No. 9 Yorkville (IL)
Analysis: Yorkville had a banner year in 2018. Among other accomplishments: Qualified for Nike Cross Nationals; finished second at the IHSA Class 3A Cross Country Championships; and brought home a Roy Griak Invitational title. But maybe success works in twos? The Foxes have five runners back from last year's landmark season, including No. 1 Kailey Fox, who was 14th at NXR Midwest and 10th at state. The program returns an average time of 18:33.76 based on personal bests from 2018 and a potential spread of 61 seconds.
But while Yorkville had a great season, it only finished 13th at NXN. Illinois' top team, Naperville North, graduated three of its top runners, meaning the Foxes could have the inside track on a state title in 2019 -- if Downers Grove South, who wasn't far behind, doesn't sneak up. Head coach Chris Muth will have plenty of talent to work with, and expectations remain the same this season. If nothing else, Yorkville has set the bar high.
Biggest question: Will Yorkville be Illinois' best team in 2019?
Graduations have hurt Naperville North and Downers Grove South seems to have gotten stronger. But so has Yorkville. Many of the team's most important pieces are back. Yorkville largely finished behind the Huskies in almost every major meet outside Roy Griak.
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MileSplit50 Girls Team National Rankings Countdown
25 -- Link | Aug. 20 -- East Grand Rapids (MI) |
24 -- Link | Aug. 20 -- Farmington (MN) |
23 -- Link | Aug. 20 -- North Allegheny (PA) |
22 -- Link | Aug. 20 -- Zionsville Community (IN) |
21 -- Link | Aug. 20 -- Flower Mound (TX) |
20 -- Link | Aug. 21 -- Prosper (TX) |
19 -- Link | Aug. 22 -- Ann Arbor Pioneer (MI) |
18 -- Link | Aug. 23 -- Downers Grove South (IL) |
17 -- Link | Aug. 24 -- STMA (MN) |
16 -- Link | Aug. 25 -- Lone Peak (UT) |
15 -- Link | Aug. 26 -- Mountain Vista (CO) |
14 -- Link | Aug. 27 -- Saratoga Springs (NY) |
13 -- Link | Aug. 28 -- Edina (MN) |
12 -- Link | Aug. 29 -- Bozeman (MT) |
11 -- Link | Aug. 30 -- Niwot (CO) |
10 -- Link | Aug. 31 -- Desert Vista (AZ) |
9 -- Link | Sept. 1 -- Yorkville (IL) |
8 -- Link | Sept. 2 -- Saugus (CA) |
7 -- Link | Sept. 3 -- Naperville North (IL) |
6 -- Link | Sept. 4 -- Beavercreek (OH) |
5 -- Link | Sept. 6 -- Great Oak (CA) |
4 -- Link | Sept. 6 -- North Central (WA) |
3 -- Link | Sept. 6 -- Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) |
2 -- Link | Sept. 6 -- Wayzata (MN) |
1 -- Link | Sept. 6 -- Summit (WA) |