The Preseason MileSplit50 Top 25 Girls Team Rankings

No. 11: Portland Jesuit (OR)

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Analysis: Six returners are back from a team that lost by just three points to Summit at the OSAA Class 6A Championships and finished sixth at the Garmin Cross Country Championships a year ago. Now, there's a slight qualifier there: Jesuit lost Chloe Foerster, who was the lone graduate of last year's team. 

But head coach Laura Harmon -- who entered the program over the 2021-2022 calendar year -- worked in freshman Emma Bennett well in 2021. The freshman finished fifth at the state championships and 25th at nationals, which is a solid lead-in for her sophomore year. Contributors like Maura O'Scannlain (sophomore), Natalie Jack (senior), Liliana Hudnut (junior) and Maggie Bennett (senior) round out a rotation that will feature a good deal of experience and youth. For most teams, that combination of athletes is the ideal blueprint. Jesuit is also among the fastest teams back in 2022. Both Bennett and O'Scannlain broke 18 minutes a season ago, while the first five athletes who return are under 19 minutes. 

Biggest Question: Can Jesuit get over the hump at state? 

It's been three straight state championships -- not including 2020 -- that Jesuit has not won a state title. That could change in 2022 based on this team's depth and talent. 

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