Photo by Lisa McArthur
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
Wednesday, August 7th: Boys 41-50
Thursday, August 8th: Boys 31-40
Friday, August 9th: Boys 21-30
Saturday, August 10th: Boys 11-20
Sunday, August 11th - Tuesday, August 20th: Boys 1-10 (one a day)
Wednesday, August 21st: Girls 41-50
Thursday, August 22nd: Girls 31-40
Friday, August 23rd: Girls 21-30
Saturday, August 24th: Girls 11-20
Sunday, August 25th - Tuesday, September 3rd: Girls 1-10 (one a day)
Wednesday, September 4th: Boys Classification/Private School (top 15 each)
Thursday, September 5th: Girls Classification/Private School (top 15 each)
We're kicking off our 2019 preseason XC power rankings with the 41st - 50th boys teams. These rankings are subjective and based on last year's performances (season bests, plus performances at big meets like conferences and states), track performances, program depth and reputation (how certain programs stay strong year after year).
We will rank the top 50 boys and girls teams heading into the season, then provide weekly top 25 ranking updates!
Top seven returners are based on last year's 5K or three mile season bests. Other runners to watch include those with standout track performances (relative to the rest of the team), unless those runners have run multiple track seasons without running cross country - we don't want to assume they will be running cross country in the fall. Freshmen or rookies who did not run cross country but did run track are usually included.
Use these rankings to preview your rival teams, debate your friends, and lace up those shoes and prove us wrong about your team!
50. Leonardtown High School Raiders (Leonardtown, MD)
Nick Grooms led the Raiders as a sophomore last year, finishing 12th at the SMAC Championships and 22nd at the regional meet. The Raiders placed seventh out of 11 teams at the 4A East meet, two points behind Old Mill for the final team qualifying spot. (Photo by Mike Piotrowski)
Conference: SMAC (5th) Region: 4A East (6th)
Top Seven Returners: Nick Grooms, Albert Stumm, Brandon Grabenstein, Zach Palma, Evan Murph, Andrew Sukhram, Rory Coll
Others to Watch: Will Standish, Kurt Perrygo
49. St. Paul's High School Crusaders (Brooklandville, MD)
Zachary Walker's sophomore cross country season ended in September, but he returned strong in the spring to finish second in the 3200 in the B Conference at the MIAA Championships, behind his teammate Ian Coleman. He also finished third in the 800 and 1600. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: MIAA (7th)
Top Seven Returners: Zachary Walker, T.J. Linz, Jack Cook, Timmy Wilcox, Max McCarty, Hao Cui, Trevor Schreibeis
Others to Watch: Jamie Haven
48. Mount St. Joseph High School Gaels (Baltimore, MD)
The Gaels lost their top three runners from last year's team, but one of the deepest private school programs in the state is still in good shape. They return five boys who ran 4:55 or faster in the 1600 last spring. (Photo by Lisa McArthur)
Conference: MIAA (6th)
Top Seven Returners: Michael Vartain, Kevin Zaleski, Sean Miller, Will Sakowicz, Nick DeLauro, Tony Boscolo, Reza Farjami
47. Paint Branch High School Panthers (Burtonsville, MD)
The Panthers lost their top four runners from last year's team that finished second at the Montgomery County Championships. However, they still have the depth, led by senior James Plunkett and junior Yosef Tsigie (above), to contend for a top-ten spot in the county. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
County: Montgomery (13th) Region: 4A North (6th)
Top Seven Returners: James Plunkett, Yosef Tsigie, Yabsira Gugsa, Raynold Dalton, Nathan Quinn, Fasil Bezie, Kirubel Demissie
Others to Watch: Kuma Demisse, Yakob Ermias
46. Southern Garrett High School Rams (Oakland, MD)
Drew Helbig has finished in the top 15 at the 1A State championships in each of the past two seasons. Along with Griffin Horner, the Rams have two runners who finished in the top ten last November. The Southern Garrett boys are usually strongest at Hereford, given their hilly training grounds in western Maryland. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: AMAC (1st) Region: 1A West (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Drew Helbig, Griffin Horner, Brayden Warnick, Brady Horner, Joseph Orr, Sam Kennedy, Jake Sweitzer
Others to Watch: Gabe Hebb
45. North Harford High School Hawks (Pylesville, MD)
William Tikiob picked up his first regional title last year at the 2A East championship. He's been a medalist at the state meet in each of the past two seasons, and is seeking to become the school's first top-ten finisher since Nick Fransham set the modern Hereford course record in 2014. (Photo by John Roemer)
Conference: UCBAC (5th) Region: 2A East (4th)
Top Seven Returners: William Tikiob, Ethan Sweaney, Dylan Kapustensky, Jason Ramsland, Garrett Ulmer, Zachary Jackson, Tristin Charron
Others to Watch: Colin Smith
44. North Point High School Eagles (Waldorf, MD)
As a sophomore, Joshua Doughty placed third at the SMAC Championships, and should be one of the top contenders for this year's title along with the Wedding brothers from Chopticon. North Point's move to 3A means he could be a state title contender as well. (Photo by Dasam Gill)
Conference: SMAC (4th) Region: 3A South (4th)
Top Seven Returners: Joshua Doughty, Devion Bryant, Adam Price, Fernando Avila, Andrew Cullen, Kristof Lile, Derrick Hollie
43. Huntingtown High School Hurricanes (Huntingtown, MD)
Could Conor McGirr be one of this year's breakout cross country stars as a senior? He was a medalist at the 3A state meet last season, but truly shined on the track when he captured his first state title in the indoor 1600. (Photo by John Roemer)
Conference: SMAC (3rd) Region: 3A South (3rd)
Top Seven Returners: Conor McGirr, Thomas Foulkes, Giuliano Guttadauro, Harrison Faidley, Owen Reed, Ian Hays, Samuel Hill
Others to Watch: Carson Kyle, Patrick Zawislak, Daniel Russell
42. McDonogh High School Eagles (Owings Mills, MD)
Spencer Pett was one of the state's top non-seniors in the 800 this spring, clocking 1:56.28 at the MIAA Championships. The Eagles also have some potential depth; all five of the "other runners to watch" broke five minutes in the 1600 this spring to complement their top returners. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: MIAA (5th)
Top Seven Returners: Noah Dunleavy, Spencer Pett, Matthew Robins, Caleb Dixon, Isaiah Kessler, Aidan Walton, Clem Palevich
Others to Watch: Luke Wagner, Andrew Lang, Evan Malinow, Adam Snyder, Jacob Murrell
41. Poolesville High School Falcons (Poolesville, MD)
Christopher Stallard finished 15th in the sophomore race at DCXC and 61st at last year's state meet. But it was on the track - where he ran 10:14 in the 3200 - where he flashed potential as the second part of a dynamic 1-2 duo along with Sam Bodmer. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
County: Montgomery (12th) Region: 2A West (5th)
Top Seven Returners: Sam Bodmer, Christopher Stallard, Daniel Ponciano, Garrett Gularson, Luka Brizhik, Elias Izmirlian, McCleary Gallagher
Others to Watch: Linfred Kingston