7. Downers Grove North (IL)
Analysis: Almost a year removed from winning their second state title in six years, Downers Grove North is the clear-cut favorite to go stand atop the podium again for a multitude of reasons. For starters, even though they are down four boys from their championship-winning team, their returning trio of Philip Cupial, Grant Schroder and Will Surratt have both the speed and the championship racing experience to successfully defend both their state and NXR Midwest titles.
Based on last year's results, the Trojans will return at least six guys under 16:00, and three under 15:00. They're also already off and running this season, and have already beaten their Plainfield North head-to-head, who is arguably the biggest threat to spoiling their pair of title defenses.
COROS MILESPLIT50PRESEASON BOYS TEAM RANKINGS
*Click on the teams below for analysis
| RANK | ATHLETE |
| 25 | Monroe-Woodbury (NY) |
| 24 | Jesuit (CA) |
| 23 | Valor Christian (CO) |
| 22 | Mountain View (UT) |
| 21 | Cheyenne Mountain (CO) |
| 20 | Rockhurst (MO) |
| 19 | Coronado (CO) |
| 18 | Jesuit Portland (OR) |
| 17 | Buchanan (CA) |
| 16 | Plainfield North (IL) |
| 15 | Austin Vandegrift (TX) |
| 14 | ML King (CA) |
| 13 | Jesuit New Orleans (LA) |
| 12 | Bridgeland (TX) |
| 11 | Great Oak (CA) |
| 10 | Ridgefield (CT) |
| 9 | Crater (OR) |
| 8 | Coeur d'Alene (ID) |
| 7 | Downers Grove North (IL) |
| 6 | American Fork (UT) |
| 5 | Belen Jesuit Prep (FL) |
| 4 | Southlake Carroll (TX) |
| 3 | Niwot (CO) |
| 2 | |
| 1 | Herriman (UT) |