Photo by John Roemer
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
Saturday, August 17th - 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 top ten 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!
4. Liberty High School Lions (Sykesville, MD)
Photo by John Roemer
County: Carroll (1st) Region: 2A West (1st)
Top Seven Returners:
1. Woodrow Kashima (senior): 16:48 5K, 4:39 1600, 10:06 3200
2. Connor Stewart (senior): 17:06 5K
3. Jake Beaumier (senior): 17:31 5K, 2:05 800, 4:38 1600
4. Jake Lucas (junior): 17:48 5K, 2:13 800, 4:48 1600
5. Gavin Edson (senior): 17:57 5K
6. Sean Armstrong (senior): 18:21 5K, 2:21 800, 5:07 1600
7. Matthew Grimelli (senior): 18:21 5K
Others to Watch:
Trent Taylor (junior): 18:25 5K, 2:21 800, 4:53 1600
The last time a boys team won five straight Maryland state cross country titles was from 1993-97 when Southern Garrett captured five straight 1A trophies. This year, however, the Liberty boys have a shot at making history as they enter having won four straight 2A state titles. Even better news for them is that last year's runners-up from River Hill won't be back in 2A this year to try and dethrone the Lions.
Of course, that might not even matter given their consistency and solid returning group. Daniel Saxon - who finished in the top five at the state meet in all four years at Liberty - graduated, but their next five runners from last year's state-championship team are back. Don't focus too much on the 5K times, because the Liberty boys seem to run best when it matters the most - their five top returners ran between 16:54 and 17:42 on a state course that slows most runners down.
Seniors Connor Stewart and Woodrow Kashima are two of the top ten returning 2A runners from last year's state meet. Jake Beaumier owns the team's top returning 1600 time at 4:38, while Jake Lucas is the only non-senior among the team's top seven returners. Another runner to watch could be Trent Taylor, who clocked a 4:53 1600 on the track in the spring and helps boost the team's depth.