Since this is the best XC team by state, and since there has been a national championship tournament held since the early 80s, performance at that level should carry a lot of weight.
So, Michigan has probably performed stronger than any other state per capita with 7 championships and a strong runner-up performance:
1. Dathan Ritzenhein- 2X FLCC Champion, winning in 14:29 as a junior over a loaded field, and then 14:35 winning by 20 seconds over an arch rival and legend (Webb)...both in Orlando...14:35 at Kenosha FLMW course bested his own 14:55 record from his junior year...14:10 on MI state meet course is probably fastest cross country performance ever by a high schooler...the following year's FLCC Champ was :56 seconds back...second best time all time is Jason Hartmann at 14:51...also finished 3rd at World Cross Juniors, which hasn't even been approached by an American again, and frankly never will as long as Kenyans and Ethiopians reign.
2. Grant Fisher- 2X FLCC Champion, winning in more moderate times with completely different style and much more leg speed than Ritz...both at Balboa...best time of 14:43 at Portage Invite, which is 1 second slower than Ritz' best from his senior year...played competitive soccer (made Olympic Development team) through his entire junior year.
3. Todd Williams- 2nd place at FLCC to Marc Davis, running 14:49 at Balboa...consistent 15:00 runner and 9:00 two miler...not a lot of leg speed, but aerobic animal...Olympian at 10000m...finished 9th at World Cross when they only had one long, grueling race.
4. Brian Grosso- FLCC Champion, winning by 7 seconds in 15:03 at Balboa...ran 8:56-:58 for 3200m I believe.
5. Tim Moore- FLCC Champion, winning in a kick over Bobby Lockhart in 14:50 in Orlando...I believe that was the only sub 15:00 for him...ran around 8:58 for 2 miles.
6. Abdul Alzindani- FLCC Champion, winning by 12 seconds in 15:12 at Balboa after coming up along side Sharif Karie in the homestretch, who ended up falling...I don't believe he ever broke 15:00...may have threatened 9:00 for 3200m.