26. Southern Alamance
If this was a competition for "most underrated program" then Southern Alamance would be a contender for the crown. This is the team that produced star runners like Brandon Cain and Collin Loy, but ironically this year's team is not predicated on front-running firepower. Sure, Teddy Frisk is on pace to be the team's latest sub-16 runner after a solid track season, but it's the 34-second gap between this squad's 2nd and 5th runners that makes it formidable. As strong as they are through 5 runners, though, the Patriots need to develop depth behind them - one injury to the current top 5 could cripple their season if they don't.
- Returning Ranking: 20th
- 3-Year Improvement Rating: 28th
- 5-Year Improvement Rating: 20th
| 1) Teddy Frisk | 16:14.09 | 39 | ||
| 2) Payton Goodwin | 17:02.22 | 184 | ||
| 3) Manuel Pitman | 17:05.30 | 201 | ||
| 4) Tristen Isley | 17:19.97 | 252 | ||
| 5) Spencer Loy | 17:36.00 | 332 | ||
| Average Time: 17:03.52 Total Time: 1:25:17.58 1-5 Split: 1:21.91 | ||||
| 6) Blake Ursery | 18:30.69 | 612 | ||
| 7) Adrian Walker | 19:28.30 | 883 | ||
27. South Mecklenburg
As is the case with a handful of girls' teams, South Meck put a big emphasis on the 800 this spring, and it leaves them without any bonuses in these rankings. Still, Haywood Ferguson is a star in the making - #2 among the state's freshmen in the 1600 this spring - and there is solid returning depth. Furthermore, the Sabres have 3 rising seniors in their returning top 5, and that leadership should be critical to the team's success. This is a program that has had stable coaching for several years now, and it won't be a surprise to see them moving steadily up the rankings.
- Returning Ranking: 25th
- 3-Year Improvement Rating: 34th
- 5-Year Improvement Rating: 38th
| 1) Haywood Ferguson | 16:15.00 | 42 | ||
| 2) Ryan Kavanaugh | 16:43.00 | 99 | ||
| 3) Henry Crew | 17:17.00 | 239 | ||
| 4) Raymond Morrison | 17:30.00 | 312 | ||
| 5) Jackson Gosnell | 17:49.00 | 406 | ||
| Average Time: 17:06.80 Total Time: 1:25:34.00 1-5 Split: 1:34.00 | ||||
| 6) Pablo Reynoso | 18:08.00 | 498 | ||
| 7) Reid Holbert | 18:33.00 | 622 | ||
28. Pinecrest
Although the returning talent doesn't look like it's quite up to the usual level, the Patriots simply have too good a program to keep them out of the top 30. Progress has already been made based on a solid group of returning milers, especially returning #2 Tommy Delauney (who ran 9:58 this spring). Expect Pinecrest to have a strong summer, especially because this squad also has senior leadership to go with a strong culture: four of the top 7 are in the class of 2016, including the team's top 3 returners.
- Returning Ranking: 34th
- 3-Year Improvement Rating: 11th
- 5-Year Improvement Rating: 13th
- 1600 Team Ranking: 23rd
| 1) Neil Clark | 16:17.00 | 46 | ||
| 2) Tommy Delaunay | 16:29.00 | 69 | ||
| 3) Adam Horsley | 17:00.00 | 170 | ||
| 4) Isaiah McGilvary | 18:08.58 | 500 | ||
| 5) Colin Alexander | 18:18.00 | 545 | ||
| Average Time: 17:14.52 Total Time: 1:26:12.58 1-5 Split: 2:01.00 | ||||
| 6) Nick Manning | 18:35.00 | 637 | ||
| 7) Joe Mueller | 18:37.00 | 649 | ||
29. Walkertown
It's a perfect example of the perils and frustrations of being a small school: Walkertown returns 5 sub-17:45 runners, better than some of the teams ranked ahead of them. However, the Wolfpack only returns those 5 runners, which is downright scary; those same 5 guys ran very well this spring, but unless some depth is cultivated there is no room for injury. This is a hard team to predict, having been around for only 3 years - the Improvement Rating hasn't even begun to get a handle on how this program does from year to year.
- Returning Ranking: 30th
- 3-Year Improvement Rating: 36th
- 5-Year Improvement Rating: n/a
- 3200 Team Ranking: 22nd
Returning Top 7:
| 1) Matthew Rogers | 16:15.60 | 43 | ||
| 2) Daniel Parmesano | 17:02.43 | 185 | ||
| 3) Logan Carter | 17:26.20 | 294 | ||
| 4) Blake Freeman | 17:43.37 | 372 | ||
| 5) Donwill Jamison | 17:44.00 | 377 | ||
| Average Time: 17:14.32 Total Time: 1:26:11.60 1-5 Split: 1:28.40 | ||||
30. Marvin Ridge
What do I like best about the 2015 Mavericks? Their youth - the only two seniors in the returning top 7 are their #4 and #5 runners, and they discovered some more young potential top-5 runners during the spring season. Also, the Marvin Ridge boys' program has underperformed slightly the last few years compared to its long-term record (and compared to the girls' program, which shares the same coaching staff). With the combination of a strong junior class, an infusion of young talent, and a return to previous improvement levels, expect the Mavericks to get crack the top 30 this season.
- Returning Ranking: 30th
- 3-Year Improvement Rating: 42nd
- 5-Year Improvement Rating: 30th
Returning Top 7:
| 1) Jacob Lipsey | 16:41.00 | 94 | ||
| 2) Mack Despard | 16:58.00 | 161 | ||
| 3) Mason Bhatia | 17:24.30 | 280 | ||
| 4) Roark Habegger | 17:26.10 | 293 | ||
| 5) Taivion Taylor | 17:42.50 | 368 | ||
| Average Time: 17:14.38 Total Time: 1:26:11.90 1-5 Split: 1:01.50 | ||||
| 6) Joe Hussey | 18:00.00 | 465 | ||
| 7) Thomas Mcmillan | 18:22.40 | 570 | ||