Photo by Dasam Gill
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!
7. Walt Whitman High School Vikings (Bethesda, MD)
Photo by Craig Amoss
County: Montgomery (2nd) Region: 4A West (2nd)
Top Seven Returners:
1. Alicia Lauwers (senior): 19:34 5K, 5:33 1600, 11:55 3200
2. Elizabeth Sklaire (senior): 20:12 5K, 2:28 800, 5:28 1600
3. Emmersen Weinberg (senior): 20:23 5K, 5:29 1600, 11:55 3200
4. Paula Bathalon (senior): 20:28 5K, 2:44 800, 5:56 1600
5. Madeleine Blaisdell (senior): 20:46 5K
6. Siena Smith (senior): 21:03 5K, 2:42 800
7. Caitlin Cowan (sophomore): 21:25 5K, 6:08 1600, 12:58 3200
Others to Watch:
Ana Bastos (sophomore): 22:26 5K, 5:45 1600, 12:28 3200
The deepest team in Montgomery County last year, the Whitman girls captured Montgomery County and 4A West titles before finishing fourth at the 4A State championships (just 13 points away from second place). They were the only school in the race beside the state champions from Severna Park with five finishers in the top 50.
Only two of the girls from last year's team are gone, and the Vikings still have the depth to compete for one of the top two spots at the state meet. Their returning team is comprised almost exclusively of seniors, led by Alicia Lauwers, who finished 18th at last year's state meet. Emmersen Weinberg (above, front), Elizabeth Sklaire (above, back) and Paula Bathalon round out a top four that all ran under 20:30 last fall.
In order to repeat as county and regional champions this season, they will need to find a consistent #5 runner. Their top competitors at the 4A West regional, such as Walter Johnson and Urbana, might have better top-end talent, but Whitman proved last season that they can be dangerous with their combination of depth and championship experience.