Girls XC Preseason Rankings: #4

<p> <span style="font-size:14px;">NCRunners is counting down the top 25 girls 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>

Grace Sullivan and Kayla Glova make a potent duo up front for Providence, a team searching for a podium finish.

 

	Providence (NC)
	1) Grace Sullivan		17:38.00	1
	2) Kayla Glova		18:18.00	13
	3) Lindsey Lanier		19:07.00	54
	4) Helen Griffith		19:20.05	69
	5) Claire Strickler		20:23.20	191
	Average Time: 18:57.25 Total Time: 1:34:46.25 1-5 Split: 2:45.20
	6) Amelia Lennard		20:24.87	202
	7) Ally Mangini		20:29.00	221

Don't let this team's returning 3200 ranking fool you; if Grace Sullivan had run a single 3200 during the spring, Providence would jump into the top 7.  Likewise for the humdrum 5-Year Improvement Rating, as over the last 3 years they've been the best in the state at year-to-year progression.  The Panthers have a ton of firepower back, with the potential for 2 top-10 individuals and 2 other girls that have a great chance to break 19.  To realize the entirety of their potential, though, this team needs at least one of the returning 5-6-7 runners to step up and close the large gap between them and the front 4.  If that happens, Providence has a very high ceiling.  The truth is, this team could hit all their goals and still be the third-best team in its region, but then also be in the top 4 in the state.  2013 did not end quite the way the Panthers wanted, as they had their sights set on the podium; if everything falls right, they could end up there in 2014, despite losing 2 strong seniors.

Important Data:

• 2013 XC Returning Ranking: 5th 

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 1600 Ranking: 4th

• 2014 Outdoor Returning Team 3200 Ranking: 16th

• 5-Year Improvement Plan: 7.488 (16th)

• 3-Year Improvement Plan: 19.081 (1st)