NXN-Southwest Pre-Season Regional Outlook

Boys Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 157 Davis UT (#3), 257 American Fork UT (#6)
2010: 171 Fort Collins CO (#4), 195 American Fork UT (#8)
2009: 236 Albuquerque Academy NM (#5), 247 American Fork UT (#8)
2008: 281 Albuquerque Academy NM (#11), 435 Alta UT (#20)
2007: 127 Los Alamos NM (#2), 134 Albuquerque Academy NM (#3)

At-Large Teams:

2010: 300 Davis UT (#11)

2012 Boys Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Davis UT – 2011 NXN Nationals third place, NXN-Southwest Runner-up and Utah 5A State Runner-up returns five of seven

2. American Fork UT – 2011 NXN Nationals sixth place squad, NXN-Southwest Champion and Utah 5A State Champion returns four of seven

3. Herriman UT – 2011 NXN-Southwest tenth place and Utah 4A State fifth place squad returns all seven

4. Sue Cleveland NM – 2011 NXN-Southwest fifth place and New Mexico 5A State Champion returns five of seven

5. Mountain View UT – 2011 NXN-Southwest sixth place and Utah 4A State Champion returns five of seven

Honorable Mention:  Bingham UT, Bonneville UT, Desert Vista AZ, Fairview CO, Los Alamos NM, Mountain Vista CO, Ogden UT

 

Synopsis: The battle between Utah superpowers should be repeated for another year as both Davis and American Fork appear to be among the favorites not only in the Southwest, but the entire nation as well. Five teams look primed to challenge for the #3 spot in the region, with Mountain Vista and Ogden joining the teams ranked above. Herriman might be the potentially best team, but also appeared to be the most inconsistent; Cleveland has the strongest frontrunner, but the biggest question at the #5 spot; Mountain View, a program with strong tradition, might be the best through three but has questions at #4 and 5; Mountain Vista has a strong quartet but questions at #5; Ogden seems like the jack of trades with a potentially good 1-2 punch and a pretty fair #3-5 pack, but doesn’t quite stand out above the others in either case (nor do they seem to be in trouble in either case, however). The struggle for third should be one to watch, as all of the teams have the potential to be good beyond the regional level.

 

 

 

Girls Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 205 Fort Collins CO (#6), 224 Xavier College Prep AZ (#8)
2010: 247 Fort Collins CO (#6), 353 Monarch CO (#15)
2009: 161 Fort Collins CO (#3), 291 The Classical Academy CO (#9)
2008: 218 Fort Collins CO (#7), 293 The Classical Academy CO (#12)
2007: 241 Fort Collins CO (#7), 281 Davis UT (#9)

At-Large Teams:

(None)

 2012 Girls Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Fort Collins CO – 2011 NXN Nationals sixth place squad, NXN-Southwest Champion and Colorado 5A State Runner-up returns all seven

2. Xavier College Prep AZ – 2011 NXN Nationals eighth place, NXN-Southwest Runner-up and Arizona Division 1 State Champion returns five of seven

3. Davis UT – 2011 NXN-Southwest sixth place squad and Utah 5A State Champion returns their front six

4. Ogden UT – 2011 NXN-Southwest fifth place squad and Utah 3A State third place squad returns six of seven

5. Monarch CO – 2011 NXN-Southwest third place and Colorado 5A State Champion returns all seven

Honorable Mention:  Arapahoe CO, Desert Vista AZ, Los Alamos NM, Mountain Crest UT, Mountain Vista CO, Park City UT, Skyline UT

 

Synopsis: The Southwest looks like it will certainly continue to be one of the strongest regions in the nation for girls cross country as nearly all of the top teams from last year return almost entirely intact for another round of excellence. From the regional championship last year, a total of six seniors were on the varsity squads of the top eight teams – four of which were scorers, and two of which were from the same team (The Classical Academy), meaning that the region that sent two top-10 teams (with multiple other teams close behind) could very well could be FAR stronger this year. If you never noticed the Southwestern teams’ prowess before, despite their constant success at the national level… this year, you might not be able to ignore it. The region is very strong, and very deep, and between Xavier Prep and the juggernauts from Utah and Colorado should make for an incredible regional showdown this November.

NXN-Heartland Pre-Season Regional Outlook

Boys Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 261 Arrowhead WI (#8), 296 Stillwater MN (#10)
2010: 266 Wayzata MN (#9), 396 Edina MN (#18)
2009: 297 Eden Prairie MN (#14), 312 Wayzata MN (#16)
2008: 307 Bismarck ND (#14), 341 Wayzata MN (#18)
2007: 403 Wayzata MN (#20), 414 Shawnee Mission NW KS (#21)

At-Large Teams:

(None)

2012 Boys Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Bismarck ND – 2011 NXN-Heartland third place squad and North Dakota A State Champion returns five of seven

2. Stillwater MN – 2011 NXN Nationals tenth place squad, NXN-Heartland and Minnesota 2A State Champion returns four of seven

3. Dowling Catholic IA – 2011 NXN-Heartland fifth place squad and Iowa 4A State Champion returns five of seven

4. Wayzata MN – 2011 NXN-Heartland eighth place squad returns five of seven

5. Edina MN – 2011 NXN-Heartland sixth place and Minnesota 2A State third place squad returns four of seven

Honorable Mention:  Arrowhead WI, Eden Prairie MN, Fremont NE, La Crosse Logan WI, Owatonna MN, Perham MN, Shawnee Mission NW KS, Stevens Point WI

 

Synopsis: The Heartland has never secured an at-large invite for their boys, but that might change this year as three strong teams battle it out for trips to Portland this fall. Bismarck dominated their state last year and looked pretty strong at the regional meet – some might say almost good enough to warrant consideration for an at-large invite – and bring back most of that group for another attempt. Stillwater won the NXN Regional last fall and finished tenth in the nation, but will need to develop a strong fifth to make the next step towards being a potential US Top-5 type of squad. Dowling Catholic graduated their front runner, Cole Decker, but return two others who finished in the top 55 overall at NXN-Heartland last year and three others who finished in the top 110 and had three runners under 9:30 plus another at 4:25 this spring.

 

 

 

Girls Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 367 Neenah WI (#14), 480 Monticello MN (#20)
2010: 315 Eden Prairie MN (#12), 385 Dowling Catholic IA (#17)
2009: 326 Dowling Catholic IA (#12), 418 Elk River MN (#20)
2008: 261 Eden Prairie MN (#10), 438 Sioux Falls Roosevelt SD (#19)
2007: 318 Dowling Catholic IA (#14), 324 Yankton SD (#16)

At-Large Teams:

(None)

 2012 Girls Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Dowling Catholic IA – 2011 NXN-Heartland third place squad and Iowa 4A State Champion returns four of seven

2. Neenah WI – 2011 NXN Nationals 14^th place squad, NXN-Heartland Runner-up and Wisconsin Division 1 State Runner-up returns six of seven

3. Lakeville South MN – 2011 NXN-Heartland seventh place squad and Minnesota 2A State Runner-up returns six of seven

4. Wayzata MN – 2011 NXN-Heartland 11^th place and Minnesota 2A State third place squad returns all seven

5. Shakopee MN – 2011 NXN-Heartland eighth place and Minnesota 2A State fourth place squad returns six of seven

Honorable Mention:  Arrowhead WI, Bismarck ND, East Ridge MN, Eden Prairie MN, Iowa City West IA, Pleasant Valley IA, Roseville MN

 

Synopsis: An interesting trend in NTN/NXN history, an Iowa team has represented the Heartland every two years only to miss out on the third. In 2004, the inaugural year of NTN, Iowa City West finished tenth place. No team qualified in 2005, but in 2006, it was Iowa City High who was invited to participate. The rest of the history can be seen above: Dowling Catholic qualified in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Last year, no Iowa team qualified. If the pattern holds true, Dowling Catholic, the reigning champion of Iowa, should be in good position to return to Portland this December, and that shouldn’t hold any surprise as the third place team from last year was the deepest squad in the region and in addition to returning four scorers they add in a girl who ran the 3k in 10:31 this spring. Among the other teams, the Heartland’s top finishing squad in Portland last year, Neenah, should be back for more as they also return four scorers from last year’s team and also bring back Jessica Laabs, a runner who didn’t compete in the NXN races last year but ran under 16 for 4k at the Wisconsin state meet and ran 5:20 in track this spring. Expect Arrowhead, the defending Wisconsin Division 1 State Champions, and Pleasant Valley IA to challenge the above-listed Minnesota powers for top five finishes this November.

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!

NXN-South Pre-Season Regional Outlook

Boys Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 95 Southlake Carroll TX (#2), 430 The Woodlands TX (#21)
2010: 267 Lewisville Marcus TX (#10), 373 Southlake Carroll TX (#17)
2009: 195 Boerne Champion TX (#1), 207 The Woodlands TX (#3)
2008: 197 The Woodlands TX (#4), 223 Cedar Park TX (#8)
2007: 197 The Woodlands TX (#4), 338 Southlake Carroll TX (#15)

At-Large Teams:

2010: 407 The Woodlands TX (#20)
2009: 289 Cedar Park TX (#11)
2007: 360 Rogers AR (#16)

2012 Boys Pre-Season Rankings:

1. Southlake Carroll TX – 2011 NXN Nationals Runner-up, NXN-South Champion and Texas 5A State Champion returns four of seven

2. The Woodlands TX – 2011 NXN Nationals 21^st place squad, NXN-South Runner-up and Texas 5A State fifth place squad returns three of seven

3. Houston Strake Jesuit TX – 2011 NXN-South tenth place and Texas 5A State Runner-up squad returns five of seven

4. Cedar Park TX – 2011 NXN-South fourth place and Texas 4A State Runner-up returns four of seven

5. The Woodlands College Park TX – 2011 NXN-South fifth place and Texas 5A State third place squad returns four of seven

Honorable Mention:  Bentonville AR, El Paso Eastwood TX, Humble Kingwood TX, Lewisville Hebron TX

 

Synopsis: As usual, the traditional powers of The Woodlands and Southlake Carroll sit atop the rankings as potential US Top-10 type teams (and Southlake Carroll as a potential national champion). Chasing those two programs is another pair of recently strong programs in Strake Jesuit (5A state runner-up last year), Cedar Park (4A state runner up last year), and College Park (5A state third place last year). Cedar Park recently qualified for back-to-back trips to Portland, finishing eighth in 2008 and 11^th in 2009.

 

 

Girls Region History at NXN (2007-2011) –

Auto-Qualifiers:

2011: 207 Southlake Carroll TX (#7), 399 Humble Kingwood TX (#17)
2010: 439 The Woodlands TX (#19), 489 Southlake Carroll TX (#22)
2009: 362 Humble Kingwood TX (#16), 467 Southlake Carroll TX (#22)
2008: 301 The Woodlands TX (#13), 454 Cinco Ranch TX (#20)
2007: 344 Southlake Carroll TX (#18), 585 Keller TX (#22)

At-Large Teams:

2008: 421 Vista Ridge TX (#18), 495 Kingwood Park TX (#22)

 2012 Girls Pre-Season Rankings:

1. The Woodlands TX – 2011 NXN-South fourth place and Texas 5A State sixth place squad returns six of seven

2. Southlake Carroll TX – 2011 NXN Nationals seventh place squad, NXN-South Champion and Texas 5A State Champion returns two of seven

3. Lewisville Flower Mound TX – 2011 NXN-South fifth place and Texas 5A State third place squad returns all seven

4. Dallas Highland Park TX – 2011 Texas 4A State Champion returns all seven

5. The Woodlands College Park TX – 2011 NXN-South third place and Texas 5A State fourth place squad returns five of seven

Honorable Mention:  Canyon TX, Cedar Park TX, Houston Cy-Fair TX, Humble Kingwood TX, Justin Northwest TX, Katy TX, Klein TX, Lewisville Hebron TX, Lewisville Marcus TX

 

Synopsis: After a strong spring, The Woodlands looks like they might be the team to beat for the South title, but three-time defending champion Southlake Carroll has been in this situation before and come out on top regardless. Behind those two, Flower Mound and Highland Park both appear to be national quality teams, with College Park nearly there as well. On paper, this looks to be a stronger and deeper field than in the past several years and fortuitously coincides with Texas’ switch from 3200m races to 5000m races in cross country for its 4A and 5A classifications (which includes all of the teams in the pre-season regional rankings). A sincere thank you to the folks in Texas for making that change happen! It is great to see such a strong and important state match the national standard, both as a fan of the sport and an individual that attempts to make sense of it all in the form of rankings.