Photo by Brandon Miles
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!
4. Broadneck High School Bruins (Annapolis, MD)
Photo by Mike Piotrowski
County: Anne Arundel (2nd) Region: 4A East (3rd)
Top Seven Returners:
1. Anna Janke (senior): 18:51 5K, 5:08 1600, 11:24 3200
2. Mollie Fenn (sophomore): 18:52 5K, 5:11 1600, 10:59 3200
3. Madison Palmer (senior): 19:39 5K, 5:38 1600, 11:39 3200
4. Grace Denius (sophomore): 21:07 5K, 2:23 800, 5:28 1600
5. Lilah Sage (sophomore): 21:14 5K, 5:44 1600, 12:46 3200
6. Lilah Sokolowski (sophomore): 21:27 5K, 5:54 1600, 12:47 3200
7. Gabriela Wikar (junior): 22:00 5K, 5:58 1600
Others to Watch:
Jasmine Jones (junior): 22:03 5K, 2:25 800
Lydia Willhite (junior): 22:03 5K, 2:38 800, 5:50 1600
Zoe Barbour (sophomore): 5:49 1600, 13:09 3200
Corinne Van Hoven (sophomore): 5:54 1600, 13:12 3200
Audrey Jones (sophomore): 2:47 800, 5:58 1600
There is no need to sugarcoat it - the 4A East regional girls race might be the most competitive meet outside of states this season. The South River girls already checked in the top ten of our preseason team rankings, and now the Bruins slot in at number four - and there are still two teams left to reveal!
The Broadneck girls finished third in the state last season, just three points behind their new regional rivals from Howard. The Northern girls are the only other team in the state with two returning runners having clocked sub-19:00 5Ks last fall. That dynamic duo of sophomore Mollie Fenn and senior Anne Janke will be Broadneck's strength this fall, especially after Fenn won her first state title in the outdoor 3200 as a freshman this past spring. Like their regional rivals, the Bruins are also very deep, returning 11 girls who ran under 6:00 in the 1600. That group includes breakout candidates Madison Palmer (11:38 3200) and Grace Denius (2:23 800, 5:28 1600) who could help solidify Broadneck's top five.
We'll get a regional preview featuring Broadneck, Severna Park and South River at the always-competitive Anne Arundel County championships. If Broadneck can go 1-2 - a possibility at any of their races this fall - they could potentially unseat Severna Park at the county meet and carry momentum into the regional race on Halloween evening.