Unsurprisingly, Leah Stephens takes the top spot in our final 2022 XC Maryland Power Rankings. Stephens did not lose a race until the Champs Northeast Regional meet last weekend, but her 6th place performance was still good enough to earn a trip to San Diego to compete in the National Championship. She more than made up for her performance at Regionals by finishing 7th at Champs Nationals running 17:37 and placing her name among the top runners in the United States. 

Her 16:54 5k time at the Milestat Invitational is the fastest Cross Country 5k run by a Maryland athlete. Leah has had one of the best seasons ever for a Maryland XC athlete and is on the shortlist for best Maryland Cross Country runner ever.

Hannah Toth takes the 2nd spot after running away with the girl's 3A State Championship. She always placed an impressive 16th at the Champs Northeast Regional meet last week and was not that far from earning a birth to the National Championship. 

Elena Blodnikar rounds out the top 3 after she won the 4A State Championship. She also ran the fastest time by any girl in any classification at states, running 18:58.

Estelle Snider and Katie Greenwald join the top 10 list after a strong finish to their season. Estelle surprised her sister by winning the 2A State Championship in what was probably the most exciting individual race of the day. Five girls were in the mix to win with 800 meters to go and Estelle used a great kick to take the win. Greenwald also finished her season strongly placing high in all 3 championship meets. She also ran the second fastest time from a Maryland girl at the Nike Southeast Regional meet running 18:48.