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Southeast Region Girls Early Season Rankings 2024Published by
Cardinal Gibbons, Webb School, Brentwood Seek To Pass Tatnall and Assumption Atop Southeast Region By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor Girls NXR Southeast Preview The representatives from the Southeast finished seventh and ninth at Nike Cross Nationals last December and the region has half a dozen candidates to make the trip this year. Tatnall of Delaware, competing as Wilmington, finished ninth at NXN after winning the NXR Southeast. And Assumption of Kentucky, competing as Louisville finished an impressive seventh. Both teams have strong lineups returning, but for the moment they are not the early favorites for the two automatic berths. Instead, teams that bring back just a bit more, such as Cardinal Gibbons NC, Webb School TN and Brentwood TN appear to hold some advantages. So far, it's not clear whether Tatnall has the depth to back up standouts Abby Downin, Katie Payne and Ruby Schwelm. If it does, this team will quickly jump off the watchlist. Assumption could also slide up from No. 4, but the loss of the team's 1-2 to graduation may take some time to overcome. There are no lack of teams ready to step in. Cardinal Gibbons of NC gets the early nod at No. 1 due to it returning a top five intact that placed fourth at NXR Southeast last year. And the addition of a talented freshman, Kaitlyn Estep, to run with senior Hannah Rae Shaffer, adds even more firepower. Cardinal Gibbons won nine straight titles in North Carolina, five in 3A and four in 4A, from 2010 to 2018 before Cuthbertson rose up to become the dominant team in the state. Webb School of Knoxville has four on its roster that competed at NXN in 2022 and Brentwood brings back all seven from its 2023 lineup. Auburn of Alabama, also, deserves some notice after returning six of seven from last year, including sophomore Sarah Tole. Alabama has sent a team to nationals since 2007. Shaffer (sixth) and Downin (12th) are the top returning runners from NXR Southeast. 1. Cardinal Gibbons NC. The Crusaders won the Knights Crossing meet in Virginia last weekend with 43 points, led by Hannah Rae Shaffer's victory in 17:50.6. Shaffer is part of a talented senior class that includes Addy Mitchell, Lucia West, Katherine Pagorek, Ina Lazarczyk and Kira Bautz. The addition of freshman Kaitlyn Estep is huge. At Knights Crossing, Estep was second for the team and six seconds behind Shaffer. Junior Maggie Whitham and freshman Anneka Hill are also important contributors for a team looking to make some history this fall. 2. Webb School of Knoxville TN. Webb School, which became the first Tennessee team to advance to Nike Cross Nationals in 2022, has a chance to do it again thanks to one of the most powerful trios in the country. Juniors Carolina Areheart and twin sisters Calysta Garmer and Jazzlyn Garmer have run sub-18 minute times for 5,000 meters twice already this season. Senior Kristina Weaver makes it four runners on the team who have NXN experience from 2022. Sophomore Ariana Vargas completes the top five. If Webb can consistently put three low numbers on the board, then Weaver and Vargas just need to be steady for the Spartans to make it back to Portland. All five need to stay healthy because there is a gap to the sixth and seventh. 3. Brentwood TN. All seven are back from a Tennessee state championship team that placed sixth at NXR Southeast last year. As this group develops, it could take another leap forward this fall. Junior twins Lauren and Lia Banovac, seniors Abi Cobb, Lydia Cromwell and Rachel Haws were practically interchangeable in the top five. Sophomores Talya Williams and Elise Truesdale are also part of the returning pack. Freshman newcomer Sydney Day adds even more depth for a team brimming with potential. 4. Assumption KY. The Rockets had an outstanding showing at Nike Cross Nationals last December and finished seventh in the nation. Four returning runners from that team bring valuable big-meet experience to the table. The top two graduated, but senior Leah Penick, junior Mabel George, senior Morgan White and junior Taryn Tracy return to lead this year's team. Assumption scored 33 points in a season opening victory at the Rumble Through The Jungle and got big contributions from senior Brooke Greenwell and junior Caitlin Perkins, who both finished in the top 10. 5. Auburn AL. The Tigers return six of the seven runners who finished 14th at last year NXR Southeast. But what makes this team really intriguing is their young standouts Sophomore Sarah Tole, who won the Alabama Class 7A championship final last year, was followed over the finish line by teammate Abby Merner, now a junior. Senior Linnea Cox was fourth. Junior Rylee Plexico was ninth. Those four powered Auburn to a low score of 26 points. If this group can develop together then the ceiling is even higher than fifth. Senior Valeria Escalera, junior Audrey Erath and sophomore Jenna Wade also bring depth. WATCHLIST More news |
