On the boys side, there doesn't look like a US Top-10 team HOWEVER there is no shortage of Top-35/40 type teams (as usual for a deep region like the MW) ... what that suggests to me is that the race for the NXN spots are going to be ridiculous.

This could be Missouri's to finally play a factor on the national scene! There are a few boys teams very capable of being ranked here and nationally!

5K. I think the CR is 14:40 or so. Not sure.

Is the Shore Conference Championships 3m or 5K? What's the course record?

cerutty fan, on , said:

This should tie you a pretty good indication of where they are since all these marks were run on the same course on the same day. These are the 14 fastest guys or them at the Shore Conference meet:

14:42.34 McClemens, Mike Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
14:50.47 Ferro, Blaise Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:09.19 Bogan, Fran Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:12.46 Rooney, Tom Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:24.48 Kruppa, Josh Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:32.30 Durney, Aidan Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:35.98 Paugh, Greg Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
15:38.42 Trigani, Nick Shore Conf. Championships 2013-10-24
15:41.44 Cassidy, Mike Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
15:46.81 Dooling, Jon Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
15:51.75 Morris, John Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
15:53.08 Dengler, Brian Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
15:58.22 Dengler, Thomas Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24
16:01.41 McLaughlin, Christian Shore Conf Frosh / JV Championships 2013-10-24

cerutty fan, on , said:

CBA rested its top 5.

Top 5 that sat out are:

McClemens
Ferro
Rooney
Bogan
Kruppa

Bill Meylan, on , said:

Wait, so now CBA ran their JV team at NJCTC? Cassidy, Trigani and Dengler are outside the top 7 altogether? They were (according to Milesplit) their 4th, 6th, and 7th fastest returning 3200 guys from last track season. Who are their actual top 7? If a 9:22 3200 runner (Cassidy) can't make the team's top 7 maybe it's time they relocate the school to Iten and pick on kids who can put up an honest fight.

I agree with watchout that Gig Harbor is currently the top-rated team in the nation, although several others are close (including CBA, FM, American Fork and others) ... It will be interesting to see how Gig Harbor performs at the NXN-Northwest Regional (I suspect they will run very well) ... Also interested to see how well the 3rd and 4th-place teams run because they will likely be serious candidates for at-large selection assuming they run up to form.

I quickly estimated the New Jersey Catholic TC Conference Champ (NJCTC) this past weekend where the CBA JV team ran in place of the regular varsity runners and they won handily ... The top five CBA guys rated between 175 to 170 ... Christian Brothers Academy-New Jersey has the deepest cross country team at a high level that I have ever seen ... BUT only seven guys can run a championship race and that's my only consideration when comparing teams. CBA's depth could be a deciding factor at NXN because their 6th and 7th guys seem capable of off-setting off-races by other runners.

CBA's upcoming races at Holmdel Park and Bowdoin Park will give insight to their current form ... And the race at Bowdoin Park (NXN Northeast), which takes place in conjunction with the NXN New York race, will allow comparison with the NY teams.

I know others don't agree, but if there was a "hypothetical" betting race including the top boys teams from NXN (NTN) 2004 to 2012, I would still bet York 2004 because their top guy was capable of winning, others at a very high level and depth that proved itself 7-deep when it counted .... Many very good teams in 2013 ... But they need to prove themselves at Portland Meadows before too many accolades are given.

watchout, on , said:

Gig Harbor's speed ratings from the state meet:

193
192
190
185
175
172
165

Those indicate a significant drop off after their 4th as you mentioned.

CBA's speed ratings from the Shore Conference meet:

190
187
181
180
176
173
171

Those support what you are saying about the top 4s BUT the last four indicate that Gig Harbor's last 4 are close to CBA's. Still, the Shore Conference meet was 3 weeks ago so could CBA have improved a bunch? Maybe we will see this Saturday at the State Group meet BUT remember that last year CBA did not run al their first seven in the Groups and MOC (partially due to postponement of one of the meets as a result of Sandy).

I'

Bsarno1, on , said:

Absolutely right on all counts. Gig Harbor is essentially 2 meets ahead of CBA (NJ Groups and MOC, whereas Gig Harbor finished up the state series this last weekend), and with the most important meets coming up for CBA, I expect them to start running their best performances of the season. But beyond that, the bigger question is what will happen when the teams go head to head... Gig Harbor looks to have the better top-5, but the drop off from #4-6/7 is pretty significant whereas CBA's #6/7 are closer to their main pack - that means Gig Harbor would be hurt more by an "off" race by one of their top four, which is more likely to happen if it's sloppy conditions in Portland (though who knows if that will be the case, or if any of their top 5 won't have good days that day). All I can say is that, at the moment, Gig Harbor's accomplishments to date (this year) put them #1 in the nation in my analysis. But there is still a month of racing left, including the grande finale which is what ultimately matters.

Bsarno1, on , said:

Ironic, being a horse track and all.

Dan

Guess I know a lot more about Gig Harbor than I did yesterday.
What I find notable is the ratings which confirm a suspicion I harbor based somewhat on CBA having important local races left in which maybe their best runners May or may not run. Three GH runners rate above CBA's best. The question remains to be answered is whether CBA will have runners exceed their ratings at NXN. Will GH have three runners finish before the first CBA runner? If so, GH is likely to score better than CBA even if their no. 5 is not strong. However if CBA can break up that top three, then it will be a horse race and the no. 5s will be crucial. Of course, if Portland is a mess again, all bets are off.

Illinois: Hersey, Lane Tech, Lyons Township, New Trier, Neuqua Valley, Palatine, Wheaton-Warrenville South
Indiana: Bloomington South, Columbus North
Michigan: Highland Milford, Northville, Waterford Mott
Missouri: West Plains
Ohio: Hilliard Davidson, Mason


There might be others, but those are the ones I've noticed so far.

What would be some possible buble teams from the boys side?