Girls XC Preseason Rankings: #15

<p> <span style="font-size:14px;">NCRunners is counting down the top 25 girls 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>

Anna Vess and her teammates took a big step forward during the spring, and that experience could pay off in a crowded 3A field.

 

	A.C. Reynolds (NC)
	1) Anna Vess		18:14.37	12
	2) Kenzie Himelein-Wachowiak		19:16.16	63
	3) Samantha Boeshore		20:01.40	142
	4) Lana Reeves		20:46.16	280
	5) Christen Ray		21:14.16	362
	Average Time: 19:54.45 Total Time: 1:39:32.25 1-5 Split: 2:59.79
	6) Olivia Pistor		22:04.33	525
	7) Sophie Pruett		22:05.80	532

NCRunners is projecting A.C. Reynolds as one of the most improved girls' teams in the state next year, and even this spot might be too low based on the potential shown by the Rockets during the spring.  Anna Vess became a legitimate star by winning the 3A 1600 title and anchoring her team to the 4x800 championship to cap a huge track season; only the long recovery from a serious injury to Emma Himelein-Wachowiak kept this team from scoring in the top 3 in the state in team 1600 rankings.  If Emma can recover enough to bolster the top 5 (she didn't run cross country at all in 2013, but clocked 18:56 in 2012), then this could very well be a top-10 team in the final All-Classes rankings this fall.  Coach David Honea, who was one of the architects of the strong Watauga teams of the 2000's, will make sure the summer training is on point.  With three seniors in the top 6 to provide leadership, this is the year for A.C. Reynolds to contend for a 3A cross country title.  The database projects the Rockets as the 6th-best returning team, but when you factor in the track improvement this team is in range of the top 3.  This team finished 4th last year, so they will be hungry for improvement, and a reapeat 3A West title won't be enough for this group.

Important Data:

• 2013 XC Returning Ranking: 21st

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 5th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 8th

• 5-Year Improvement Rating: 7.164 (19th)

• 3-Year Improvement Rating: 4.539 (26th)