Photo by Craig Amoss
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
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)
Our 2019 preseason XC power rankings continue with the 21st-30th 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!
30. Thomas S. Wootton High School Patriots (Rockville, MD)
The Patriots graduated nearly their entire varsity team from last fall. However, history suggests that rising senior Franklin Joseph De Jong (above) and company will be able to step in; they have finished in the top five at the Montgomery County Championships in each of the past seven years. (Photo by John Roemer)
County: Montgomery (9th) Region: 4A West (6th)
Top Seven Returners: Franklin Joseph Dejong, Jason Wang, Armaan Salchak, Peyton Eppard, David Weiss, Edward Keenan, Benjamin Fritz
29. Northern-Calvert High School Patriots (Owings, MD)
The Northern girls may garner more attention - winning three straight state titles will do that - but the boys return most of their squad that finished ninth at last year's 3A state meet. Among the returners is Cameron King, who clocked a top-ten 1600 time (4:42) among freshmen this past spring. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: SMAC (2nd) Region: 3A South (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Steven Brissette, Gabe Amisano, Jaylin Ruckman, Fynn Yankanich, Cameron King, A.J. Barber, Justin Dowell
Others to Watch: Sam Foltz, Aiden Murphy
28. Loyola-Blakefield High School Dons (Towson, MD)
The defending MIAA champions will have their work cut out for them in 2019, as rising senior Hayden Roberts is the only returning runner from last year's victorious varsity squad. An interesting note: there has only been one year (2016) this decade in which no Loyola runner broke 16 minutes in the 5K. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: MIAA (3rd)
Top Seven Returners: Hayden Roberts, Quinn Griffith, Irenge Nkere, J.D. Funck, Declan McGeady, Patrick Filar, Colin Verrett
Others to Watch: Ian Rego
27. Williamsport High School Wildcats (Williamsport, MD)
The Williamsport boys look like 1A state title favorites heading into the 2019 season, led by senior Zane Chalker. The Wildcats last won a boys state title in 1975 - though they were runners-up in both 2011 and 2012. (Photo by Lisa McArthur)
County: Washington (1st) Region: 1A West (1st)
Top Seven Returners: Zane Chalker, A.J. Miller, Aaryan Shah, Gabe Conder, Chris Mackley, Griffin Knipp, Zach Starr
Others to Watch: Deandre Rose
26. South Carroll High School Cavaliers (Sykesville, MD)
The third of the Cave brothers to make their mark at South Carroll, senior Brendan could join Brian and Jason in finishing in the top ten at the state meet. Brian (class of 2016) was a two-time state champion (cross country and outdoor 3200). (Photo by John Roemer)
County: Carroll (2nd) Region: 2A West (3rd)
Top Seven Returners: John Kettula, Benjamin Lausch, Brendan Cave, Patrick Tunkel, Spencer Cole, Trevor Swope, Sam Robinson
25. Arundel High School Wildcats (Gambrills, MD)
Indoor state 800 champion Tanner Piotrowski is one of the top returning runners in Maryland, but Arundel also ranks highly due to their improved depth over the past few years. Their next four returning runners ran between 17:30 and 18:22 last fall. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
County: Anne Arundel (4th) Region: 4A East (5th)
Top Seven Returners: Tanner Piotrowski, William McDougall, Ethan Binkley, Ryan Pohland, Jack Delaney, Taha Jazzaa, Justin Juste-Cooke
Others to Watch: Zack Chelidona, Justin Kouroupis, Jared Dolinka, Cooper Quinn
24. Broadneck High School Bruins (Annapolis, MD)
Spencer Tate is one of two returning runners (along with South River's Sam Keeny) to have finished in the top 15 at the 4A state meet in 2017 and 2018. The Bruins also feature depth; seven returning runners broke five minutes in the 1600 this past spring. (Photo by Mike Piotrowski)
County: Anne Arundel (3rd) Region: 4A East (4th)
Top Seven Returners: Spencer Tate, Henry Taylor, Aidan Rand, Austin Greenlee, Noah Heim, Christopher Eckels, Zephyr Crestwell
Others to Watch: Patrick Redmond, Zachary Frame
23. Chopticon High School Braves (Morganza, MD)
The Wedding brothers are both state title contenders, but Chopticon can also be a team threat because, like Arundel, the depth has also improved recently. Blake Davis and Douglas Hooper were both medalists at last year's 3A South regional meet. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: SMAC (1st) Region: 3A South (1st)
Top Seven Returners: Zachary Wedding, Jeffrey Wedding, Blake Davis, Douglas Hoover, Weston Van Erp, Clay Bowser, Myles Wall
Others to Watch: Brandon Davis, Benjamin Mushrush
22. Montgomery Blair High School Blazers (Silver Spring, MD)
The Blazers have depth on their side - six returning runners broke 18 minutes in the 5K last fall. Their fifth returner, Max Worley, won the Montgomery County B Championship 1600 in May with a personal-best 4:35 effort. (Photo by John Roemer)
County: Montgomery (8th) Region: 4A North (4th)
Top Seven Returners: Joel Simpson, Gabriel Worthington, Ryan Carlson, Ryan Temple, Esrom Weldegiorgis, Max Worley, Massimo Cardillo
Others to Watch: Noam Aviv, Edward Lyness
21. Sherwood High School Warriors (Sandy Spring, MD)
In a star-studded, senior-laden field at last year's Montgomery County Championships, sophomore Jack Anderson broke out for Sherwood, finishing sixth. The Warriors are one of just three teams (along with Severna Park and Oakdale) with two returners who ran under 16:40. (Photo by Dasam Gill)
County: Montgomery (7th) Region: 4A North (3rd)
Top Seven Returners: Sean Enright, Jack Anderson, Eamon Plante, Ian Gormley, Justin Hayes-Puttfarcken, Noam Tuchman, Ryan Loiacono