Girls Regional Rankings - 10/17/19

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The only significant change atop any of the nine regions came in California, with the 41st ASICS Clovis Invitational showcasing the second head-to-head clash this season involving Great Oak and Buchanan, the state’s top two teams.

Much like in 2017, Buchanan won the opening matchup Sept. 21 in the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Classic in Norco, only to have Great Oak rebound and triumph Saturday in the Clovis championship race at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Great Oak achieved two of the most significant invitational victories of the year in an eight-day span by prevailing Oct. 5 in the Nike Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, N.C., followed by winning its sixth consecutive title and seventh in the past 11 years in the championship race at the Clovis Invitational.

Freshmen Melinda Dang, Aishling Fabian and Kelli Gaffney have been instrumental in the Wolfpack’s success, providing significant support for seniors Audrey Dang, Tori Gaitan and Aubrie Nex, along with sophomore Divine Torza.

Buchanan and Great Oak are expected to meet again Nov. 30 in the Division 1 state final and potentially a fourth time this season at Nike Cross Nationals, depending on the results of the overall merge of all five divisions at the state championship meet.

Since their first matchup at the 2008 Division 1 state final, Great Oak has never lost to Buchanan in 18 showdowns on the 5-kilometer layout at Woodward Park, including the Clovis Invitational and state championship meet.

Following a dominant performance Oct. 5 at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Arkansas, Southlake Carroll begins its march toward a 6A state championship in Texas with Thursday’s District 5 meet.

Loudoun Valley VA, which took runner-up to Great Oak in the Nike Race of Champions at Great American, is scheduled to compete Saturday in the Third Battle Invitational in Virginia. The Vikings’ performance looked even more impressive following the efforts produced Saturday by Florida powers Pine Crest and The Bolles School at the Florida State Invitational and Manhattan Invitational, respectively, considering Loudoun Valley prevailed against both Southeast rivals at Great American.

After a low-key Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League dual-meet setback Sept. 24 against Seneca Valley, North Allegheny will look to reassert its presence as the top team in the Northeast in the coming weeks at both the Tri-State Invitational and WPIAL championship meet.

Fayetteville-Manlius tied New York rival Saratoga Springs for most girls team titles won in the Eastern States Championship race in Manhattan Invitational history with its 10th overall crown in the past 13 years. Saratoga Springs secured a victory over Shenendehowa at the Burnt Hills Invitational.

Beavercreek remained on a roll at the Greater Western Ohio Conference Championships, continuing to establish itself as the frontrunner in the Midwest, ahead of Illinois programs Naperville North and Downers Grove South, which took the top two spots Oct. 9 at the Naperville Twilight Invitational.

Edina held off Wayzata by a five-point margin Oct. 10 at the Lake Conference Championships in Minnesota, but Stillwater Area still remains the class of the state and Heartland region following its victory Oct. 5 at the Lions Cross Country Invitational Meet of Champions.

Summit wasn’t challenged by its Oregon peers Oct. 4 at the Oxford Classic, but the top-ranked team in the country will face improved lineups from Jesuit and Lincoln on Saturday at the Warner Pacific Classic. Jesuit edged Lincoln by one point Saturday at the Nike Hole in the Wall Invitational in Washington, both ahead of North Central, still awaiting the return of junior Allie Janke in time for the postseason.

Mountain Vista began its march toward a Colorado 5A title with a strong effort Oct. 9 at the Continental League Championships. The Golden Eagles, along with fellow Colorado powers Cherry Creek, Niwot and Cherokee Trail, Air Academy and Broomfield, are all focusing on regional competition this weekend in preparation for the Oct. 26 state championship meet.

Lone Peak UT cruised through its Region 4 qualifier in Utah and remains a clear 6A favorite entering the Oct. 23 state final.

Although Great Oak and Buchanan took the top two spots in the Clovis championship race, California Division 2 rivals St. Francis Sacramento and Newbury Park finished third and fourth again. Just like Sept. 21 at the Woodbridge Classic, St. Francis held off Newbury Park by a six-point margin, with the third showdown expected Nov. 30 at the state championship meet.

SOUTH

1. Southlake Carroll TX

2. Flower Mound TX

3. Boerne Champion TX

4. Grapevine TX

5. Humble Kingwood TX

SOUTHEAST

1. Loudoun Valley VA

2. Pine Crest FL

3. Chapel Hill NC

4. Cuthbertson NC

5. The Bolles School FL

NORTHEAST

1. North Allegheny PA

2. Ridgewood NJ

3. Champlain Valley Union VT

4. Holmdel NJ

5. State College Area PA

NEW YORK

1. Fayetteville-Manlius

2. Saratoga Springs

3. Shenendehowa

4. Liverpool

5. North Rockland

MIDWEST

1. Beavercreek OH

2. Naperville North IL

3. Downers Grove South IL

4. Ann Arbor Pioneer MI

5. Petoskey MI

HEARTLAND

1. Stillwater Area MN

2. Edina MN

3. Wayzata MN

4. Minnetonka MN

5. Saint Michael-Albertville MN

NORTHWEST

1. Summit OR

2. Boise ID

3. Jesuit OR

4. Lincoln OR

5. North Central WA

SOUTHWEST

1. Mountain Vista CO

2. Cherry Creek CO

3. Niwot CO

4. Lone Peak UT

5. Cherokee Trail CO

CALIFORNIA

1. Great Oak

2. Buchanan

3. St. Francis Sacramento

4. Newbury Park

5. Saugus