MileSplit National Team Power Rankings (Oct. 30)

With most of the top teams winning this weekend, little movement occurred on the Oct. 30 installement of the MileSplit National Team Power Rankings.  However, US #10 Wheaton North boys and US #8 Fort Collins girls both lost, with Murrieta Valley (CA) and Dakota Ridge (CO) taking their spots in this week's rankings.

 

MileSplit National Team Power Rankings (Oct. 30)

 

Boys

1. Albuquerque Academy (NM) - Won the Los Alamos Invitational over US ranked Los Alamos 38-49.  Both squads dominated the rest of the field, while Academy grouped up well to pull away for the victory.  Foot Locker ranked Ben Johnson won the race for his team in 15:30.

2. Neuqua Valley (IL) - With the return of their #2 runner on the horizon, as well as the state meet, Neuqua Valley easily won the Normal Sectional meet by a 32-95 margin over Lincoln-Way East.  Placing their top five in the top twelve, the squad once again followed the foot steps of senior Chris Derrick, who took first overall.

3. North Central (WA) - With the stronger competition in the 4A race, North Central won the Eastern Regional 3A race using a 27 second split, and scoring their top five in the top seven, and top seven in the top eleven.  Junior Andrew Kimpell placed first overall for the team.

4. Danbury (CT) - Winning the Class LL Championships once again, Danbury looked unbeatable the entire race.  While placing five in the top nine, and beating state-ranked Glastonbury 29-88, Danbury used an eight second split to trump the competition.

5. Wheat Ridge (CO) - Wheat Ridge used two runners in the top six and a 1:07 spread to win the Colorado State CC Championships on Saturday.  WR beat Arapahoe 100-132 to take home the state title.

6. Crater (OR) - Placing five in teh top nine, including race winner junior Zach Elliott, Crater looked mighty impressive at their district meet.  The squad beat OR #4 Ashland 26-41 for the team title, while also beating OR #3 Klamath Union in the process.

7. Los Alamos (NM) - While the team lost their home invitational to US #1 Albuquerque Academy, Los Alamos proved they belong higher than US #9, as they kept the race close with Academy, only losing by seven points, 38-45.

8. North Penn (PA) - Won their district meet a little closer than many thought they would, scoring 92 points in the process.

9. Brookline (MA) - Won the BSC meet with a solid race strategy.  However, the past few weeks have shown weakness in their back end runners, dropping them this week to #9.

10. Murrieta Valley (CA) - Beating previously US ranked Loyola at the Mt. SAC Invitational by a rather large margin, and with previous US #10 Wheaton North losing big at their sectional, Murrieta Valley moves into the top ten for the first time this season.

 

Girls

1. Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) - Idle.  No weekend competition as sectionals loom.

2. Saugus (CA) - Idle.  No weekend competition after impressive performance at Mt. SAC the weekend prior.

3. Eldorado (NM) - Won the always tough Los Alamos Invitational 32-77 over state-ranked Gallup.  Front runner Rachel Velarde won the individual title for her squad, while the rest of the top five took 3, 4, 7 and 17 overall.

4. Mountain Brook (AL) - Mountain Brook continues to show their power in their home state, beating a crop of highly ranked Alabama squads at the Hoover Invitational.  MB placed nine in the top 15, including a 1-3 sweep.

5. Saratoga Springs (NY) - Beat previous US #7 Burnt-Hills at their conference championships by a 33-44 margin.  Hannah Davidson continues to lead her squad, winning the 3.05 mile race in 17:09.

6. Westfield (IN) - Won their state meet by a 81-114 margin of IN #2 Lake Central.  Led by two runners in the top nine, Westfield won their third consecutive Indiana State Championship.

7. Jesuit (OR) - A dominating performance at the Metro Cross Country District Meet, Jesuit showed their power, placing seven in the top ten, including a 1-3 sweep up top.

8. Burnt-Hills (NY) - Another week, another close loss to US #5 Saratoga Springs.  B-H lost to Saratoga Springs 33-44 at the SSC Championships.

9. Yankton (SD) - Season Complete.

10. Dakota Ridge (CO) - Hitting on all cylinders at the right time, Dakota Ridge toppled US #8 Fort Collins at the Colorado State Championships 28-87.  The squad looks towards NTN Regionals now.