 finishes in Portland, with the same two teams that qualified last year leading the way once again. Carmel graduates almost half of their varsity, but the tremendous depth of last year (easily one of the strongest JV squads in the nation) ensures they will be just as good this year. New Trier, who edged Carmel at nationals last December, returns five of their top six and could certainly be improved as well. Two more Michigan teams check into the top five, as last year’s epic battle between Grosse Pointe South and Saline should continue into this year with both teams returning most of their firepower and both had strong track seasons to boot. It’s a shame Michigan teams don’t compete at NXN, because Grosse Pointe South seems like a US Top-10, possibly even Top-5 team if they develop a stronger fifth. Naperville North, Prospect, Lake Park, Wheaton-Warrenville South and Birmingham Seaholm are the next best teams. The region looks almost as deep on the girls side as it does on the boys side this year!