Photo by Mike Piotrowski
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule
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 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!
9. South River High School Seahawks (Edgewater, MD)
Photo by John Roemer
County: Anne Arundel (3rd) Region: 4A East (4th)
Top Seven Returners:
1. Bronwyn Patterson (junior): 18:45 5K, 2:17 800, 5:01 1600
2. Claire Kennedy (senior): 20:35 5K, 5:38 1600, 12:21 3200
3. Ava Schrand (junior): 20:45 5K, 5:43 1600, 12:09 3200
4. Morgan Douglass (junior): 20:57 5K, 2:30 800, 5:40 1600
5. Tessa Schauermann (senior): 20:59 5K, 2:29 800, 5:56 1600
6. Lauryn McKenna (junior): 21:05 5K, 5:35 1600, 11:53 3200
7. Cassie Koziolek (senior): 21:07 5K, 6:02 1600, 12:20 3200
Others to Watch:
Nyla Carter (senior): 21:23 5K, 2:47 800, 6:03 1600
Madelein Stukus (junior): 22:07 5K, 2:34 800, 5:58 1600
Caroline Kelly (senior): 22:51 5K, 2:49 800, 6:01 1600
Life in the 4A East region isn't going to be particularly easy for any team involved this season, especially on the girls' side. The South River girls come in ranked as the ninth team in the entire state... and still trail three teams in the region.
One thing the Seahawks have in their favor is the defending state champion. Bronwyn Patterson seemed to enjoy Hereford the most during her first season of cross country - she won two races last fall, the Bull Run Invitational and the 4A state meet. Her state title was a bit of a surprise, as she had finished second at the Anne Arundel County Championships and third at the 4A East regionals. Coming off a track season during which she posted times of 2:17 and 5:01, she should be right back in the mix for a state title this year.
Behind Patterson is a deep returning team that few in the state can match, both in quality and in sheer volume. A total of eight girls bring back 5K personal bests under 22 minutes, led by Claire Kennedy, Ava Schrand and Morgan Douglass (above right), who finished between 43rd and 51st at the state meet last season. We also highlighted junior Lauryn McKenna (above middle) as a potential breakout candidate after she ran 5:35 and 11:53 on the track this past spring.
The past few years have seen dogfights ensue between the three top teams in the county (South River, Broadneck and Severna Park) and this year should be no different. Throw in the defending Howard County champions from Howard at the 4A East regional, along with several other teams ranked in our preseason top 50, and you've got the makings for one of the most competitive regional meets the state has ever seen.
Photo by Mike Piotrowski
Preseason Power Rankings Daily Schedule