The Preseason MileSplit50 Top 25 Boys Team Rankings

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No. 25: Ridgefield (CT)

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Analysis: The sneaky-good program in the Northeast? It's Ridgefield. 

The squad finished second to Hall at the Connecticut State Open last November and third to Hall and Bishop Hendricken at the New England Championships. Importantly, Ridgefield welcomes back five runners from that team, including No. 1 Steven Hergenrother. 

Bishop Hendricken is graduating five, while Hall also loses five. That makes Ridgefield a compelling team to watch in 2023. 

Hergenrother may already be on the verge of stardom after a brilliant performance in the DMR at New Balance Nationals Outdoor, but he also is a returning CIAC Open champion and was second at New Englands. 

Ridgefield also welcomes back its third, fourth, fifth and sixth-best runners. If any of those runners develop into into top-level performers in 2023, Ridgefield very well could make a surprise run for a national bid in the Northeast. 

Biggest Question: Will it all coalesce? 

As with anything, the team will have to gel early and compete well throughout the season. There have been many-a-talented teams who have been great on paper, only to falter down the stretch.

So Ridgefield has to overcome the idea that they are only the best in Connecticut (arguably). If they truly want to rise above the litter, they need to push their goal posts farther. 

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