21.
Team: Claremont, California
Analysis: Despite only finishing fourth at last year's Division 2 CIF State Cross Country Championship, Claremont returns four of its top five and five of its top seven from that meet and should be considered a potential sleeper team on the verge of making a splash.
Based on the team's 2017 season, the team returns currently one of the best 1-5 gaps in California at 27.40 seconds, while also averaging a strong 16:04.52. These guys may be a long shot to make it to NXN, but if the squad is able to hang against Great Oak and St. Francis Mountain View, big things could happen. That could hinge on how many of its 16:00-16:30 guys (four from 2017 state meet) turn into sub 16-minute athletes.