CBA, NJ REPEAT? YORK, IL IS BACK!
By Aron Taylor , NHSCA National Director
12/19/2011 email
US#1 Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, New Jersey boys are poised to repeat as National Team Champions. The top returning team in New Jersey State History happens to be the defending National Champions.
Last season CBA produced the second highest team power ranking in over 30 years. The .9820, second only to 2010 Arcadia, CA .9860 is superior to any before, better than '11 Southlake Carroll, TX .9820; '93 Mead, WA .9819; '99 York, IL .9759; '04 York, IL .9690; '77 Deerfield, IL .9580; '81 Carmel, IN .9579. Compared equally across known team depth variables the formula of team power score accurately reflects a teams strength.
'12 CBA, NJ: Mike McClemens JR; Billy Bragg SR; Jack Boyle SR; Aaron Liberatore SR; Tom Rooney SO; Fran Bogan SO.
The Long Green Line is Back
US#2 York, Illinois returns the top five scorers from last seasons US#15 ranked team. York of Elmhurst, Illinois has been the perennial program for US cross country the past 30-years. York claimed the first Nike Team National Championship in 2004. York 2012 may be the best Newton era team yet.
'12 York IL: Scott Milling SR, Nathan Mroz JR, Kyle Mattes JR, Chris May SR, Jack Libert SR.
The National Darkhorse['s]
In 2006 Coatesville, Pennsylvania stunned the high school world claiming the Nike Team Nationals Championship. In 2012 Pennsylvania again touts a program that should compete nationally. US#5 Cardinal O'Hara, Pennsylvania returns their top-five varsity scorers producing the second highest power score for a returning team from PA since that 2006 National Champion Coatesville team.
'12 Cardinal O'Hara PA: Dan Savage SR; Mike Biolatta SR; Ernie Pitone SR; Chris Pastore SR; Kevin James SO.
The other potential threat for the team title is US#3 North Central, Washington. Head Coach Jon Knight led NC to the 2008 Nike Cross Nationals Championship over a stellar York, IL squad. Returning all seven scorers from last seasons US#8 ranked team the Indians are in the hunt for the team title.
'12 North Central WA: Keith Williams SR; Kai Wilmot JR; Sam Holland SR; Tanner Anderson SO; Nik Taylor SR; Isaac Kitzen SR; Austen Frostad SR.
>>>2011 High School National Team Rankings
2012 XCNATION PRE-SEASON TEAM RANKINGS
1. Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, New Jersey
2. York HS, Elmhurst, Illinois
3. North Central HS, Spokane, Washington
4. Davis HS, Kaysville, Utah
5. Cardinal O'Hara HS, Springfield, Pennsylvania
6. Carmel HS, Carmel, Indiana
7. Southlake Carroll HS, Carroll, Texas
8. Dowling Catholic HS, Des Moines, Iowa
9. Belen Jesuit Prep, Miami, Florida
10. Bismarck HS, Bismarck, North Dakota
11. Eden Prairie HS, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
12. Arlington HS, LaGrangeville, New York
13. Fayetteville HS, Manlius, New York
14. American Fork HS, American Fork, Utah
15. Sue Cleveland HS, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
16. Stillwater HS, Stillwater, Minnesota
17. Trabuco Hills HS, Mission Viejo, California
18. Saint Anthonys HS, Huntington, New York
19. Warwick Valley HS, Warwick, New York
20. Lexington HS, Lexington, South Carolina
21. Bentonville HS, Bentonville, Arkansas
22. Brentwood HS, Brentwood, Tennessee
23. Bishop Hendricken HS, Warwick, Rhode Island
24. Seattle Prep HS, Seattle, Washington
25T. St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, California
25T. Stevens Point HS, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
XCNATION PRE-SEASON REGION RANKINGS
NORTHWEST: 1. NORTH CENTRAL WA 2. SEATTLE PREP WA
CALIFORNIA: 1. TRABUCO HILLS CA 2. ST. JOHN BOSCO CA
SOUTHWEST: 1. DAVIS UT 2. AMERICAN FORK UT
HEARTLAND: 1. DOWLING CATHOLIC IA 2. BISMARCK ND
MIDWEST: 1. YORK IL 2. CARMEL IN
SOUTH: 1. SOUTHLAKE CARROLL TX 2. BENTONVILLE AR
SOUTHEAST: 1. BELEN JESUIT FL 2. LEXINGTON SC
NORTHEAST: 1. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS NJ 2. CARDINAL OHARA PA
NEW YORK: 1. ARLINGTON NY 2. FAYETTEVILLE MANLIUS NY
>>>Girls Pre-Season National Rankings
