The Preseason MileSplit50 Top 25 Boys Team Rankings

No. 23: Portland Central Catholic (OR)

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Analysis: With four runners returning from last year's runner-up team at the Class 6A state championships -- CC lost by 17 points to Portland Jesuit -- Central Catholic has some firepower back. 

The squad is led by senior Wesley Shipsey, a third-place finisher in the Class 6A race who's the top returner back. Shipsey might feel a lot of things in 2022 -- expectation, pressure, pride -- but in some ways that could serve him well. Sometimes for a team to go to the next level, an athlete must take them there. Shipsey might just be that athlete. 

Seniors Charlie Black and Garrett Mackey, however, will help. They both ran under 16 minutes at the Oregon state meet. 

Biggest Question: Can this team close the spread? 

Looking at this team's projected starting five for 2022, the compression stands out. From one to five, it stands at 1:54. Now, anytime you have a sub-15 runner, the spread will be a little misrepresented. But there's no doubt, this team has to shore up its fourth and fifth positions if it wants to make a run for the Oregon state title -- Jesuit, like usual, will be their biggest foes. 

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