Today we have a boys' team looking to stay in the top 10 and a girls' team that gets back a vital cog in their return to prominence.

As we approach the start of official NCHSAA cross country practices on July 30th, NCRunners will count down the top 15 teams in our Preseason All-Classes Team Rankings.  The list began with the returning 5000 rankings from the 2011 cross country season, and then modifications were made based on improvements during the spring track season, runners lost, and recent program history.  Bonus consideration was given to teams with tight packs (at least 3 of the top 5 within 30 seconds of each other) and front runners (under 16 minutes for boys, under 18:45 for girls).  Subscribers can view the statistics that were used in the rankings process:

Returning 5000 Team Rankings

Boys  |  Girls

Returning 3200 Team Rankings

Boys  |  Girls

Returning 1600 Team Rankings

Boys  |  Girls

Boys Preseason #11 Team: East Rowan

Despite losing three of their top seven from last fall, including their #1 and #3 runners, East Rowan has developed into a program that can reload from their solid depth and continue to have success.  This is the first team in the rankings that returns four sub-17 runners, although those times are bolstered by running on the lightning-fast (and possibly short) McAnderson Park course in Statesville.  Nonetheless, the Mustangs have enough returning talent to make them a strong candidate for a top-5 finish in the 3A state meet.  One big downside: they didn't show much improvement in the spring track season, and that means they really need a strong summer to propel them into cross country season.  They could also use a few more depth runners to move into competition for the 6 and 7 spots.  Althought East Rowan might not have the "big name" of some programs around the state, they have ranked in the top 10 for 3A teams since 2009, and the Mustangs will want to continue that forward momentum this fall.

Girls Preseason #11 Team: East Chapel Hill

If you only looked at the results from 20122, you would wonder why they get such a high ranking; they finished the season at 34 and only rank 21st in the returning rankings.  Once you remember that they ran the whole 2011 season without Nina Pande, however, you can understand why the Wildcats are on the verge of the top 10 overall.  Pande ran 19:15 in 2010, and she ran 5:18 and 11:44 this spring on her road back to full form.  Pair her with the emergence of Pegah Kamrani in the 2011-2012 school year (5:08 and 11:09 during outdoor track), and you have a very strong 1-2 punch developing.  Depth is definitely a concern, however; East Chapel Hill will need a fifth runner who can close on the 20-minute mark, and even if they find that an injury to any of their top 5 could disrupt a potentially surprising season unless some young runners develop over the summer to fill in the gaps.  If they stay healthy, however, this is a Wildcat team with the firepower up front to threaten for a top-5 spot in the 4A state meet.