There are no two ways about it: this is shaping up to be an incredible year for girls' distance running in North Carolina! Depth has improved tremendously for the past few years, and the state boasts several nationally-competitive teams and individuals. We might see three or four of the best cross country teams ever this year, and the battle for state supremacy will be hard fought. It's going to be a great season as we watch these stories unfold!
This is one man's opinion on the top 25 teams in the state coming into the season. One new team will be revealed every day until July 30th, the official first day of practice for NCHSAA schools. Beneath each team is their top 7 returners, based on last year's results.
For a discussion on the methodology behind these rankings, check out the NCRunners Facebook page.
Subscribers can view a statistical ranking of cross country teams (based only on returning PR's).
1. Green Hope: Some teams on the rankings have been questioned for the lack of a front-runner; the Falcons have five of them! With the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th-fastest returners in the entire state and a stunning 15 second split between their top 5 runners, this team can run with nearly anyone in the country (more on that here). Their front four are essentially interchangeable, and they are the only team in the state to return seven legitimate sub-20 runners. Their track times fall right in line with the dynamic of this team: strong and deep. The one chink in their armor might be Alexander, who hasn't raced since October, but with Emily Boesch going 11:42 after a 21-minute 5K in cross country it looks like there will be no shortage of fill-in candidates if needed. This team will be extremely hard to beat, even for schools that might be #2 and #3 in state history by the time it's all said and done.
| 1) Erica Amatori | 18:26.57 | ||
| 2) Maura McDonnell | 18:28.86 | ||
| 3) Jessica Rossabi | 18:31.62 | ||
| 4) Lauren Colberg | 18:34.05 | ||
| 5) Sarah Alexander | 18:41.62 | ||
| Average Time: 18:32.54 -- Total Time: 1:32:42.72 -- 1-5 Split: 15.05 | |||
| 6) Shewit Weldense | 19:21.71 | ||
| 7) Charlotte Brown | 19:43.22 | ||
2. Watauga: You want concrete evidence of how much girls' distance running has improved in North Carolina? Check out this squad's returning times, and then consider that there are two teams ranked ahead of them! Powerful up front, the Pioneers need to develop at the 5-7 spots to have a chance to knock off the defending champs. The return of Doria Kosmala (20:04 two years ago) could be a key, along with the strong track season produced by Roberts and many other returners. This team is one strong summer away, and I know there is a sense of urgency: three seniors in the top 5 means they want to win this year.
| 1) Darby Middlebrook | 17:47.00 | ||
| 2) Hannah Barbour | 18:37.00 | ||
| 3) Madison Harman | 18:47.00 | ||
| 4) Hailey Middlebrook | 19:23.00 | ||
| 5) Julia Roberts | 20:04.43 | ||
| Average Time: 18:55.69 -- Total Time: 1:34:38.43 -- 1-5 Split: 2:17.43 | |||
| 6) Molly Ruble | 20:19.74 | ||
| 7) Celia Jackson | 20:36.30 | ||
3. Cardinal Gibbons: Losing Sarah Rapp definitely sets a team back, but the Crusaders return a team capable of winning another 3A title. Consistent coaching will be a huge benefit (there has been a ton of turnover at Cardinal Gibbons until last year), and it has already begun to pay off in the form of big improvement during track season. Of particular note is the imrpvement of both Cuomo and Magee, the latter providing much-needed depth. This team's experience in digging out a championship in a close race may come in handy again by the time November rolls around. Potential wild card: will Megan Kunkel, who burst onto the scene with a 2:17 800 last spring, run during the fall? If so, will she contribute?
| 1) Mary Grace Doggett | 18:46.10 | ||
| 2) Samiiah Wilson | 19:09.60 | ||
| 3) Megan Cuomo | 19:11.10 | ||
| 4) Krista Rosenquest | 19:14.60 | ||
| 5) Rachel Bartolomeo | 19:17.00 | ||
| Average Time: 19:07.68 -- Total Time: 1:35:38.40 -- 1-5 Split: 30.90 | |||
| 6) Catherine Hollister | 20:33.40 | ||
| 7) Shelby Scanlin | 20:54.00 | ||
4. Ardrey Kell: The only team thus far with 4 girls under 19 minutes and 6 under 20. How is this for a fantastic track season: Kramer 5:01/11:15, Foreman 5:09/10:56; their returning fifth, Sydney Teague, ran 11:52 this spring, and sister Samantha (returning 4th) went 5:16! The Knights didn't miss a beat when a certain rising freshman decided not to compete for them; this team thinks they can win anyway, and they are working hard to achieve that goal. There is youth here, too, as Kramer is the only senior among the top 5 runners. Although it will take a lot to dethrone the defending champions, Ardrey Kell is definitely within striking range.
| 1) Kaitlyn Kramer | 17:59.00 | ||
| 2) Sydney Foreman | 18:38.00 | ||
| 3) Caitlin Bucksbaum | 18:52.00 | ||
| 4) Samantha Teague | 18:55.00 | ||
| 5) Sydney Teague | 19:43.00 | ||
| Average Time: 18:49.40 -- Total Time: 1:34:07.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:44.00 | |||
| 6) Maraih Reilly | 19:59.00 | ||
| 7) Abby Brooks | 20:05.00 | ||
Note: this is the final break in the girls' rankings. Above are the four teams that are clearly the class of the state. Below, in the #5-#7 slots, are the second tier. Though some teams in the second tier have potential to move up, the 3A and 4A champions will most likely come from this top 4.
5. Myers Park: This is a team on the bubble, as good as or better than the teams below them, but not quite in the level of the top three teams yet. Their one weakness appears to be the lack of a front-runner, which could cripple them at the state meet. However, they are deeper 1-6 than anyone else covered so far. The Mustangs' returning runners had good times during track season (especially Henderson and Hoover), and they discovered a possible new talent in Sonja Payerpaj (5:37/11:51 with no previous cross country) if she joins the team this fall.
| 1) Hannah Henderson | 19:07.00 | ||
| 2) Julia King | 19:14.00 | ||
| 3) Dana Larsen | 19:19.00 | ||
| 4) Meg Greene | 19:33.00 | ||
| 5) Julia Hoover | 19:54.20 | ||
| Average Time: 19:25.44 -- Total Time: 1:37:07.20 -- 1-5 Split: 47.20 | |||
| 6) Kasey Spence | 20:01.00 | ||
| 7) Adrianne Gacevich | 21:01.00 | ||
6. West Johnston: This is the best front four that we've ranked so far, and their fifth is solid, too. They had a very good track season, which saw Lauren Pollard breaking through as a stud individual. If she and Foskey can develop into true front-runners, then this team only needs a bit more depth to be a top 5 contender. Leadership shouldn't be an issue: with 6 seniors in their top 7, it might be now or never for the Wildcats!
| 1) Dakota Foskey | 19:06.79 | ||
| 2) Lauren Pollard | 19:14.00 | ||
| 3) Scarlet Beamon | 19:32.61 | ||
| 4) Becca Meshaw | 19:34.21 | ||
| 5) Kyra Green | 20:01.93 | ||
| Average Time: 19:29.91 -- Total Time: 1:37:29.54 -- 1-5 Split: 55.14 | |||
| 6) Allie Mercado | 20:51.18 | ||
| 7) Megan Weeks | 21:43.12 | ||
7. Charlotte Catholic: after 6th- and 3rd-place finishes the last two years, the Cougars are definite contenders this year. With only one senior in their top 5, and two in the top 7, they may very well have a two-year window to get to the top. They had fantastic track results despite a mid-year coaching change (their #4 ran 5:24!), and that bodes well for their improvement this fall. If they have a weakness, at least on paper, it is the lack of a front-runner (although again their track results may represent a breakthrough in that area). This is shaping up to be a titanic two-team battle for the 3A title!
| 1) Jamie Vezolles | 19:02.00 | ||
| 2) Margot Corcoran | 19:15.00 | ||
| 3) Emma Moore | 19:53.41 | ||
| 4) Rachel Wallon | 19:55.00 | ||
| 5) Jamie Hageman | 20:15.00 | ||
| Average Time: 19:40.08 -- Total Time: 1:38:20.41 -- 1-5 Split: 1:13.00 | |||
| 6) Melissa Gauthier | 20:24.90 | ||
| 7) Lexie Vinson | 21:29.00 | ||
Note: there is another break in the rankings here, making the #8 -#11 teams the third tier. All of those teams are of definite state meet caliber, and of course Carrboro has 2A championship potential. From here on up are the clear top 7 teams in the state.
8. Carrboro: The back-to-back 2A champions (with an outdoor track title to boot) have their top 5 back intact, and they had a terrific track season. Their spring results suggest that Morken and Perone have made the leap into top-flight status, potentially giving them front-runners that can hang with the 3A and 4A schools. This is a veteran squad, too, composed of juniors and seniors that have a ton of championship experience, leading a team that has the potential to transcend the 2A classification and become one of the best in the state.
| 1) Grace Morken | 19:18.00 | ||
| 2) Frankie Perone | 19:33.00 | ||
| 3) Camilla Dohlman | 19:59.00 | ||
| 4) Alexa Phillips | 20:13.00 | ||
| 5) Laura Hamon | 20:19.35 | ||
| Average Time: 19:52.47 -- Total Time: 1:39:22.35 -- 1-5 Split: 1:01.35 | |||
| 6) Carlen Burch | 20:22.15 | ||
| 7) Maisie Mraz | 21:29.00 | ||
9. Broughton: It's a clean sweep at number 9 for the Caps! This girls team seems to get overlooked among the Mideast 4A contenders the past few years, but they have been consistently strong. Mattie Blue broke through as an individual star this past spring, and several other returning runners had good results as well. This is a young team with only two seniors in the returning top 7, to go with four sophomores.
| 1) Megan Sullivan | 18:58.74 | ||
| 2) Kyndal Boykin | 19:38.29 | ||
| 3) Alison Berger | 19:58.99 | ||
| 4) Mattie Blue | 19:59.80 | ||
| 5) Jackeitha Baker | 20:33.00 | ||
| Average Time: 19:49.76 -- Total Time: 1:39:08.82 -- 1-5 Split: 1:34.26 | |||
| 6) Kristen Gardner | 20:52.00 | ||
| 7) Kayla Manring | 20:58.48 | ||
10. Terry Sanford: The first of the teams with all of their top 5 returning runners under 20 minutes, the Bulldogs had a rough state meet last year after finishing 3rd in 2009. They did not have a particularly great track season, and their entire returning top 7 had their PR's on a suspect course at Jack Britt. Depth could be a problem beyond their top 5, but that tight-knit pack gives them a chance to improve if they have a good summer.
| 1) Tres Lesane | 18:50.00 | ||
| 2) Katlyn Adkins | 19:38.00 | ||
| 3) Karen Leonard | 19:41.00 | ||
| 4) Kaitlin Bly | 19:51.00 | ||
| 5) Abigail Ancherico | 19:56.00 | ||
| Average Time: 19:35.20 -- Total Time: 1:37:56.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:06.00 | |||
| 6) Megan Zipperer | 21:44.00 | ||
| 7) Kelly Flynn | 23:48.00 | ||
11. East Chapel Hill: This team got hit hard by graduation, but they have enough strength to continue to compete. Depth is a big issue unless they develop two or three more sub-21 runners, and they currently lack a true front-runner (which could be a liability at the state meet). Still, this is a proven consistent program, and the chances are they will be strong at the end.
| 1) Pegah Kamrani | 19:10.92 | ||
| 2) Nina Pande | 19:15.80 | ||
| 3) Maggie Meshnick | 19:44.24 | ||
| 4) Isabella Mezzatesta | 20:08.83 | ||
| 5) Taylor Daly | 20:32.00 | ||
| Average Time: 19:46.36 -- Total Time: 1:38:51.79 -- 1-5 Split: 1:21.08 | |||
| 6) Amanda Lohman | 21:25.30 | ||
| 7) Jessica Nolting |
22:26.55 |
||
Note: the teams ranked 12-18 represent the fourth tier of girls teams. These teams in this group are VERY close to each other, and the order could easily be changed. However, there is a clear break here, leading to the top 11 teams.
12. Pinecrest: this team had arguably the best improvement top-to-bottom during track season. Not least was the discovery of Jaleigh Jensen, who ran 5:30 as a freshman after not competing during cross country season. With Cunningham already leading the way and 5 girls under 12:25 in the 3200, this is a team with top-10 potential in 4A. Watch out for them in 2012, when they will return 6 of their top 7 runners!
| 1) Jennie Cunningham | 19:14.00 | ||
| 2) Mulloy Manning | 19:51.31 | ||
| 3) Sarah Pressley | 20:16.89 | ||
| 4) Hayden Rudd | 20:35.00 | ||
| 5) Kara Zoellner | 20:44.25 | ||
| Average Time: 20:08.29 -- Total Time: 1:40:41.45 -- 1-5 Split: 1:30.25 | |||
| 6) Katana Lemelin | 20:56.08 | ||
13. Charlotte Latin: after winning the last FOUR NCISAA 3A Cross Country titles, Latin faces the tough task of replacing three departed sub-19 minute seniors. Although they appear to have some depth issues, the top-ranked private school still returns a lot of firepower, and the younger girls have had a great example to follow as they continue the tradition.
| 1) Tricia Murphy | 19:40.00 | ||
| 2) Katie Mcdowell | 19:52.00 | ||
| 3) Hannah Smith | 19:56.00 | ||
| 4) Laura Gill | 19:57.00 | ||
| 5) Sarah Bailey Wilson | 21:14.00 | ||
| Average Time: 20:07.80 -- Total Time: 1:40:39.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:34.00 | |||
| 6) Lea Kokenes | 21:56.00 | ||
| 7) Emily Lewis | 22:03.00 | ||
14. North Lincoln: a close pack and a strong track season have put the Knights in position to contend for a 2A title. Last year's runners-up have great depth for a school their size, and if Fornshell or Castro develops into a true front-runner, this team can compete with almost anyone.
| 1) Savannah Fornshell | 19:34.40 | ||
| 2) Allie Castro | 20:01.99 | ||
| 3) Morgan Ellis | 20:22.93 | ||
| 4) Ashton Creech | 20:26.54 | ||
| 5) Christina Fea | 20:37.53 | ||
| Average Time: 20:12.68 -- Total Time: 1:41:03.39 -- 1-5 Split: 1:03.13 | |||
| 6) Maggie Robinson | 20:43.72 | ||
| 7) Kayla Harrison | 20:44.45 | ||
15. TC Roberson
| 1) Brooke Gordon | 17:55.63 | ||
| 2) Ella Bozeman | 20:14.00 | ||
| 3) Ashley Mull | 20:35.83 | ||
| 4) Megan Mcdonald | 21:00.16 | ||
| 5) Elizabeth Mosher | 21:01.89 | ||
| Average Time: 20:09.50 -- Total Time: 1:40:47.51 -- 1-5 Split: 3:06.26 | |||
| 6) Lauren Cook | 21:11.14 | ||
| 7) Brooke Smith | 21:29.00 | ||
16. Apex
| 1) Vishal Iyer | 19:54.00 | ||
| 2) Amber Blanton | 20:19.93 | ||
| 3) Lindsey Forte | 20:20.00 | ||
| 4) Torre Moser | 20:22.49 | ||
| 5) Allison Collins | 20:23.34 | ||
| Average Time: 20:15.95 -- Total Time: 1:41:19.76 -- 1-5 Split: 29.34 | |||
| 6) Christina Goudreau | 20:29.69 | ||
| 7) Maggie Creamer | 21:03.86 | ||
17. New Hanover
| 1) Shelby Howell | 18:41.09 | ||
| 2) Jessica Adams | 19:44.40 | ||
| 3) Holly Ferguson | 20:20.72 | ||
| 4) Jessica Munoz | 20:52.04 | ||
| 5) Tatum Jacaruso | 20:58.43 | ||
| Average Time: 20:07.34 -- Total Time: 1:40:36.68 -- 1-5 Split: 2:17.34 | |||
| 6) Holland Mcgraw | 21:22.26 | ||
| 7) Jere Freeman | 21:29.56 | ||
18. Chapel Hill
| 1) Tristan Van Ord | 18:50.00 | 23 | ||
| 2) Alexa Young | 19:25.00 | 62 | ||
| 3) Shuyu Cao | 20:37.00 | 211 | ||
| 4) Emily Williams | 21:04.21 | 310 | ||
| 5) Erin Mcgibbon | 21:22.00 | 371 | ||
| Average Time: 20:15.64 -- Total Time: 1:41:18.21 -- 1-5 Split: 2:32.00 | ||||
| 6) Jessica Young | 21:28.00 | 390 | ||
| 7) Kathleen Cannon | 21:39.00 | 428 | ||
Note: the teams from 19-25 represent the fifth tier of state meet calibre teams in these rankings. Depending on how you look at it, you could even divide this into two groups, with a break between 21 and 22, forming a sixth tier of the teams ranked 22-25.
19. Reagan
| 1) Kristen Henson | 18:47.00 | ||
| 2) Sophie Capshaw-mack | 19:39.00 | ||
| 3) Emily Grimes | 20:03.29 | ||
| 4) Alex Green | 20:36.40 | ||
| 5) Ashley Brubaker | 21:58.91 | ||
| Average Time: 20:12.92 -- Total Time: 1:41:04.60 -- 1-5 Split: 3:11.91 | |||
| 6) Kelly Madigan | 21:59.42 | ||
| 7) Brittney Brinson | 22:20.20 | ||
20. Lake Norman
| 1) Taylor Sweet | 19:26.00 | ||
| 2) Kelsie Rubino | 19:55.00 | ||
| 3) Rachel Valocchi | 20:23.00 | ||
| 4) Nina Mastendrea | 20:54.00 | ||
| 5) Sabrina Heck | 21:03.00 | ||
| Average Time: 20:20.20 -- Total Time: 1:41:41.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:37.00 | |||
| 6) Elise Devoe | 21:17.00 | ||
| 7) Peyton Soernnson | 21:20.00 | ||
21. Providence
| 1) Arden Mattachini | 19:55.00 | ||
| 2) Emily Costa | 20:08.00 | ||
| 3) Morgan Heidt | 20:28.00 | ||
| 4) Rebekah Lunan | 21:01.00 | ||
| 5) Ashley Reid | 21:04.00 | ||
| Average Time: 20:31.20 -- Total Time: 1:42:36.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:09.00 | |||
| 6) Alex Little | 21:13.00 | ||
| 7) Miranda Curlee | 22:08.00 | ||
22. Mount Tabor
| 1) Samantha Campanaro | 19:19.00 | ||
| 2) Anna Gervasi | 20:11.49 | ||
| 3) Sarah Pearcy | 20:11.92 | ||
| 4) Jenna Gledhill | 21:00.00 | ||
| 5) Olivia Hatch | 21:48.00 |
23. Marvin Ridge
| 1) Caitlyn Colo | 19:40.00 | ||
| 2) Alden Kessenich | 20:22.00 | ||
| 3) Morgan Durand | 20:58.00 | ||
| 4) Sarah Fell | 21:10.00 | ||
| 5) Laura Love | 21:34.60 | ||
| Average Time: 20:44.92 -- Total Time: 1:43:44.60 -- 1-5 Split: 1:54.60 | |||
| 6) Emma Estes | 22:14.60 | ||
| 7) Eden Bayuk | 22:30.90 | ||
24. Laney
| 1) Lexi Little | 19:43.86 | ||
| 2) Abigail Rackley | 19:57.39 | ||
| 3) Kerry Leonard | 20:43.87 | ||
| 4) Kelly McLendon | 21:00.00 | ||
| 5) Savannah Cribb | 21:21.12 | ||
| Average Time: 20:33.25 -- Total Time: 1:42:46.24 -- 1-5 Split: 1:37.26 | |||
| 6) Erin Exlin | 21:34.42 | ||
| 7) Arianna Brown | 21:35.66 | ||
25. Davie County
| 1) Anna Mcbride | 18:40.00 | |
| 2) Blakely Gantt | 20:12.00 | |
| 3) Kaitlyn Hutchins | 20:16.00 | |
| 4) Amy Steller | 21:12.00 | |
| 5) Shelby Weatherman | 21:49.00 | |
| Average Time: 20:25.80 -- Total Time: 1:42:09.00 -- 1-5 Split: 3:09.00 | ||
| 6) Allie Slabach | 21:52.00 | |
| 7) Chelsea Whitaker | 22:19.00 | |