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High School Regional Rankings Girls XC 2021 - 11/4Published by
Girls Regional Rankings - 11/4/2021 By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor A memorable performance by Niwot High in the Colorado High School Activities Association girls 4A final Oct. 30 at the state championship meet at Norris Penrose Events Center in Colorado Springs confirmed the Cougars’ position atop the loaded Southwest rankings, but there was also significant movement in two other regionals in late October prior to state competition over the next two weekends. Niwot placed five runners in the top nine, including individual champion Eva Klingbeil, to produce a 20-point effort, the lowest in 4A history. The Cougars, who also had senior Sierra Parks gain eligibility following the state meet after not being able to race at the varsity level during the regular season, have the depth necessary to challenge Saratoga Springs High of New York in any postseason competition. The performances of Arapahoe, Cherry Creek and Valor Christian in the Colorado 5A final, along with a victory Oct. 27 by American Fork in the Utah 6A championship race, continued to validate the Southwest as the deepest region in the country. Desert Vista High from Arizona will look to showcase its best performance Nov. 13 at the Division 1 state final at Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix in an effort to measure up to the top programs in Colorado and Utah ahead of the NXR Southwest Regional meet Nov. 20 in Tempe. Perhaps the most notable result ahead of state competition came in the Southeast Regional, where Cuthbertson prevailed by a 43-47 margin Oct. 30 against Weddington in the 4A Midwest Regional competition in Kernersville. Junior Alyssa Preisano and sophomore Stella Kermes took the top two spots for Cuthbertson, which placed five scorers in the top 20. Justine Preisano was 20th for the Cavaliers, two spots in front of Alyx Beausoleil, the No. 5 scorer for Weddington. The teams will square off again Saturday in the 4A state championship meet on the same 5-kilometer course at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex. Cuthbertson’s performance helped Cambridge Christian High from Florida take over the top spot in the Southeast. Since they all competed Oct. 2 in the Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival, the three teams have been separated by the narrowest of margins during the past month. But Cambridge Christian swept the top four spots at its district meet Oct. 26, led by Arkansas commit Mary Ellen Eudaly and Notre Dame-bound Caroline Lehman, and is a significant favorite to capture the 1A state title Nov. 12 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Another regional that has seen significant movement entering state championship competition is the Heartland, with Edina continuing to build momentum following an impressive effort Oct. 26 at the 2AAA Sectional meet at Gale Woods Farm. Edina placed five scorers in the top 15, led by Maggie Wagner and Ella Hinkie, to prevail against Prior Lake and Minnetonka. Wayzata and St. Paul Highland Park are also looking to produce strong performances Saturday at the Minnesota State High School League final Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Middleton High in Wisconsin, led by Lauren Pansegrau, won the Division 1 state title Oct. 30 at Ridges Golf Course, with Olathe West High in Kansas securing the 6A state championship the same day at Four Mile Creek Resort in Augusta with a 52-68 victory over rival Olathe North. Olathe West placed five scorers in the top 20, highlighted by top-10 efforts from Bree Newport and Charis Robinson. Another program that has elevated significantly in recent weeks has been Colts Neck High in New Jersey following exceptional races Oct. 21 at the Monmouth County Championships and again Oct. 28 at the Shore County Championships. Led by North Carolina-bound Lilly Shapiro and supported by a consistent group including Presslie Mariner, Ava Wilmot, Olivia Petschauer, Ashley Pavlovsky, Elizabeth Scarpa and Ava Suhocki, Colts Neck has added more depth to an already strong lineup of New Jersey programs in the Northeast, with only Pennsylvania AAA favorite North Allegheny looking to challenge the pecking order during postseason competition. Saratoga Springs swept the top six spots Oct. 30 at the Suburban Council Championships, led by sophomore Emily Bush, to remain well in front of its challengers in New York. Natalie Cook, a senior at Lewisville Flower Mound in Texas, achieved a course record Oct. 25 in her 6A regional race by clocking 16:39.9 on the 3-mile layout at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. Cook, an Oklahoma State commit, will look to lead Flower Mound to the 6A team title Saturday at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock. Bria Bennis led six York athletes placing in the top 10 of their Illinois 3A sectional meet at Lake Park, with the group remaining a strong favorite to secure the team championship Saturday at Detweiller Park. Ann Arbor Pioneer, led by sophomore Rachel Forsyth, also dominated its Division 1 regional Oct. 30 in Michigan entering the Lower Peninsula state championship meet Saturday. Summit, Jesuit and Lincoln will square off Saturday to determine Oregon 6A supremacy, looking to showcase the state’s strength after Boise placed six athletes in the top 12 in the Idaho girls 5A final Oct. 30 at Eagle Island State Park. Sophomores Allie Bruce and Samantha Smith continued to lead the way at the state championship meet for Boise, which has yet to face the Oregon powers this year in its pursuit of the top spot in the Northwest. Buchanan and Newbury Park won’t meet again in California until the Nov. 27 state meet, looking to remain healthy and efficient during league and sectional competition until the third showdown among the Division 1 state powers at Woodward Park in Fresno.
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