Here is my watchlist for each region, each one separated into an A tier and a B tier list (not in any particular order) with A tier meaning could challenge for NXN top 15, and B tier meaning could get to NXN on a good day:
Northwest:
A tier - Crater, Coeur D'Alene, Rocky Mountain, Franklin, Jesuit
B tier - Kamiakin, Boise, Seattle Prep, Eastlake
As far as the NW teams go, on another thread someone said one of the other Boise teams is getting a couple solid transfers that will help them enter the NXR discussion. It’ll be interesting to see if it pans out.
Issaquah has an impressive top 5 of non-senior 3200 times that could put them in the discussion as well.
Bozeman MT should be on this list too.
They took 5th at NXR after graduating almost their whole squad.
They return 3 of their top 5, and also these guys: Johnson - 4:39 Anderson - 4:40 / 10:10 Posdon - 4:41
Girls predictions 1- Andie Aagard. Won the NXR SW region in her first year of running ever. With another year of experience she should be able to win the entire thing.
No track results for her this spring. We will see if she does XC in the fall. It will help Lone Peak a lot if she does
Here is my watchlist for each region, each one separated into an A tier and a B tier list (not in any particular order) with A tier meaning could challenge for NXN top 15, and B tier meaning could get to NXN on a good day:
Northwest:
A tier - Crater, Coeur D'Alene, Rocky Mountain, Franklin, Jesuit
B tier - Kamiakin, Boise, Seattle Prep, Eastlake
California:
A tier - Great Oak, Ventura, San Clemente, Trabuco Hills
B tier - Newbury Park, Granada, Crescenta Valley
Southwest:
A tier - American Fork, Herriman, Niwot, Lone Peak
B tier - Mountain View, Corner Canyon, Valor Christian, Riverton
Midwest:
A tier - Noblesville, Downers Grove, Carmel
B - tier - Mason, Plainfield
Southeast:
A tier - Belen Jesuit, University, McCallie, Calvert Hall College
B tier - The Bolles School, Brentwood, Farragut
Northeast:
A tier - Christian Brothers Academy
B tier - Episcopal Academy, North Allegheny
New York:
At least on the guys side, this whole region is looking very weak for next year.
Southlake:
A tier - Southlake Carroll, Jesuit LA, The Woodlands,
B tier - Grapevine, Austin Vandergrift, Coppell
A team to include in the South region
Bentonville AR James American Horse (12) - 9:17 Matthew Shelly (11) - 9:25 Owen Kelley (11) - 9:25 Eli Seavy (12) - 4:23 Payton Brack (12) - 16:02 XC. No track results Harper Jones (11) - 4:31 / 16:29 XC Carter Beasley (11) - 9:52 / 4:36
But don’t be surprised if the Union Catholic boys team qualifies too (with healthy Wischusen) They return these 1600 times: 4:15 (Wischusen), 4:22, 4:26, 4:27, 4:27, 4:31, 4:33, 4:38 And every year there seems to be a new transfer joining and scoring for Union Catholic
I wonder if Jesuit LA’s state meet will be near the time of NXR South again, and how this will affect their decision on whether to go to NXR or choose RunningLane (if it’s hosted again)
I wonder how Phillips Exter will do. They return: Grevious - 14:04 5k outdoor - 12 Huang - 9:41 3200 - 12 Hutchins - 9:58 3200 - 12 Goodall - 10:19 3200 - 12 Momula - 10:25 3200 - 12 LaCombe - 4:21 mile - 12 Welch - 4:44 1600 - 10 Covert - 4:44 1600 - 11 Zhu - 4:54 1600 - 12 Last year they were 4-deep and only a 5th man away from making NXN. They lose 2 of their top 4. That leaves many holes on the team and will need more people to step up even more
I will be curious how Niwot will do and if they will make it to NXN this year.
Southwest region has American Fork and Herriman as the main contenders.
If this region gets at-large team bids, some teams fighting for them will be Riverton, Lone Peak, and Niwot. Mountain Vista always seems to reload and peak during postseason. Orem and Valor Christian look interesting as well.
Niwot will have no seniors on varsity this year. In 2024 they will be challenging for the NXN title