By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Just ahead of the release of the early season top 100 rankings, DyeStat's Keenan Gray unveils his top 20 individuals in this preseason edition of DyeStat XC Rankings.

1. Caden Leonard, Southlake Carroll TX – Despite an unfortunate fall during the final bits of Nike Cross Nationals, Leonard showed poise and determination the last kilometer to finish third in last year's boys championship race. He is the top returner from NXN and carried his success onto the track this spring.

2. Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit FL - Mantecon has proven to be a fearless runner in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, and this year will be no exception when he aims for an NXN individual title.

3. Jackson Spencer, Herriman UT - A member of Herriman's 4x800-meter relay team that broke the national record at New Balance Nationals Outdoor, Spencer proved to be an immediate impact within the program in his first year, finishing seventh at NXN.

4. Noah Bontrager, Westview IN - A much-improved junior cross country season, which included an All-American finish at NXN, and a national title in the 5,000 at New Balance Nationals Outdoor are signs of another big fall to come for Bontrager.

5. Quentin Nauman, Western Dubuque IA - If the outdoor track season has any indicator of what's to come for Nauman this fall, an NXN individual title is on his mind.

6. Benjamin Adams, Mountain Vista CO - Without qualifying for NXN last fall, Adams still proved he was a force as a sophomore in the Southwest region and could be a bigger factor as a junior.

7. Oliver Horton, Coronado CO - Horton elevated his game when it mattered most at NXR Southwest, resulting in him qualifying for NXN as a sophomore. He returns as one of the favorites to claim the individual regional title.

8. Philip Cupial, Downers Grove North IL - This 800 specialist isn't your typical middle-distance runner. Cupial's All-American honors at Foot Locker proves he can get it done on the cross country course, too.

9. Hunter Robbie, Niwot CO - The low stick for Niwot's national championship squad, Robbie finds himself now in the mix in the individual title race while leading his team to a second consecutive NXN title.

10. Alex Fisher, Loomis Chaffe CT - A big presence in Connecticut, Fisher finally got his chance to shine on the national scene, earning All-American honors at NXN.

11. Aiden Le Roux, Cheyenne Mountain CO - Le Roux is the second runner from the Southwest region who finished in the top 10 at NXN last fall that is back this year. The Cheyenne Mountain senior has proven to be a factor in that region, improving upon his finishes at the regional meet each of the last three years.

12. Sean Fries, Minnetonka MN - All-American honors at Foot Locker was a big leap for Fries to take last fall. Expect him to build on that and become a contender his senior season.

13. Kellen Williams, Jesuit OR - If Jesuit is poised to have a big year as a team, it starts out front with their top returner Williams doing his part individually. A couple of runner-up finishes in track at the Oregon state meet are indicators Williams is on the right track to succeed this fall.

14. Grady Lenn, De Pere WI - Lenn, the only returning-individual from the Heartland region with any nationals experience, is on track for another big season. The De Pere senior is lightyears ahead of everyone in Wisconsin and should be the favorite to win the regional individual crown.

15. Paul Van Laningham, Cooper KY - Running a personal best to qualify for NXN bode well for Van Laningham, leading him to finish top 35 at NXN. The Cooper senior has plenty to be excited for this fall with that type of momentum.

16. Ruel Newberry, Denton Guyer TX - As a freshman, Newberry's maturity as a racer was well beyond his years. The winner of last fall's RunningLane Cross Country Championships, Newberry expects to have a bigger presence in Texas and the national stage this season.

17. Conor Lott, Clovis North CA - Being California's top runner is no easy task, but Lott has earned the distinction heading into his senior season. Winner of two California state titles in cross country and track, Lott is ready to take the next step on the national scene.

18. Yohanes Van Meerten, Northland Preparatory Academy AZ - Van Meerten, the top sophomore finisher from Foot Locker, proved he's a force on the national scene and can be a national title contender over the next two years.

19. Asher Oates, Independence TN - Winning his first state title and qualifying for a national championship were the steps Oates needed to take to put himself in the conversation among the nation's best heading into in senior season. Expect him to be a top-10 finisher at Foot Locker.

20. Ethan Locke, Valor Prep Academy TX - A 5,000 time of 14:05.06 at Nike Outdoor Nationals shows the sky is the limit for this rising-senior.