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National High School Girls Team Rankings - 9/28Published by
Union Catholic achieves biggest girls cross country win in program history by knocking off reigning national champion Saratoga Springs of New York at Ocean State Invitational in Rhode Island; Southwest Region, especially Colorado, continues to demonstrate impressive depth, as top-ranked Niwot heads to Desert Twilight Festival By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor Union Catholic is one of the most decorated girls track and field programs in U.S. prep history, producing several New Jersey all-time marks and national records during the past decade. But it wasn’t until last year that the Vikings even captured their first New Jersey Meet of Champions girls cross country title in program history. Union Catholic followed that achievement with a debut appearance at Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, placing 22nd overall, more than 450 points behind national champion Saratoga Springs of New York. Less than 10 months later, Union Catholic not only knocked off the Blue Streaks – winner of three NXN crowns in program history, including the past two titles – by a 32-45 margin at the Ocean State Invitational at Goddard Park East in Rhode Island, but handed Saratoga Springs its first loss competing with a full lineup since 2019. Not only is it the biggest victory in Vikings’ cross country history, but one of the most remarkable performances by any New Jersey girls program, regardless of gender. Union Catholic freshman Paige Sheppard was second on the 5-kilometer layout in 17:35.3, trailing only Saratoga Springs senior Emily Bush (17:32.7). Peyton Hollis, a Duke commit, clocked 18:02.4 and fellow senior Courtney Kaiser ran 18:08.3 for the Vikings, who had freshman Cayleigh Kaiser achieve an 18:36.4 effort and sophomores Ella Solorzano, Emmy O’Hearn and Jimmiea King all finish in the top half of the 125-athlete field. Only two New Jersey girls teams – Roxbury taking ninth in 2005 and Colts Neck placing fourth in 2006 – have finished in the top 10 in Nike Team Nationals and NXN history, with Union Catholic not only looking to capture its first NXR Northeast title Nov. 25 at Bowdoin Park in New York against last year’s winner North Allegheny of Pennsylvania, but make more history with a potential return trip Dec. 2 to Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland. North Allegheny delivered a dominant performance Sept. 23 in its victory at the PIAA Foundation Invitational. Colorado, California and Texas account for eight of the top 11 teams in the country, but Illinois has also showcased impressive depth during the past month with Barrington, Downers Grove North and York all earning significant victories against reigning 3A state champion Prospect. York earned the Sept. 23 win at the Palatine Meet of Champions at Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Lone Peak of Utah, despite competing short-handed, still won convincingly Sept. 22 at the TwiKnight Invitational, continuing its momentum following a Sept. 16 triumph at the Border Wars Invitational. The Knights remain the elite girls team in Utah and will be a formidable challenger Nov. 18 at the Nike Southwest Regional against Colorado programs Niwot and Air Academy. Niwot is scheduled to make the first of two trips to Arizona on Friday at the Desert Twilight Festival at the Toka Sticks Golf Course in Mesa, seeking a third consecutive sweepstakes title. Lucas Lovejoy from Texas has won all three meets this season, including a victory Sept. 23 at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree and the Leopards will look to make it four in a row with a potential repeat Saturday at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Arkansas. Jesuit High was impressive Sept. 23 in the inaugural Mook XC Invite at Alderbrook, with Oregon rival Lincoln High capturing the elite championship by handing Boise Senior a rare setback on Idaho soil at the Bob Firman Invitational. Wayzata of Minnesota repeated Sept. 22 at the Roy Griak Invitational with another come-from-behind victory, this time to prevail in the inaugural girls championship race after winning the gold title last season. Olathe West was victorious Sept. 23 at the Rim Rock Classic in Kansas and will have an opportunity to square off Saturday against Lucas Lovejoy at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival. Bethlehem Central from New York triumphed Sept. 23 at the Queensbury Invitational.
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