The eighth spot features a boys team that got hammered by graduation, and a girls' squad that was very young last fall.
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 #8 Team: Cardinal Gibbons
The defending 3A state champions took a big hit from graduation, losing their top three runners. This is a deep program with a proud tradition, however, and so they don't fall too far in the preseason rankings. Improvements during the spring from runners such as JT Klimek (10:02 for 3200) will help bolster the top 5, while someone like Harrison Dusek could develop into a top-7 runner after a solid outdoor track season. This is a critical summer for NIck Tyrey, the only senior among the returning top 5; he sat out much of the spring season, but if healthy he can definitely fill some of the empty shoes left by the graduated runners. Although this might be a bit of transition year for the Crusaders, that could also bode well for 2013. One thing is certain: any Cardinal Gibbons team is going to work hard, and its runners are going to get better, so don't count them out of contention this fall.
| Cardinal Gibbons | ||||
| 1) Nick Tyrey | 16:21.80 | 32 | ||
| 2) Chase McCord | 16:44.30 | 85 | ||
| 3) Jt Klimek | 16:46.00 | 91 | ||
| 4) Jake Zawada | 16:58.60 | 125 | ||
| 5) Cody Nagy | 17:01.00 | 135 | ||
| Average Time: 16:46.34 -- Total Time: 1:23:51.70 -- 1-5 Split: 39.20 | ||||
| 6) Brandon Woolard | 17:29.70 | 262 | ||
| 7) Joey Wendt | 17:32.00 | 279 | ||
Girls' Preseason #8 Team: Providence
Providence was one of the youngest teams among the final top 25 last year: they only lost one top-seven runner (their 5th), and the only senior scorer this year is returning #7 runner Gina Daniel. That means a three season buildup with five of their top seven runners, and as long as they don't get sick of each other that should make for a formidable team (inside info: using 2011 times, Providence projects as the #1 girls' team in 2013, although that could change drastically during the season). Daniel had a great spring, dropping to 2:16.50 in the 800; if that translates to cross country and she pushes for a top 5 spot, that could push the Panthers toward the top 5. Although Bianca Bishop seemed to struggle a bit during outdoor (relative to her sub-19 cross country time), expect to see her continued development as the team's top runner. The only visible weakness last year for Providence, other than a lack of experience, was a fairly big gap between their second and third runners; if someone like Helen Griffith can close that gap after having a strong spring season, this squad will be tough to beat.
| Providence | ||||
| 1) Bianca Bishop | 18:53.00 | 27 | ||
| 2) Grace Sullivan | 19:07.00 | 43 | ||
| 3) Scotti Cool | 19:39.00 | 82 | ||
| 4) Helen Griffith | 19:45.00 | 93 | ||
| 5) Meghan Glova | 20:08.00 | 147 | ||
| Average Time: 19:30.40 -- Total Time: 1:37:32.00 -- 1-5 Split: 1:15.00 | ||||
| 6) Lauren Adamson | 20:14.00 | 158 | ||
| 7) Gina Daniel | 20:39.00 | 217 | ||