11. Broughton

Talk about a program that succeeds in the shadow of its counterpart! The Broughton girls have averaged a final all-classes ranking of 9th over the last 3 years (10th over the last 5 years), and they don't get nearly as much recognition as they should, due in part to the incredible run the Broughton boys have been on this year. The Caps peaked a bit early last fall and ended up on the wrong end of the group of teams fighting for the final spots out of the Mideast 4A, but they return 5 of 7 from that group. That includes a strong rising senior class as well as Savannah Jones, who appeared to be on her way to individual recognition at the midpoint of the 2014 season. That uncharacteristically weak finish to the season should serve as strong motivation for the Caps, and they already have shown impressive progress through track results - in particular, Margaret Chapman looks to have made a big step forward. Expect this year's Broughton team to be back in the mix for the top 10 overall, and a contender for the top 5 in 4A.

Returning Ranking: 13th
3-Year Improvement Rating: 22nd
5-Year Improvement Rating: 8th
Returning 3200 Team Ranking: 9th
Returning 1600 Team Ranking: 10th

1) Savannah Jones	18:56.80	20
2) Margaret Chapman	19:53.10	60
3) Isabel Perry	20:17.20	85
4) Brienna Kane	20:33.40	109
5) Katie Wadsworth	20:44.10	117
Average Time: 20:04.92 Total Time: 1:40:24.60 1-5 Split: 1:47.30
6) Kylee Vaughn	20:59.76	153
7) Emmy Trowell	21:02.86	160

12. West Forsyth

As intensely competitive as the boys' Midwest 4A is shaping up to be, on the girls' side it actually looks like a bit of a down year (aside from the addition of Cardinal Gibbons). That doesn't take anything away from the top returning team in the regional, as the Titans look every bit like a top-10 team in 4A this fall. After all, West Forsyth finished 11th last year, and all 7 runners from that race return for 2015. Strong track results help this squad's cause, especially Ellen Spencer's 5:20 for 1600 that could indicate she is ready to push incumbent Ashley Smith for the #1 spot. With three returning sub-20 runners, two of them likely to break 19, and another on track to join the top 3 under 20, this team has enough firepower up front to make a run at the top 5 in November.

Returning Ranking: 11th
3-Year Improvement Rating: 16th
5-Year Improvement Rating: 25th
Returning 3200 Team Ranking: 12th
Returning 1600 Team Ranking: 14th

	1) Ashley Smith		18:59.26
	2) Ellen Spencer		19:13.00
	3) Sarah Spencer		19:47.00
	4) Madison Ford		20:22.60
	5) Ashley Giordano		20:45.00
	Average Time: 19:49.37 Total Time: 1:39:06.86 1-5 Split: 1:45.74
	6) Kathryn Anderson		21:26.10
	7) Ansley Cannon		21:52.60

13. Cary Academy

One thing seems very likely in the NCISAA 3A this fall: a team of Chargers will win the girls' title. The big question is, WHICH team of Chargers? This team returns the defending individual champion, Sarah Bodmer, and she was joined by Emily Lane and Grace Goetz in having an excellent track season. Was it enough to move past Providence Day? That could end up being determined by depth, which is an issue for Cary Academy. To win the championship, this team needs someone like Hanna Saklad, who has never run cross country before, to get in the mix with the returning 5-7 runners and strengthen everyone in the process.

Returning Ranking: 17th
3-Year Improvement Rating: 17th
5-Year Improvement Rating: 10th
Returning 3200 Team Ranking: 6th
Returning 1600 Team Ranking: 13th

1) Sarah Bodmer	18:53.01	28
2) Emily Lane	19:28.45	69
3) Grace Goetz	19:48.51	101
4) Kate Park	20:43.60	216
5) Emma Ehrhardt	21:53.39	469
Average Time: 20:09.39 Total Time: 1:40:46.96 1-5 Split: 3:00.38
6) Olivia Sherman	23:30.40	779
7) Ashley Miller	24:10.00	900

14. Providence Day

The senior class that led the Chargers to the last two NCISAA 3A state titles has graduated, but the cupboard is not bare - and there will still be plenty of leadership. Youngsters Clare Landis and Regan Cronk will work alongside 4 seniors in the projected top 7 for this fall, all with the common goal of extending the team's championship streak. Landis did not run in the spring, making it hard to judge her progress, but Cronk took the helm and led the Chargers to solid team results. This is shaping up to be a VERY competitive battle for the state title, as you'll see if you keep watching the countdown...

Returning Ranking: 14th
3-Year Improvement Rating: 17th
5-Year Improvement Rating: 30th
Returning 3200 Team Ranking: 10th
Returning 1600 Team Ranking: 22nd

1) Clare Landis	19:49.84	103
2) Katie Brown	20:02.72	124
3) Regan Cronk	20:03.97	127
4) Molly Kral	20:11.00	142
5) Samantha Huffman	20:53.00	251
Average Time: 20:12.11 Total Time: 1:41:00.53 1-5 Split: 1:03.16
6) Grace Clements	21:06.00	301
7) Blaire Barton	21:12.00	324

15. Apex

Depth is the Cougars' hallmark, as they are the first team in the rankings with 7 under 21 and their top 5 under 20:30. That continued in the spring, with Apex one of 12 girls' teams to put 5 returning runners under 6 minutes. Even better, returning #3 runner Allison Rosen had a breakout track season, clocking 5:28 and 11:57. This team could find itself in the middle of a classic pack vs. front-runners battle when the regional comes around: the Mideast 4A favorites all have sub-19 girls (or sub-18 in one case), but Apex has a super-tight 41-second 1-5 split to counter that. Will it be enough to get the Cougars into the state meet again, for the first time since 2011? With 6 runners returning, including 4 rising seniors in the projected top 7, this could be the year.

Returning Ranking: 12th
3-Year Improvement Rating: 38th
5-Year Improvement Rating: 34th
Returning 3200 Team Ranking: 17th
Returning 1600 Team Ranking: 15th

1) Jenna Stevens	19:43.00	92
2) Cassidy Devenouges	19:53.00	109
3) Allison Rosen	19:53.40	111
4) Cara Gaudioso	20:05.90	132
5) Elie Rivera	20:24.40	170
Average Time: 19:59.94 Total Time: 1:39:59.70 1-5 Split: 41.40
6) Josie McGee	20:47.00	233
7) Kylie Hofmeister	20:58.00	272