There's nothing like preseason rankings.
In cross country, August is the time of year when promise takes center stage, with talent and hope and hype leading the way. Performances will have their day. But with preseason comes evaluations, prognostication, a signal for what will come in December.
Today, we're releasing the first five entries in our national boys top 25 preseason national rankings. We will continue to release a new ranking every day until Sept. 7, when we anoint preseason No. 1 team and the next four.
To find out where we're ranking teams across the United States, check the links below. In the meantime, here are a selection of the preseason honorable mention programs who will begin the season outside the top 25.
Preseason Honorable Mention: Valor Christian (CO), Corner Canyon (UT), Loyola (CA), Crater (OR), Brentwood (TN), Farragut (TN), Haddonfield Memorial (NJ), Bolles (FL), Franklin (OR), Mounds View (MN), Skyridge (UT), Hilliard Davidson (OH), Brebeuf Jesuit (IN), Sioux City North (IA), Seattle Prep (WA), Kamiakin (WA), Sioux City (SD).
The MileSplit50 Preseason Boys Team
National Rankings Countdown
rank | date-team |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 22 -- Bishop Blanchet (WA) -- Page 2 |
| 24 | Aug. 22 -- Wayzata (MN) -- Page 3 |
| 23 | Aug. 22 -- Central Catholic (OR) -- Page 4 |
| 22 | Aug. 22 -- Atascocita (TX) -- Page 5 |
| 21 | Aug. 22 -- Idaho Falls (ID) -- Page 6 |
| 20 | Aug. 23 -- Mountain View (UT) -- Page 7 |
| 19 | Aug. 24 -- American Fork (UT) -- Page 8 |
| 18 | Aug. 25 -- Bishop Hendricken (RI) -- Page 9 |
| 17 | Aug. 26 -- Rock Bridge (MO) -- Page 10 |
| 16 | Aug. 27 -- Mason (OH) -- Page 11 |
| 15 | Aug. 28 -- Union Catholic (NJ) -- Page 12 |
| 14 | Aug. 29 -- Niwot (CO) -- Page 13 |
| 13 | Aug. 30 -- Belen Jesuit (FL) -- Page 14 |
| 12 | Aug. 31 -- Granada (CA) -- Page 15 |
| 11 | Sept. 1 -- Kickapoo (MO) -- Page 16 |
| 10 | Sept. 2 -- Center Grove (IN) -- Page 17 |
| 9 | Sept. 3 -- The Woodlands (TX) -- Page 18 |
| 8 | Sept. 4 -- Riverton (UT) -- Page 19 |
| 7 | Sept. 5 -- Christian Brothers Academy (NJ) -- Page 20 |
| 6 | Sept. 6 -- Great Oak (CA) -- Page 21 |
| 5 | Sept. 7 -- Carmel (IN) -- Page 22 |
| 4 | Sept. 7 -- New Orleans Jesuit (LA) -- Page 23 |
| 3 | Sept. 7 -- Southlake Carroll (TX) -- Page 24 |
| 2 | Sept. 7 -- Portland Jesuit (OR) -- Page 25 |
| 1 | Sept. 7 -- Newbury Park (CA) -- Page 26 |