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National High School Boys Team Rankings - 11/14Published by
Race For The Top Is On As Nation's Top Teams Show Their Cards At State Championship Meets By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor There is, this week, a debate worth having about the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Christian Brothers Academy's performance on Saturday at Holmdel Park, where it scored 21 points at its NJSIAA Group final, is equal to anything achieved by reigning national champion Herriman of Utah, which has been idle since winning its state championship on Oct. 30. It's a really close call this week. But I'm sticking with Herriman for now and keeping a close eye on what happens at the New Jersey Meet of Champions on Saturday. Herriman will next compete on Nov. 23 at the NXR Southwest regional. That will be more than three weeks between races and its possible that Herriman is getting better each day to match the gains shown by by CBA. What's clear is that if Herriman is going to win a second consecutive NXN title, it's not going to be easy. Christian Brothers, led by veteran Joe Barrett, might seriously have what it takes to win a second national championship, just like 2011. The first of the NXR regionals, the Heartland, brought a victory to Kansas. Spring Hill is into the rankings at No. 23 and ready took their flight to Portland. Other movers this week include Downers Grove North, which won the Illinois state meet and looks like a clear favorite to win Sunday's NXR Midwest title in Terre Haute. DGN can make it three straight appearances at NXN if it can finish in the top two at LaVern Gibson Championship Course. As if the Southwest wasn't loaded enough, Hamilton of Arizona gives the region a fourth team in the top 10 after a stellar state meet performance in which Zarian Rodriguez won the Division 1 race and led the team to a score of 26 points. Ridgefield CT took a big step forward with its winning performance at the New England Championships and now looks like the leading contender to finish second behind CBA at the NXR Northeast meet. The New York state meet is one of the few yet to be contested and will roll out on Saturday. Colonie Central, the Section 2 champion, looks to be the favorite. The NXR Northwest regional on Saturday in Idaho features No. 12 Coeur d'Alene, No. 13 Crater and No. 16 Jesuit. The fight for the top two automatic qualifying spots there could be very close. Crater's Josiah Tostenson, one of the top runners in the country, is recovering from the flu and his health could be one of the factors that determines the outcome. Mercer Island, the Class 3A champion led by Owen Powell, is also in the picture. The Top 30 More news |
