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Southwest Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2022Published by
Colorado remains deepest state in country, with several elite girls programs capable of qualifying for NXN, led by Arapahoe and Niwot having potential to compete for podium finishes when meet returns to Oregon; Reigning regional champion American Fork remains best hope for Utah By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Southwest Preview Despite not being able to showcase the complete depth of its talent the past two years without the presence of Nike Cross Nationals, girls programs from Colorado have still represented the state and Southwest Region in impressive fashion when elite opportunities have developed around the country. Cherry Creek won the XC Town USA Meet of Champions in 2020 in Terre Haute, Ind., and Niwot triumphed last year at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Huntsville, Ala., each prevailing against the strongest fields nationally during the respective season. But with the scheduled return of NXN on Dec. 3, the ambition has become even greater for Colorado to put a stamp on the NXR Southwest meet Nov. 19 in Arizona by not only earning the two girls automatic berths, but also trying to secure multiple at-large bids as well to compete in Portland, Ore. Colorado has such strong potential this season that returning NXR Southwest champion American Fork High from Utah and junior standout Avalon Mecham might not even place in the top five in regional competition in November following the graduation of four seniors. Desert Vista, which took third last year at the regional meet, doesn’t even enter the season as the top team in Arizona Division 1 following the transfer of reigning NXR Southwest champion and Oklahoma State commit Lauren Ping to Division 4 program Valley Christian. Highland, which captured the Division 1 title last season, is the only Arizona team capable of competing for a top-five regional finish this fall. Mia Hall, a senior at Flagstaff and reigning Arizona state champion, has the potential to be a leading contender to qualify individually NXN. And the biggest obstacle and challenge for all of the teams from Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah could come from a veteran Arapahoe lineup, which didn’t attend NXR Southwest last season and took third at the RunningLane Championships in Alabama after capturing the Colorado 5A championship. Niwot was fifth at NXN in 2018 and third in 2019 and has continued to showcase the strength the past two years that would have kept the Cougars in podium contention in Oregon, but despite being a significant favorite again to win the 4A state title, the biggest challenge will be replacing the experience of four seniors from last year’s championship roster. Cherry Creek, which also has to overcome the graduation of four seniors, will be battling in Class 5A with Mountain Vista, Valor Christian and Air Academy – led by junior Bethany Michalak – all looking to dethrone Arapahoe. Pomona, led by senior Emma Stutzman, also remains as well. Two-time Colorado 3A state champion Katelyn Maley, a senior at Basalt, is a potential individual qualifier from the region as well. If all the elite Colorado programs decided to compete at NXR Southwest, along with Highland from Arizona and top Utah teams American Fork, Mountain View and Springville also racing in November, it has the potential to be the deepest regional meet in history. 1. Arapahoe CO. Although Cherry Creek has received the most national attention in the past three years in the Colorado 5A classification, it is Arapahoe that has won two of the past three state titles, including last year in impressive fashion by a 42-60 margin against the Bruins, before finishing third with 213 points at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Alabama, edging York High of Illinois by one point. Although reigning 4A champion Niwot won the girls team title at John Hunt Park, it is the returning experience of Arapahoe that provides the Warriors a slight edge early in the season. Emily Lamontagne, Ava Escorcia and Ava Mitchell still remain one of the most underrated trios in the nation, despite their postseason performances last year, including Lamontagne finishing 15th at RunningLane in one of the most talented fields in the country. The improvement of juniors Anna Bridges and Karli Holmes has made a significant impact for Arapahoe, which is also looking for strong support from senior Kayla Renner, in addition to juniors Carly Perdew and Lauryn Long. The Warriors are scheduled to travel Sept. 16 to California for the Woodbridge Classic in a potential showdown against Buchanan High in a rematch of their clash at RunningLane last season, with the Bears finishing runner-up behind Niwot. 2. Niwot CO. Despite graduating Eva Klingbeil, Stella Vieth and Sierra Parks from the lineup that won the RunningLane Championships in Alabama, in addition to veteran contributor Tessa Everett, Niwot still has more than enough remaining firepower to extend its dominance in the Colorado 4A classification, especially with Air Academy moving to 5A this season. Madison Shults is the most experienced senior on a Cougars’ roster with a deep junior class and several promising freshmen and sophomores. Shults and junior Mia Prok, along with sophomore Bella Nelson also gives Niwot plenty of firepower up front, supported by underrated junior competitors Olivia Alessandrini, Cayden Justice, Kendall Madine and Sarah Perkins, as well as senior Lex Bullen. But the most promising aspects of Niwot’s roster are the additions of freshmen Anna Prok and Addison Ritzenhein, who have the potential to develop into valuable contributors by the time the postseason arrives. With open races as part of the schedule Sept. 30 at the Desert Twilight Festival in Arizona, the full depth of Niwot’s roster will be on display, although time will be beneficial for the Cougars to determine their most formidable lineup come November. 3. Valor Christian CO. With a lineup that features senior Brooke Wilson and sophomore Keeghan Edwards leading the way, Valor Christian not only remains one of the top programs in the Colorado 5A classification, but also in the entire state and nationally as well, placing second at NXR Southwest and 14th overall at the RunningLane Championships last year. Wilson, a Wake Forest commit, placed 12th in Alabama and Edwards finished 19th. That was after Edwards secured second and Wilson took third at NXR Southwest, demonstrating how they are both capable of running in the lead pack in any race in the country this season. Senior Taylor Rorick also returns to provide valuable leadership for the Eagles, who now look to Dr. Jeff Cook to guide the program after several years under the direction of Greg Coplen. Juniors Jordan Blankenship, Gracie Prosceno and Bella Vogl gained meaningful experience competing in the postseason last year for Valor Christian, along with sophomore Caroline Dennis. Freshman Ellie Londo also has the potential to contribute for the Eagles, who took third in 5A last year behind Arapahoe and Cherry Creek, but could be in contention to place in the top two at the Oct. 29 state final. 4. Cherry Creek CO. The most successful graduating class in program history, featuring three-time 5A state champion Riley Stewart as well as Shelby Balding, Addison Laughlin and Claire Semerod, has left this year’s lineup with significant shoes and roles to fill, but the Bruins still carry the same ambition to be recognized as one of the elite teams in the state and country after placing second at the state championship meet and fifth at the RunningLane Championships last year, which followed their victory during the pandemic in 2020 at the XC Town USA Meet of Champions in Terre Haute, Ind. Senior Addison Price returns for Cherry Creek, in addition to junior Baylor Wolfe and sophomores Paisley Piepgras and Kinley Wolfe. Freshman Emily Cohen could be a significant addition to the Bruins’ roster, just like Piepgras was last season, with senior Alice Hamm also bringing experience to the lineup that looks to thrive in the underdog role against Arapahoe after several years of wearing the target as the 5A favorite. Cherry Creek will have a clearer idea of how competitive it can be after racing Sept. 10 at the Liberty Bell Invitational and Sept. 23 at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota. 5. Mountain Vista CO. It would be easy to overlook just how balanced the lineup is this season for the Golden Eagles, since they finished fourth at the Colorado 5A state final, sixth at NXR Southwest and 24th at the RunningLane Championships last year. But Mountain Vista is annually one of the most consistent programs in its state and throughout the region and the experience gained by the Golden Eagles last year makes this season no different. Although Mountain Vista is led by sophomore standout Peyton Adams, the team’s biggest advantage this year is the veteran presence of seniors Brooke Adams, Keira Gamily, Annie Romalia and Cayley Swaim. Junior Marin Smith also provides more depth, with sophomore Gracynn Smith looking to continue her improvement to make an impact in the postseason. Jessica Derickson, a junior, and freshman Carly Christians could also develop into valuable contributors for the Golden Eagles, who will be challenged at all the significant invitationals in Colorado in preparation for regional competition Nov. 19 in Arizona. Although American Fork High from Utah won the Southwest Regional title last year, graduating four athletes from that lineup is the biggest factor in Mountain Vista being recognized ahead of the Utah 6A state champions. WATCHLIST More news |
