The first round of XC Regional Rankings, released by NSSF and produced by Marc Bloom and Rich Gonzalez, ranked three Illinois boys teams and three Illinois girls teams among the Midwest top ten. York, Neuqua Valley and Naperville North ranked first, second and sixth respectively, while Geneva, Hinsdale Central and Palatine rank second, fifth and ninth on the girls side. Four boys teams and two girls teams are listed as bubble teams.

Midwest XC Regional Rankings (9/5)

Press Release by NSSF

Midwest Rankings: Boys / Girls

Midwest Boys Rankings

(IL, IN, MI, MO, OH)

1. York (IL) - Steve Sulkin leads regional runner-up seeking to regain state 3A title
2. Neuqua Valley (IL) - NXN national champs lose Chris Derrick and others but still strong and deep
3. Fishers (IN) - 5 of 7 back from regional 4th-placer led by 4:09 and 4:19 Shields twins
4. St. Louis Univ (MO) - State class 4 champ and reg’l 3rd-placer returns deep squad with tight pack
5. Carmel (IN) - Returns 4 from reg’l 6th-placer; wins Midwest Bash big over OH powers
6. Naperville No (IL) - State 5th-placer returns strong squad led by individual threat Kyle Gibson
7. Medina (OH) - State champ, NXN 12th-place team led by Donnie Roys plans patient season
8. St. John Jesuit (OH) - State Div 1 5th-placer returns good nucleus and runs 2nd at Midwest Bash
9. Saline (MI) - State Div I runner-up has 5 of 7 back seeking to regain state title
10. St. Ignatius (OH) - Traditional state power 3rd with 27-second spread in Midwest Bash

Bubble teams alphabetically: Centerville (OH), Chesterton (IN), Columbus No (IN), Dexter (MI), Fort Wayne Carroll (IN), Francis Howell No (MO), Franklin Central (IN), Geneva (IL), Hickman (MO), Kickapoo (MO), Linden (MI), Lyons Township (IL), Mason (OH), North Central (IN), Northridge (IN), Palatine (IL), Parkway West (MO), Pioneer (MI), Rochester Adams (MI), Waubonsie Valley (IL), West Plains (MO).

Midwest Girls Rankings

(IL, IN, MI, MO, OH)

1. Lake Central (IN) - Regional champ returns 5 of 7 but will be hard-pressed to win state
2. Geneva (IL) - State 3A champs with 5 frosh scorers return as sophs for curtain call
3. Lee’s Summit West (MO) - State class 4 champ has everyone back led by 3 all-staters
4. Carmel (IN) - Reg’l 4th-placer returns 4 from state; wins Brebeuf Inv taking 5 of top 7
5. Hinsdale Central (IL) - Red Devils led by 4 seniors with excellent track and XC credentials
6. Rochester Adams (MI) - State Div I 4th-placer has 5 solid runners led by state contender
7. Brecksville-Broadview Hts (OH) - State Div I champ returns 6 of 7 in another tight state picture
8. Hoover (OH) - State Div I 4th-placer has everyone back led by a pair of all-staters
9. Palatine (IL) - Seeks 7th state title with 6 proven performers in coach’s last season
10. Grand Haven (MI) - State Div I runner-up returns 5 of 7 led by 800 star Becca Addison

Bubble teams alphabetically: Colerain (OH), Eureka (MO), Fort Wayne Carroll (IN), Gaylord (MI), Jefferson City (MO), Magnificat (OH), Naperville No (IL), Neuqua Valley (IL), Parkway Central (MO), Rochester (MI), Rockford (MI), Rockwood Summit (MO), Traverse City Central (MI), Troy (MI), Valparaiso (IN), Westfield (IN).

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