Boys XC Preseason Rankings: #22

<p> <span style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px;">NCRunners is counting down the top 25 boys teams heading into the fall season. &nbsp;The full rankings will be released on the first day of official practice: Friday, August 1st. &nbsp;These are subjective rankings (not computer generated); they take into account returning team rankings, returning team averages, team rankings in the 1600 and 3200 from indoor and outdoor track, and a school&#39;s &quot;Improvement Rating.&quot; &nbsp;Improvement Rating is a custom metric developed by researching the improvement in a team&#39;s 5-person average from year to year, in comparison to that same team&#39;s ranking. &nbsp;Improvement Rating numbers and methodology will be released on the weekend of August 2nd.</span></p>

The 4A Midwest regional has been a frustrating end to the season for West Forsyth the last two years, but the potential is there to get out in 2014.

 

	West Forsyth (NC)
	1) Nelson Russ		15:58.31	27
	2) Blake Koeval		17:03.72	185
	3) Vernon Espinoza		17:22.00	272
	4) Bennett Gould		17:23.37	280
	5) Jp Spaventa		17:32.00	317
	Average Time: 17:03.88 Total Time: 1:25:19.40 1-5 Split: 1:33.69
	6) Arinton Davis		17:36.00	335
	7) Jacob Stroud		18:25.52	636

Results have been mixed over the last three years for the Titans.  On the one hand, they seem to make significant progress from year to year (ranking 15th in the Improvement Rating over that time).  On the other hand, they haven't been able to translate that into strong postseason results - the last West Forsyth appearance in the state meet was in 2011, which resulted in a 13th-place finish.  The Midwest 4A has gotten tougher in the most recent realignment with the PAC-6 teams moving in, and the 2014 edition of the Titan boys team is projected to finish 5th there.  That would continue the streak of frustrating season ends, although 4th place is definitely within reach (as it is for at least three other teams, making this one of the most competitive regionals, at least in projection.  The loss of Garrett Farrimond doesn't help, either, although Nelson Russ is a solid #1 runner.  West Forsyth will need its 2-6 pack to all run under 17 to have the best possible chance to get back to states.  There is reason for optimism, as the returning runners had a solid school year all the way through, including some good team results in the spring.

Important Data:

• 2013 XC Returning Team Ranking: 24th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 21st

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 20th

• 5-Year Improvement Rating: 4.549 (23rd)

• 3-Year Improvement Rating: 7.038 (15th)