Photo by John Roemer
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
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 girls 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. Notre Dame Prep High School Blazers (Towson, MD)
The Notre Dame Prep girls finished second at the IAAM Championships last season and return much of that team, led by junior Julia Merriman (middle, number 814). Merriman has finished third at the IAAM Championships in each of her first two seasons as a Blazer. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Conference: IAAM (3rd)
Top Seven Returners: Julia Merriman, Louisa Gillam, Kayla Schatz, Zoe Roros, Olivia Feiss, Megan Weaver, Leah Cirincione
Others to Watch: Maddie Rinker, Maggie Williams
29. Edgewood High School Rams (Edgewood, MD)
The Edgewood girls will be locked in a tough region this year - there are still four teams ranked ahead of them heading into the season - but they can still make plenty of noise at the state meet where they finished ninth last fall. The Rams have two returners (Michaela Crue, above, and Anna Decker) who finished in the top 30 at last year's 3A State championships. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
Conference: UCBAC (3rd) Region: 3A North (5th)
Top Seven Returners: Michaela Crue, Madison Buddenbohm, Anna Decker, Mary Crue, Kathryn Rambo, Sara Gorski, Samantha Kennedy
Others to Watch: Delaney Saulsbury, Caleigh Abbe
28. Annapolis High School Panthers (Annapolis, MD)
Katie Ericson (32nd at last year's state meet) and the Annapolis girls have the depth to rebound from losing one of the top runners in the state in Anna Coffin. The 4A East regional could be the most dramatic regional meet in the state - with 11 teams, only six will qualify, meaning one of the seven teams in our top 30 won't get to punch a ticket to the state meet. (Photo by Mike Piotrowski)
County: Anne Arundel (5th) Region: 4A East (7th)
Top Seven Returners: Katie Ericson, Audrey Walters, Eva Coleman, Amyah Anderson, Fiona Coleman, Isabella Chase, Ashley Laing
Others to Watch: Emily Carrigan
27. River Hill High School Hawks (Clarksville, MD)
The River Hill girls could move up in the rankings quickly if they show some more improved depth behind junior Faith Meininger. The Hawks won the 3A East regional meet the last time they were in the region in 2016. (Photo by Lisa McArthur)
County: Howard (3rd) Region: 3A East (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Faith Meininger, Katherine Kitzinger, Chloe McGeehan, Kennedy Clark, Parisa Tofigh, Amina El-Ashry, Michelle Lei
26. Sherwood High School Warriors (Sandy Spring, MD)
With sophomore Katie Kaneko (middle, number 1376) leading the way, the Sherwood girls have a chance to be a force in Montgomery County. They have had some close calls over the past few seasons, but the last time they cracked the top five at the county championships was back in 2010. (Photo by Lisa McArthur)
County: Montgomery (6th) Region: 4A North (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Katie Kaneko, Emily Gravell, Christy Tang, Molly Niverth, Alexandra Burdette, Michelle Guevara, Brenna Henderson
Others to Watch: Marissa Harris
25. Centennial High School Eagles (Ellicott City, MD)
The winners of three of the last four 3A East regional titles lost a couple of key contributors, but the Eagles are never short on depth. They had 12 girls run 6:05 or faster this past spring, six of which did not graduate. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
County: Howard (2nd) Region: 3A East (1st)
Top Seven Returners: Katerina Talanova, Michelle Weaver, Apoorva Ajith, Sophie Shimeall, Sarah Paraz, Sara Jurkovic, Helen Monroe
Others to Watch: Madelyn Mielke
24. Arundel High School Wildcats (Gambrills, MD)
Senior Kirstin Nichols could be an X-factor for the Wildcats in the 4A East gauntlet this season. Nichols finished 27th at the 4A State championship as a sophomore, and a return to form behind fellow senior Lindsay Wingeart (20th at the state meet last fall) could help Arundel creep close to the top five at the state meet this fall. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
County: Anne Arundel (4th) Region: 4A East (6th)
Top Seven Returners: Lindsay Wingeart, Annah Krol, Niya Torres, Laila Denning, Lianna Lincoln, Lauren Patrick, Josephine McWhorter
Others to Watch: Kirstin Nichols, Jillian Lopez, Molly Kloss, Katherine Leddy
23. Maryvale Prep High School Lions (Timonium, MD)
The IAAM runners-up return five of their top six runners from that team, including junior Mackey Fick (middle). The Lions are also deep, with seven returning girls who ran under 6:00 in the 1600 this past spring. (Photo by John Roemer)
Conference: IAAM (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Rachel Thomas, Anna Atticks, Mackey Fick, Meghan Sullivan, Kyleigh Leboutiller, Amelia Derr, Corinne Quaerna
Others to Watch: Katie Shaver, Riley Gerbereux
22. South Carroll High School Cavaliers (Sykesville, MD)
The South Carroll girls could receive a big boost to their returning cross country squad if junior Grace Siehler returns to the course in the fall. Siehler finished fifth at the outdoor state meet in the 1600 and could form a fantastic 1-2 duo with fellow junior Danielle Firlie. (Photo by John Roemer)
County: Carroll (1st) Region: 2A West (2nd)
Top Seven Returners: Danielle Firlie, Kelsey Shekore, Kate Yokay, Madeline Rathmann, Jackie Bruning, Amy Salindong, Lexie Hardesty
Others to Watch: Lauren Thornton, Danielle Spencer, Grace Siehler
21. Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Gators (Bethesda, MD)
Kate Walter and the defending ISL champions from Stone Ridge clock in just outside the top 20 this year, but they could easily crack that list as they return their entire team that also finished second at the MD Private School state meet. (Photo by Brandon Miles)
Conference: ISL (1st in MD)
Top Seven Returners: Katherine Strong, Kate Walter, Maria DiBari, Megan Toner, Maria Merz Ramirez, Madeline Fontana, Hannah Gutierrez