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Northwest Region Preseason XC Rankings 2016 - DyeStat

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DyeStat.com   Aug 23rd 2016, 8:20pm
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Northwest 1s: Bozeman boys and girls

 

The Northwest Boys

 

By Paul Schmitz

 

Perhaps the biggest storyline out of the Northwest region in 2015 was something that didn’t happen:  For the first time since the creation of Nike's national meet the state of Washington was not represented.  The state’s streak of 11 straight years of sending a team to NXN included the end of North Central’s eight-year run.  Bozeman MT put its state on the map as it jumped from the preseason watch list to second at NXN Northwest and then up to eighth at NXN. Bozeman has a good chance to go back in 2016.   

Oregon is the deepest state in the region with five teams from three different classes making the top five or watch list. Crater appears to be the top team after taking second to Summit in the Class 5A meet last year. Defending regional champion and 18th place NXN finisher Summit loses two of its top three but makes the watch list because of its consistent ability to reload. Jesuit is rising fast with junior Josh Schumacher leading the way. Class 4A champ Seaside could make noise as it returns its top six.  

Last year Mountain View had hopes of being the first team from Idaho to win a trip to Portland.  The two-time state champions fell short with fifth place at the regional. This fall it looks like Skyline, which returns its top seven, is the top team in the state. 

Wyoming state champion Laramie is poised to make it five titles in a row. This team was ninth at NXN Northwest and should be about that strong again. 

 

1. Bozeman MT.  The Hawks were one of the biggest surprises at NXN last year and out-ran the predictions with their eighth place finish. They return six of their top seven and are poised to do as well or even better. They have good runners at the top, led by seniors Chase Equall and Riley Collins and are consistent 1 through 5.   

2. Crater OR.  The Comets are led up front by junior Andy Monroe. He was the Oregon 5A 1,500 and 3,000 meters champion and is the top returner from NXN Northwest, where he was third. The team has a great pack of underclassman right behind him and if those guys show the improvement that youth allows, they could challenge for the regional title and move up in our national rankings.

3. Bellarmine Prep WA.  Bellarmine enters our rankings here based upon fast times on the track from this spring.  Last fall in cross country this team finished second in the 4A meet. It loses team leader Jack Yearian but returns its next six guys. Yearian, on his way to the University of Oregon, won the state cross country title and repeated his titles in the 1,600 and  3,200.

4. Jesuit OR.  The Crusaders finished fourth in the Oregon 6A meet and then 18th at NXN Northwest. Three of the top five have moved on with graduation but Josh Schumacher leads a young, hungry group that could contend for an NXN berth. 

5. North Central WA. The Indians completed a decade-long sweep of Class 3A in Washington last fall. That was a big moment but the loss of Justin Janke leaves one of the perennnial national powers in a rebuilding mode. North Central was third at NXN Northwest and saw its eight-year run of NXN berths come to an end. But this proud program won't stay down for long with Coach Jon Knight at the helm. The Indians return three of last year's top seven. 

Watch list: 

Central Catholic OR

Summit OR

Seaside OR

Laramie WY

Central Valley WA

Skyline ID 

Kamiakin WA

Eisenhower WA 

 

 

The Northwest Girls

 

By Adam Kopet

 

Montana created some surprises at the Northwest regional last year in Boise, Idaho. Five of the top 11 individuals were from Montana and Bozeman MT ran its best race of the season to win. After that, it was almost all Oregon, with the Beaver State taking the next three team places.

This year, the top teams are those that were hurt the least by graduation. In total, the top tree teams only lose one runner to graduation. And at this point, there is very little that separates them.

The watch list teams in the Northwest are worth noting. Sheldon OR has continued to develop and add depth year over year. Based on track and cross country performances, the Irish has a tremendous top four, but will need a fifth to compete with the ranked teams. Also, the Idaho teams should not be ignored. Mountain View ID is particular has the potential to finish the season among the ranked teams.

 

1. Bozeman MT: The Hawks are defending Northwest regional champions. They return all seven girls who competed in Portland. That experience will make them a strong contender to repeat as regional champions. Piper Meuwissen, a senior, is their top returner.

2. Jesuit OR: The Crusaders return a young squad, led by three girls who are starting their sophomore year (Libby Rinck, Makenna Schumacher and Hallie DeVore). They were fourth at the Northwest Regional and are early favorites to book a spot at NXN.

3. Summit OR: The Storm have become a perennial top team in Oregon and in the Northwest Region. They are eight-time Class 5A champions and return the entire team that finished third at the Northwest Regional. Summit is led by senior Olivia Brooks and junior Hannah Tobiason, who both went to NXN as individuals last December. Brooks swept 5A state titles in 2015-16 in cross country and in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters.

4. Camas WA: The Papermakers have been to NXN before, but if they want to return they will need to find and develop new talent. They return their top four runners from last year and six of their top seven. Junior Emma Jenkins and sophomore Rachel Blair lead the team.

5. Sunset OR: The Apollos were seventh at NXN last year, but they graduated three of their scoring five. While sophomore Ember Stratton finished 20th at nationals, she will need help if Sunset is to earn another spot at NXN.

Watch list:

Mountain View ID

Sheldon OR

Eagle ID

Jackson WY

Billings Senior MT

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