With a few teams losing, especially on the girls side, new teams spring into the MileSplit National Team Power Rankings this week. The biggest leap came from previously unranked Dowling Catholic girls. The team from Iowa impressed at the NTN Heartland Regional, beating a good field by a solid margin.
MileSplit National Team Power Rankings (Nov. 14)
Boys
1. Neuqua Valley (IL) - Neuqua Valley rolled into the NTN Midwest Regional course Saturday on a mission to crush the competition. The squad accomplished just that in placing four runners in the top fifteen. The team beat runner-up York 73-111.
2. North Central (WA) - The tight knit team beat the field at NTN Northwest, earning their first trip to Portland. Led by junior Andrew Kimpel, the squad boosted an eight point win over Central Catholic (OR).
3. Danbury (CT) - Facing some tough competition at the New England Championships, Danbury showed their strength as they won the team title by over one hundred points. The squad's senior leaders, Matt Terry and Willie Ahearn, once again led the team to victory as both athletes finished in the top five.
4. Los Alamos (NM) - Gaining ground on previous US #1 the past few weeks, Los Alamos finally put together their perfect team race to knock off the top ranked Albuquerque Academy team. Los Alamos won the New Mexico State title with a 34-40 score over Academy.
5. Albuquerque Academy (NM) - Despite placing their top two runners in the top three, including race champion Ben Johnson, Academy lost to then US #6 Los Alamos 34-40 at the New Mexico State Championship.
6. Wheat Ridge (CO) - Idle.
7. North Penn (PA) - Idle.
8. Brookline (MA) - Brookline's strong top four showed once again this past weekend. The team built a strong lead behind senior Robert Gibson and crew, winning their Eastern Divisional Championships.
9. The Woodlands (TX) - Despite their top runner finishing as their number five runner on the day, the Woodlands won the Texas State Championships over a powerful Southlake Carroll team.
10. Central Catholic (OR) - Running one of their best, if not their best, race of the season, Central Catholic qualified for Nike Team Nationals over a strong field at the NTN Northwest Regional. The team nearly beat US #2 North Central, losing 87-95.
Girls
1. Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) - Many thought F-M would receive a challenge from US #5 Saratoga Springs Saturday. That challenge never came as the team beat Saratoga 23-71 to win their division of the New York State Championships. F-M's power showed placing four runners in the top six.
2. Saugus (CA) - Running behind a 1, 2, 3 finish up front, Saugus soundly beat their competition at their sectional championships. Senior Katie Dunn led the way with her first place finish in 17:37.
3. Eldorado (NM) - Another week, another win for Eldorado. This time the team won their state championship, beating the competition by over fifty points. The key to victory came from their top three runners finishing in the top five.
4. Mountain Brook (AL) - Running without one of their top runners at the start of the race, and finishing without their top runner, Mountain Brook soundly beat the competition at the Alabama State Championships using their incredible depth. Freshman Marie Demedicis finished third overall to lead the team.
5. Dowling Catholic (IA) - Led by potential Foot Locker champion Katie Flood and teammate Ashlie Decker, Dowling Catholic perhaps has the best 1-2 combination in the country. On Saturday, Dowling Catholic beat a strong list of teams to win the NTN Heartland Regional by over twenty points, including runner-up (previously US ranked) Yankton 67-90.
6. Saratoga Springs (NY) - The Blue Streaks ran a fine team effort Saturday at the New York State Championships, however it was not enough to off set the power that F-M brought up front. Saratoga lost 23-71, but still ran the second fastest team time of the day.
7. Burnt-Hills (NY) - Burnt-Hills ran one of their best races of the year Saturday at the New York State Championships. Their strong pack running, behind second place finisher Sam Roecker, helped the team score a mere 31 points.
8. Dakota Ridge (CO) - Idle.
9. Jesuit (OR) - Despite finishing second at the NTN Northwest Regional, Jesuit earned a berth to compete at Nike Team Nationals in a few weeks time. The squad entered Saturday's comeptition riding the high of winning their state meet by a large margin only to see it fall to the team they beat for the title the week before. Jesuit lost to St. Mary's 87-94.
10. Westfield (IN) - What a difference a couple weeks can make. Not looking as their dominant self, Westfield finished second at the NTN Midwest Regional, losing to in-state rival Lake Central 86-92. Westfield knows what it is like to compete at NTN however, so look for them to bounce back in Portland.