Boys XC Preseason Rankings: #12

<p> <span style="font-size: 13.63636302947998px;">NCRunners is counting down the top 25 boys 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>

Lots of talent back, and a track record of improvement, but RJ Reynolds is tough to rank because of a few complications.

 

	R.J. Reynolds (NC)
	1) Andrew Ciaccia		15:47.06	18
	2) Nick Ciaccia		15:55.68	25
	3) Joe Wilson		16:13.81	44
	4) Todd Holbrook		17:20.09	265
	5) Andrew Brodeur		17:32.00	318
	Average Time: 16:33.73 Total Time: 1:22:48.64 1-5 Split: 1:44.94
	6) Aaron Cooper		18:10.38	551
	7) Thomas Anthony		18:33.84	691

The 2013 edition of the RJR cross country team ended a 14-year conference championship streak for Mount Tabor, and finished 4th in the 4A state meet.  The 2014 edition, however, is tougher to project than you would think.  Track data isn't very helpful here (as may be the case for other teams), because the Demons' top 2 returners don't run during the spring season.  Of course, that in itself can hurt a team - the best programs have a high percentage of year-round runners, which allows for the maximum development from year to year.  RJR also has a strong recent history of improvement, which coincides with a coaching change before the 2011-2012 school year.  That rise put this team into the conversation of 4A title contenders, and there is enough talent back for the Demons to crack the top 10 in the 4A state meet again this year.  There's one big hitch: Coach Solomon left this summer and will be assisting with the Broughton program in the upcoming season.  Late coaching changes are never good, but hopefully there was enough of a training pattern established already for Reynolds to complete the summer and be ready for 2014.  The Demons also have added one of the best rising freshmen in Forsyth County, and if he cracks the top 5, this team will be a tough opponent; however, with the returning top 3 all graduating after this year, there may be rebuilding in the future.

Important Data:

• 2013 XC Returning Ranking: 11th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 75th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: NR (less than 4 returners with times)

• 5-Year Improvement Rating: 8.659 (12th)

• 3-Year Improvement Rating: 12.094 (5th)