Mountain Vista CO Looking For Another Big Year

By Adam Kopet of DyeStat

Girls NXR Southwest Preview

The Southwest Region had been dominated by Utah powers Davis and American Fork for several years. But more recently, it has been Colorado schools who have demonstrated their muscle at NXN.

This year, it could be a mix of Utah and Colorado schools representing the Southwest region at nationals. Mountain Vista CO, sixth nationally last year, leads the way and should figure prominently in national rankings.

To start the season, it is Lone Peak UT taking the second spot in the region. The Knights return all seven runners from the squad that finished fourth at NXR Southwest last year.

Battle Mountain CO stood atop the NXN podium last year, finishing third. The Huskies return four runners from that squad and will be looking to make a return trip to Portland.

Xavier College Prep AZ starts the year off at No. 4 in the Southwest as the only team in the top five not from Colorado or Utah. The Gators last qualified for NXN in 2015.

Desert Hills UT rounds out the top five, but there is tight competition for that fifth spot and there is no guarantee the Thunder can maintain it. All five watchlist teams are very close. Every runner will count as the season progresses.

1. Mountain Vista CO.  The Golden Eagles return the top five runners from the squad that finished sixth at NXN last year. Junior Jenna Fitzsimmons leads the team and she was sixth at the regional race last year, running 17:20.

2. Lone Peak UT.  The Knights return all seven runners from the squad that finished fourth at NXR Southwest last year. They are led by two sophomores, Eliza Arrington and Reagan Gardiner.

3. Battle Mountain CO.  The Huskies were surprise third-place finishers at NXN last year. They return four runners from that team, led by seniors Lizzy and Naomi Harding.

4. Xavier College Prep AZ. The Gators were a modest 18th at NXR Southwest last year, but they return a strong quartet of runners from that squad, led by sophomore Jamie Stelnik and junior Mia Olsen.

5. Desert Hills UT. The Thunder return all seven runners from the squad that finished sixth at NXR Southwest last year. Bailey Brinkerhoff, a senior, is the top returner, having run 17:45 for 5K.

Watchlist

Albuquerque Academy NM

Chandler AZ

Cherokee Trail CO

Davis UT

Peak to Peak CO

Valor Christian CO