Photo by Mike Piotrowski
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
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!
1. Severna Park High School Falcons (Severna Park, MD)
Photo by Craig Amoss
County: Anne Arundel (1st) Region: 4A East (1st)
Top Seven Returners:
1. Nick Engleman (senior): 16:00 5K, 4:28 1600, 9:51 3200
2. Nick Benedict (sophomore): 16:00 5K, 4:33 1600, 9:42 3200
3. Jake Gelfand (junior): 16:05 5K, 4:34 1600, 9:46 3200
4. James Dennison (senior): 16:20 5K, 9:44 3200
5. James Louie (junior): 16:49 5K, 4:40 1600, 10:15 3200
6. Philip Bansemer (junior): 16:57 5K, 4:51 1600, 10:13 3200
7. Reid Figlioli (junior): 17:03 5K, 4:47 1600, 10:28 3200
Others to Watch:
James Glebocki (sophomore): 17:26 5K, 4:44 1600, 10:26 3200
Carson Sloat (junior): 17:27 5K, 1:56 1600, 4:28 3200
Colm O'Connor (sophomore): 4:41 1600, 10:24 3200
In 2012, junior Ryan Forsyth finished second at the 4A State championships - with one shoe, no less - and the Severna Park boys ended Walter Johnson's four-year state title streak. It was the beginning of a three-peat for the Falcons and their first of five titles in seven years. In fact, 2010 was the only year this decade that they didn't finish at least second at the state meet.
Entering 2019, not much figures to change, even after graduating four of their seven runners from last year's state championship squad. Their two Nicks - senior Engleman and sophomore Benedict - will lead the way, along with junior Jake Gelfand (above), who finished eighth at the state meet (his 16:27 time was the best among sophomores across all classifications).
As usual, the Falcons also have an embarrassment of depth behind their top returners. They are the only team with at least five returning runners who have run under 17 minutes, and only River Hill can match their four returners with sub-10:00 performances. Keep an eye on junior Carson Sloat, whose breakout sophomore track season included a 1:56 800 and a hand in the Falcons' 4x800 state title in May.