NCHSAA 4A Conferences
NCHSAA 3A Conferences
NCHSAA 2A Conferences
NCHSAA 1A Conferences
NCISAA 3A Conferences
NCISAA 1A/2A and Mixed Conferences
Overall Top 10 Conferences
Methodology
To rank the conferences in the state, I had to use a few different methods. Ranking within one classification is fairly easy: I produced a team ranking, then gave each conference points for where its schools finished in the rankings (just like scoring a regular cross country meet, 1st = 1 point and so on). I scored the top 3 teams in each conference, then added the boys' and girls' totals together to get a score for each conference.
Coming up with an overall ranking was a little tougher; I couldn't just generate a team ranking for the whole state, because the NCHSAA 4A conferences would dominate. I decided that each conference would be scored relative to its own classification. In other words, how would each conference's teams do at their own particular state meet, based on current rankings in the database. This also solves the problem of "mixed" conferences that contain schools from different classifications; 3A schools are scored on their place in the 3A rankings, 2A schools are scored on their place in the 2A rankings, and so on. After totalling the points for the top 3 schools in each conference, I divided that number by an adjustment value that reflects the depth and difficulty of the conference's classification (NCHSAA 4A divided by 5, NCHSAA 3A divided by 4, NCISAA 3A divided by 3, all 2A divided by 2, all 1A divided by 1). This is because it is easier for one conference to dominate at the 1A level, where many teams and conferences around the state are weak, than at the 4A level, which has far more depth state-wide. Mixed conferences got to use their top 3 teams regardless of classification, and they were divided by their average classification (1.5 for a 1A/2A conference, for example). So, the overall rankings are an adjusted composite of the single-classification rankings--it doesn't show which conferences would beat the other conferences, it shows which conferences are most competitive at their respective state meet levels.
KEY
BEST conference = most competitive teams within their respective classification
TOUGHEST conference = teams are closest to each other and most competitive within the conference
NCHSAA 4A Conference Rankings
Best Conference: Southwestern (49 points). All of the 4A conferences have a weakness, but the Southwestern is the most competitive. For the girls, Ardrey Kell ranks 3rd, Myers Park 4th, and Providence 15th. On the boys' side, Ardrey Kell ranks 2nd, Myers Park 4th, and Providence 21st. Honorable Mention: Tri-Nine (68 points), Central Piedmont (83 points), CAP 8 (91 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: Central Piedmont girls (top 3 teams separated by 7 points), Tri-Nine boys (top 3 teams separated by 12 points). Honorable Mention: Metro Girls & Boys.
NCHSAA 3A Conference Rankings
Best Conference: Carolina (15 points). This conference is absolutely dominant at the state meet level, with Cardinal Gibbons ranked 1st, Chapel Hill 3rd, and Orange 4th in the 3A rankings; on the boys' side, they have Chapel Hill 1st, Cardinal Gibbons 2nd, and Orange 4th. Honorable Mention: South Piedmont (94 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: South Piedmont girls (top 3 teams separated by 14 point, top 2 separated by 1), Coastal boys (top 3 teams separated by 17 points). Honorable Mention: Mid-Piedmont girls.
NCHSAA 2A Conference Rankings
Best Conference: Carolina 12 (43 points). Despite being a split 1A/2A conference, the Carolina 12 has 6 2A teams that provide enough strength to make the top of the 2A conferences. For the boys, Carrboro is ranked 2nd, Cedar Ridge 5th, and Durham School of the Arts 22nd. Regarding the girls' teams, Carrboro ranks 1st, Northwood 3rd, and Cedar Ridge 10th. Honorable Mention: Southern Piedmont (55 points), Catawba Valley (93 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: Central Carolina girls and Catawba Valley girls (16 points separate the top 3 teams), East Central boys (9 points separate the top 4 teams). Honorable Mention: East Central girls, PAC 6 girls, Catawba Valley boys, Carolina 12 boys.
NCHSAA 1A Conference Rankings
Best Conference: Northwest (47 points). Again a split conference, this one 1A/2A, the Northwest has most of its strength in the 1A teams. Bishop McGuinness ranks 4th, North Stokes 10th, and South Stokes 18th for the boys; Bishop comes in at 3rd, North Stokes 5th, and South Stokes 7th in the girls' rankings. Honorable mention: Smoky Mountain (73 points), Western Highlands (74 points), Yadkin Valley (80 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: Northwest boys (13 points separate top 3 teams, 5 points between top 2), Four Rivers girls (9 points separate top 2 teams). Honorable Mention: Carolina girls, Yadkin Valley boys, Smoky Mountain boys.
NCISAA 3A Conference Rankings
Best Conference: CISAA (23 points). Behind the strength of Providence Day and Charlotte Latin, the CISAA is clearly the best in the 3A rankings. Their boys' teams rank 1st, 5th, and 6th in the state, while the girls' teams come in at 1st, 4th, and 6th. Honorable Mention: TISAC (43 points), PACIS (44 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: TISAC boys (as long as NRCA and Durham Academy develop their depth runners that are missing from the database, they will make it very hard for Cary Academy).
NCISAA 1A/2A and Mixed Conference Rankings
Best Conference: Metrolina Athletic (38 points). Though it contains a few 3A schools, the real power of the MAC is in its 2A teams. It has boys teams that rank 4th, 5th, and 13th in 2A, while the girls come in at 3rd, 6th, and 8th. Honorable Mention: Carolinas Athletic (44 points), Cape Fear Independent (48 points), South Piedmont Athletic (58 points).
Toughest Conference to Win: MAC girls (10 points separate top 3 teams), CAA boys (5 points separate the top 3 teams).
Overall Top 10 Conferences