No. 2: Mountain Vista (CO)
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Analysis: The Mountain Vista girls cross country team enters the 2024 season with a renewed sense of purpose after a standout performance at the 2023 Nike Cross Nationals (NXN). After finishing third at the Nike Cross Southwest Regionals, the Golden Eagles were uncertain if they'd receive an at-large bid to compete at nationals. When the call came, they seized the opportunity, traveling to Portland, Oregon, to compete against the nation's best.
Despite being ranked outside the top 10 going into the event, Mountain Vista defied expectations by finishing third, marking a historic moment as Colorado swept the top three spots. This strong national showing was a vindication for the team, especially after a disappointing fifth-place finish at the Class 5A state championship.
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON GIRLS TEAM RANKINGS
*Click on the teams below for analysis
RANK | Team |
|---|---|
| 25 | Champlain Valley Union (Vt.) |
| 24 | Wayzata (Minn.) |
| 23 | Flower Mound (Tex.) |
| 22 | Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) |
| 21 | Timpview (Utah) |
| 20 | Jesuit Portland (Ore.) |
| 19 | East Aurora (N.Y.) |
| 18 | Brentwood (Tenn.) |
| 17 | Lincoln (Ore.) |
| 16 | Downers Grove North (Ill.) |
| 15 | Webb School (Knoxville, Tenn.) |
| 14 | Union Catholic Reg (N.J.) |
| 13 | Barrington (Ill.) |
| 12 | Romeo (Mich.) |
| 11 | Ventura (Calif.) |
| 10 | Lone Peak (Utah) |
| 9 | Bethlehem (N.Y.) |
| 8 | Santiago Corona (Calif.) |
| 7 | Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) |
| 6 | JSerra Catholic (Calif.) |
| 5 | Trabuco Hills (Calif.) |
| 4 | Niwot (Colo.) |
| 3 | Buchanan (Calif.) |
| 2 | Mountain Vista (Colo.) |
| 1 | Air Academy (Colo.) |