Girls XC Preseason Rankings: #3

<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>

Megan Vaughn's 6th-place finish in 2013 was a harbinger of an amazing spring, and she will be key to the Crusaders this fall.

 

	Cardinal Gibbons (NC)
	1) Sophie Ebihara		17:58.90	8
	2) Megan Vaughn		18:46.18	31
	3) Amanda Wiggenhorn		19:19.34	68
	4) Laura Hart		19:58.34	134
	5) Annie Pierce		19:59.00	136
	Average Time: 19:12.35 Total Time: 1:36:01.76 1-5 Split: 2:00.10
	6) Abby Doyle		20:34.70	238
	7) Nicole Davis		20:36.10	246

Two things will allow Cardinal Gibbons to overcome the loss of Mary Catherine Doggett and Rachel Bartolomeo: the stunning rise of Megan Vaughn, and the arrival of Marissa Bishop.  Vaughn, who ran 18:46 last fall, clocked 5:03 for the 1600 in the spring, which indicates the potential for her to threaten the 18-minute mark.  Bishop posted a 5K best of 19:16 running for Cary Christian last fall, putting her right in the returning top 4 for the Crusaders.  This team also has other factors in its favor: one of the best Improvement Ratings in the state (indicating consistently excellent year-to-year progression), strong track results, and solid depth.  The addition of Bishop gives Cardinal Gibbons six sub-20 returners, something only two other teams in North Carolina can say.  Put it this way: any team that wants to prevent a 5th straight 3A championship for the Crusaders will need to have a very special season, indeed.

Important Data:

• 2013 XC Returning Ranking: 6th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 2nd

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 5th

• 5-Year Improvement Plan: 19.817 (2nd)

• 3-Year Improvement Plan: 16.366 (3rd)