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Northwest Region Boys Preseason Rankings 2021Published by
Jesuit Looking For Return Trip To Nationals As Northwest Recovers From 2020's Cancellations By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor Boys NXR Northwest The sense of "normal" feels new enough that cross country programs across the region are still taking stock of what they have and what they can do to feel whole again. Washington and Oregon have not conducted official state meets in nearly two years and the concern is that many would-be cross country runners who were not engaged are lost for good. The gulf between the handful of elite programs and the rest of the schools in both states may grow wider until confidence is fully restored. In Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Wyoming things operated a bit more like usual, but the big population centers in the region -- Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, Spokane and Eugene -- are taking tentative steps forward into cross country season. There are some Division I prospects, very good duos and trios but very few teams that feel complete 1-7. Rebuilding is going to take some time. One boys team that is complete going into the fall is Jesuit, which returns five runners who broke nine minutes for 3,000 meters last spring and some of them were part of the second-place team that finished behind Newbury Park CA at the XC Town Meet of Champions in Indiana last fall. A couple of Portland's public schools, 2019 Oregon 6A champion Franklin and Lincoln, are the next in line with solid training groups that have been putting the work in. In Washington, it's going to take a couple more weekends and big invitationals to flesh out who improved the most over the summer. Bishop Blanchet of Seattle has a solid nucleus and appears to be the top team in the state at the moment. 1. Jesuit OR. In spite of the lost 2020 season and limited opportunities so far in 2021, coach Tom Rothenberger might have one of the best teams he's coached in his 30-plus years. John Schuler is back after running 3:52.80 in the 1,500 meters last spring. Junior Jacob Nenow, the son of former American 10,000 meters record holder Mark Nenow, ran 8:30.83 in the 3,000 meters. Caden Hildenbrand, Josh Augustine and Gus Clevenger are all talented pieces of a lineup that should be able to compete at a national level. On a fast 5,000-meter course, Rothenberger envisions a top seven that can all run under 15:30. 2. Franklin OR. The Lightning may have lost Charlie Robertson to graduation (and the University of Colorado), but Charlie North is back for his senior year and he's one of the best runners in the region. The Charlies finished 1-2 in last year's Nike Cross Virtual individual rankings. North heads up a deep group that should contend with Jesuit for the 6A title. Sheadon Ocker, Oscar Ponteri, Gwilym Horner and Paul Beaven all finished in the top eight at this week's Portland Interscholastic League Preview. Franklin was likely the last team out from making NXN in 2019, but should be in position to make another run at it this fall. 3. Lincoln OR. Coach Eric Dettman has built a robust program in downtown Portland with his enthusiasm and non-stop energy and despite the graduation of 2019 Foot Locker finalist Mateo Althouse, the boys team could be better than ever. Senior Aiden Smith ran 3:54.99 for 1,500 meters last spring and leads the group with fellow senior Tucker Bowerfind. Sophomore Eamon Whitten and junior Harrison Talcott could help drive this team to becoming a regional contender. 4. Bishop Blanchet WA. Juniors William Schneider and Drew Oliver are emerging as a lethal 1-2 punch. Schneider ran 4:13.38 in the mile last spring and is one of the top young runners in Washington. Early evidence points to a drop off at No. 5, but there is time shore that up and pursue a Class 3A state title. In 2019, Bishop Blanchet was second to Kamiakin. 5. Hamilton MT. It's not clear whether there is enough firepower here to compete on the regional level, but there is a good story brewing in Western Montana with this bunch. All seven runners from last year's Montana Class A championship team are back and this little school of less than 600 students might be the best in the Big Sky state. Seniors Lane Cole, Colter Purcell and Colter Kirkland are the team's top three. Watchlist More news |
