American Fork UT Returns To The Top In Tough Southwest

By Paul Schmitz of DyeStat

Boys NXR Southwest Preview 

After a one-year hiatus, American Fork UT has reloaded and is looking for a return trip to Nike Cross Nationals. Seniors Luke Grundvig, Dalton Brems and Carson Clinger lead a clan of Cavemen that will open the fall as the No. 1 team in the Southwest.

AF was fifth at NXR Southwest last year and missed nationals for the first time in nine years.

Utah has dominated the Southwest over the past eight years, earning 17 of the last 20 bids to NXN. Heading into the season, however, there are as many teams from Colorado as Utah that project to be in the mix. Dakota Ridge, Mountain Vista, Niwot and Rock Canyon all are within striking distance of the top teams from Utah.

During the past four years the Southwest has secured more at-large bids to NXN than any other region (six), including two at-large bids in 2017. Current projections indicate that the Southwest is deep enough to warrant at-large berths this year as well. 

1. American Fork UT. The Cavemen return four of their top five runners and had a great season on the track. This is a team that can contend for a podium spot at NXN. 

2. Dakota Ridge CO. Dakota Ridge placed fifth in the CHSAA Class 5A meet in Colorado in 2017 and seventh at NXR Southwest. In the regional, DR was only 30 points behind Desert Vista AZ, which went on to take eighth at nationals. Dakota Ridge return six of seven runners and could be primed to secure its first ever national bid.

3. Skyridge UT.  This will only be the third year in the history of Skyridge High and already its cross country team is ranked third in the region. Located in the talent rich area just south of Salt Lake City, Skyridge is located within 15 miles of Lehi, Lone Peak and American Fork. This team placed fourth in the Class 5A Utah state meet in 2017 and returns its top five scorers.  

4. Mountain Vista CO. This program has won two of the past three NXR Southwest races and capped 2017 with a third-place finish at NXN. With five talented seniors graduated there is work to do, but this team is deep. By the end of the season, the Golden Eagles could be right back in the mix for another trip to Portland. 

5. Niwot CO. The darkhorse team in the Southwest finished fourth in the Class 4A meet in Colorado last year and returns four of five, including the top three. Niwot will need to strengthen the back of the lineup in order to move up in the rankings. Davis UT,  Riverton UT, Herriman UT and Rock Canyon CO project just a few points behind in a region that has teams Nos. 4-9 razor close.  

Watchlist

Davis UT

Riverton UT

Rock Canyon CO

Herriman UT

Spanish Fork UT

Corner Canyon CO

Boulder CO

Durango CO

Desert Hills UT

Bingham UT