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High School Regional Rankings Girls XC 2023 - 9/21Published by
Girls Regional Rankings - 9/21/2023 By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Downers Grove North demonstrated Sept. 9 that it deserved to be in the conversation among the leading contenders for the Illinois 3A state title and an NXR Midwest automatic qualifying berth by defeating both York and Prospect at the Lake Park Harvey Braus Classic, with the three programs separated by 10 points. The Trojans then gained even more credibility Sept. 16 by edging York and Prospect again at the Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiller Park, this time with only a three-point margin among the impressive trio. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Downers Grove North’s victory at the Richard Spring Invitational was the Trojans prevailing with 66 points – ahead of York’s 68-point effort and Prospect’s 69-point performance – without sophomore Lily Eddington in the lineup. Eddington had been the top finisher for Downers Grove North at its first three meets at the EIU Showdown, followed by the Lyons Township Mike Kuharic Invitational and Lake Park Harvey Braus Classic. Without Eddington in the lineup at the Richard Spring Invitational, McKenzie Willard, Sarah Paul, Audrey Casten, Ava Gilley and Alayna Todnem all finished in the top 20 to secure the victory. All three teams are expected to square off again Saturday at the Palatine Invite - Meet of Champions at Deer Grove East. Downers Grove North is one of three new teams atop their respective regionals, along with Lucas Lovejoy High from Texas in the South and JSerra in California. Although reigning California Division 4 state champion JSerra placed second behind Air Academy of Colorado on Sept. 16 at the 42nd Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., the Lions prevailed against defending Division 1 state champ Buchanan, which took third in the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race. Brynn Garcia, Summer Wilson, Kaylah Tasser, Anne Elise Packard and Reese Holley all finished in the top 60 in the Bob Day sweepstakes race for JSerra, with a 25-second spread among the Lions’ five scorers. JSerra is only expected to develop more depth and a more versatile lineup in October with the additions of Santa Margarita transfer Sophie Polay and Xavier College Prep transfer Chloe Elbaz following their mandatory 30-day sit out periods according to CIF Southern Section rules. Despite Lucas Lovejoy remaining at home in Texas to host its own meet, instead of competing along with Southlake Carroll, Flower Mound, Conroe The Woodlands and Austin Vandegrift at Woodbridge in California, the Leopards ascended to the top spot in the South. Lucas Lovejoy’s dominant performance Sept. 16 at the Fall Festival at Myers Park, combined with a two-point victory Aug. 26 against Southlake Carroll at the Dragons’ home meet, in addition to Flower Mound senior Nicole Humphries still sidelined and yet to make her season debut, contributed to the two-time 5A state champion Leopards moving in front of the 6A powers. Sara Morefield, Camryn Benson, Kailey Littlefield, Peyton Benson and Bridget Bernal all placed in the top 12 for Lucas Lovejoy in the elite race, with the five scorers separated by 52 seconds. Flower Mound is scheduled to host its own invitational Saturday, with Lucas Lovejoy and Southlake Carroll expected to race head to head Sept. 30 at the Chile Pepper Festival in Arkansas. Following remarkable victories at both the Liberty Bell Invitational and with their performance in the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race at Woodbridge, reigning 5A state champion Air Academy has closed the gap on Colorado rival Niwot in the Southwest, with the programs not only battling for the top spot in the region, but the country as well. Niwot, winner of five consecutive 4A state titles, was impressive in its first test Sept. 16 at the St. Vrain Invitational against Mountain Vista, with Addison Ritzenhein and Olivia Alessandrini finishing first and second overall. The Cougars will look to defend its title in the sweepstakes race Sept. 29 at the Desert Twilight Festival in Arizona. Lone Peak High from Utah also bolstered its lineup with the return of reigning 6A state champion and NXR Southwest winner Andie Aagard to the Knights’ lineup Sept. 16 at the Border Wars XC Invitational at Sugar House Park. Aagard won her season debut and Lone Peak had four athletes place in the top six, along with five scorers in the top 20. In addition to a fourth-place finish in the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race by Cuthbertson High of North Carolina at Woodbridge, several other Southeast programs excelled Sept. 16 at the adidas XC Challenge at WakeMed Soccer Complex in North Carolina and the Southern Showcase at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. Cardinal Gibbons of North Carolina had five scorers in the top 20 to triumph at the adidas XC Challenge, led by individual winner Hannah Rae Shaffer, with Brentwood High of Tennessee also placing five athletes in the top 20 with a 17-second spread to prevail at the Southern Showcase. The strength of the Heartland Region will be on display Friday at the 37th Roy Griak Invitational at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minnesota. The Bob Firman Invitational on Saturday at Eagle Island State Park in Idaho will provide great opportunities for many teams in the Northwest to preview the regional course, in addition to top programs from California and Utah also expected to attend. The Manchester Invitational held Saturday at Derryfield Park in New Hampshire will showcase several strong programs in the Northeast Region, along with the Bowdoin Classic in New York and Ocean State Invitational in Rhode Island highlighting elite programs in New York and the Northeast as well.
CALIFORNIA HEARTLAND MIDWEST 4. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran IN NEW YORK NORTHEAST NORTHWEST SOUTH SOUTHEAST 3. Webb School of Knoxville TN SOUTHWEST More news |
