By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Individual Girls Early Season Top 100 Rankings

The high school cross country season is in full swing, and results are starting to show who are the top individual racers are across the United States.

Here is the individual girls early season top 100 rankings list after some recent results:

1. Addy Ritzenhien, senior, Niwot CO - Ritzenhein opened her season with a second-place effort at Centaurus Bernie Gay Invitational. Her first real test could come at the Desert Twilight, a race she won last year in 16:41.3, at the end of September.

2. Ruby Ihmels, junior, Century ND - Ihmels made an early-season statement with a win at the Augustana Twilight, but the way she did it against really good competition shows she's national title contender.

3. Elin Latta, sophomore, South Texas Heat Homeschool TX - After a sensational freshman season, Latta keeps the momentum rolling with her first win of the cross country season at the SA Patriots Invitational by over 30 seconds.

4. Paige Sheppard, junior Union Catholic NJ - The track speed has translated well for Sheppard to the cross country scene, winning her season-opener by 25 seconds at the Oak Ridge Invitational to extend her in-state winning streak to eight races.

5. Averi Lowen, junior, Bowdon GA - Lowen is looking more and more like a national title contender each time she steps onto the cross country course. Her races at both Bob Blastow and Orthowest were won by a significant amount, awarding her a top 10 spot in the latest rankings.

6. Sophia Rodriguez, junior, Mercer Island WA - A solo effort in 17:17.6 for 5k at the KingCo League XC was won by almost three minutes in her season debut.

7. Jaelyn Williams, senior, Eastlake CA - Williams tallies three wins before the second week of September, including the CCA Ravens XC Invitational over Chiara Dailey.

8. Lilly Beshears, senior, Rogers AR - Beshears opens at the Southlake Carroll Invitational, running 16:47.7 and beat fellow Foot Locker Cross Country All-American Macy Wingard by 16 seconds.

9. Calysta Garmer, senior, Webb School of Knoxville TN - The New Balance Nationals Outdoor 5,000 champion begins her senior season with wins at Ballantyne Ridge Invitational and Cherokee Classic.

10. Lily Alder, senior, Timpview UT - Alder won her opener win at the Premier Cross Country Invitational but then finishes second at the Juab XC Invitational to a much-improved Rozlyn Stowe. An opportunity to bounce back up in the rankings comes on Sept. 20 at Woodbridge, where she finished third in the sweepstakes race last year.

11. Delaney Reuter, junior, Eaton CO - Reuter, the defending Colorado 3A state champion, opened the season with wins at Rocky Mountain Lobo Invitational and John Martin XC Invitational. 

12. Jazzlyn Garmer, Webb School of Knoxville TN - Second to only her twin sister at the first two races of the season, Jazzlyn could move up in the rankings soon if she were to have a great performance at the Great American XC Festival in three weeks.

13. Macy Wingard, senior, Denton Braswell TX - Wingard finished second to Lilly Beshears at the Southlake Carroll Invitational in 17:03.4, the best season opener she's had.

14. Chiara Dailey, senior, La Jolla CA - Second to Jaelyn Williams at the CCA Ravens Invitational, but another signature opportunity comes soon for the La Jolla star at Woodbridge, where she finished second last season in the sweepstakes race.

15. Blair Bartlett, junior, Lawrenceville NJ - Awaiting patiently for the debut of Bartlett in a cross country race. Remember, she beat 2023 NXN champion Addy Ritzenhein at the Penn Relays in the 3,000 last spring, running 9:13.60.

16. Gabbie Bishop, senior, Providence Classical Christian Academy AR - The defending RunningLane Cross Country champion expects to make her debut at the Gans Creek Classic.

17. Natasza Dudek, sophomore, Ann Arbor Pioneer MI - Second year in a row Dudek begins the season with wins at Shepherd John Bruder Classic and SEC Jamboree.

18. Sundara Weber, senior, Sandwich IL - An impressive in-state winning streak rolls on to 13 after Weber won her first race of the season at the Morris Early Bird Invite by 53 seconds.

19. Elizabeth Leachman, junior, Boerne Champion TX - The two-time defending Foot Locker Cross Country champion last appeared in a race the day she won her second consecutive national title at Balboa Park. 

20. Rozlyn Stowe, senior, Carbon UT - Stowe, without a doubt, has been the biggest surprise of the season so far. The Utah 3A state champion in the 800 is proving she's more than a middle-distance standout, earning a signature win over Lily Alder at the Juab XC Invitational to bring her season win total to three.

21. Braelyn Combe, senior, Santiago (Corona) CA - Another quick start this fall for Combe, winning the PR City Invitational three-mile race in 16:37.4, setting her up for a faster performance at Woodbridge.

22. Mallory Weller, senior, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran IN - Guided her team to an early-season win at the Huntington North Invitational by winning the individual title. A finalist at both national championships last fall.

23. Virginia Kraus, senior, Saucon Valley PA - The three-time Pennsylvania cross country state champion opens her season with a win at the DeSales Centaur by almost 90 seconds.

24. Mia Sirois, junior, Barrington IL - Sirois's return to racing is likely soon after being in a boot all summer. She was sixth at last year's NXN meet.

25. Marissa Ferebee, senior, Pella IA - The defending Heartland region champion begun her season with a win at the Cedar Rapids Prairie Invitational, extending her in-state winning streak to 11 races.

26. Maddie Gullickson, senior, Wayzata MN - Redeemed a second-place finish from last year's St. Olaf Showcase race, winning this season's race in her fastest season opener of her high school career in 18:14.8 for a 5k.

27. Ryin Miller, senior, Seaman KS - 40th at Nike Cross Nationals; Third at NXR Heartland; Second at Kansas 5A cross country state meet.

28. Summer Wilson, senior, Irvine CA - Won season opener at Saddleback Cup by 56 seconds, nearly breaking 10 minutes in the two-mile race. 

29. Abigail Hennessy, senior, Westford Academy MA - Raced once last fall, but put together a quality spring season, including a 4:34.69 mile.

30. Libby Dowty, senior, Indian Creek IN - Won season opener at Brownsburg Invite. Fifth at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; Fifth at Foot Locker Midwest; Seventh at NXR Midwest.

31. Maysen Fletcher, sophomore, Herbert Hoover WV - Four wins for the third-place finisher from last year's RunningLane Cross Country Championships. West Virginia 4A cross country state champion.

32. Greta Hammer, senior, Needham MA - Won opener in tri-meet against Braintree and Weymouth. 25th at Nike Cross Nationals; Second at NXR Northeast; Massachusetts Meet of Champions champion. 

33. Ellery Lincoln, junior, Lincoln OR - Shined in season opener at Night Meet in course record 9:48.1 for 3,000 meters race. 10th at NXR Northwest; Third at Oregon 6A cross country state meet.

34. Bailey Brackett, junior, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee NC - Won first three races of season, including running a 5k personal best 17:40.4 at RGNS XC Home Meet. Fifth at North Carolina 5A cross country state meet.

35. Chase Gilbert, senior, Lyme-Old Lyme CT - 26th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; Fifth at Foot Locker Northeast; Second at New England Interscholastic Cross Country Championships.

36. Chamorra Cooper, junior, Air Academy CO - 29th at Nike Cross Nationals; 10th at NXR Southwest; Seventh at Colorado 5A cross country state meet.

37. Emma Hoffman, senior, Ostego MI - Won first three races of season. 12th at NXR Midwest; Second at Michigan Lower Peninsula Division 2 cross country finals.

38. Claire Guiberson, senior, Mountain Vista CO - Wins season opener at Vista Nation XC 2-mile Invitational. Member of national championship team, finishing 32nd at Nike Cross Nationals.

39. Brianna Reilly, eighth grade, Harrisburg SD - Won opener at O'Gorman Invite and finished second to Ruby Ihmels at Augustana Invitational. South Dakota Class AA cross country state champion as seventh grader.

40. Tsadia Bercuvitz, junior, Ithaca NY - 15th at New York Federation Championships; Runner-up at New York Class A cross country state meet.

41. Millie Bayles, senior, Trabuco Hills CA - 37th at Nike Cross Nationals; Fourth at California Division 1 cross country state meet.

42. Ellie Maddox, senior, Sioux Falls Christian SD - Won Beresford Invite in first race, third at Augustana Twilight to Ruby Ihmels and Brianna Reilly. Runner-up at South Dakota Class A cross country state meet.

43. Emily Cohen, senior, Cherry Creek CO - Second at Vista Nation XC 2-mile Invitational, then won first race Arapahoe Warrior Invitational. 14th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; Fourth at Foot Locker Midwest; Third at Colorado 5A cross country state meet.

44. Hannah Genrich, freshman, Harrisburg SD - Second to teammate Brianna Reilly at O'Gorman Invite, fourth at Augustana Twilight. Seventh at NXR Heartland; Runner-up at South Dakota Class AA cross country state meet.

45. Maya Easterwood, junior, Coppell TX - Won first two races at Hebron Friday Night Hawk Invitational and Marcus Coach T Invitational. Third at Texas 6A cross country state meet.

46. Gianna Rahmer, sophomore, Eldorado NM - 2023 NXR Southwest champion won first race of season at Macen Holderman Cleveland Invite. Back-to-back New Mexico 5A cross country state champion.

47. Emry Schwalm, junior, Heritage CO - Eighth in 3,000 meters at Nike Outdoor Nationals; Ninth at Colorado 5A cross country state meet.

48. Anna Prok, senior, Niwot CO - Won season opener at Centaurus Bernie Gay Invitational while running alongside teammate Addy Ritzenhein. Seventh at RunningLane Cross Country Championships.

49. Brooke Chapman, senior, Olentangy Orange OH - Won opener at McGowan Invitational. 13th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; 10th at Foot Locker Midwest; Sixth at NXR Midwest; Runner-up at Ohio Division 1 cross country state meet.

50. Annika Swan, senior, Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep) IL - Completed time 3,200 meters time trial in 10:33.6. Runner-up at Illinois Class 2A cross country state meet.

51. Charlotte Hopkins, senior, Arcadia CA - 17th at Foot Locker West; 10th at California Division 1 cross country state meet.

52. Kate Foltz, senior, Tuscola IL - Won the Charleston XC Invitational. 16th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; 10th at NXR Midwest; Ninth at Foot Locker Midwest; Illinois Class 1A cross country state champion. 

53. Isabella Keller, junior, Effingham (St. Anthony) IL - 25th at NXR Midwest; Second at Illinois Class 1A cross country state meet.

54. Rowan Saacke, senior, Bridgeland TX - Second at Kingwood Tate Symons Classmate Challenge in season debut. Ninth at RunningLane Cross Country Championships; Eighth at NXR South; Eighth at Texas 6A cross country state meet.

55. Cassidy Armstrong, senior, Ballard WA - 17th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; Foot Locker West champion; 12th at NXR Northwest; Fourth at Washington 3A cross country state meet.

56. Mackenzie Skelly, freshman, William Penn Charter PA - Won season opener at Nike: Cherokee Challenge in impressive 10:45.3 3,200 meters time. Pennsylvania Independent Schools cross country champion as eighth grader.

57. Maddy Lane, junior, Hopkinton NH - Won season opener at Bobcat Invite. 42nd at Nike Cross Nationals; Fifth at NXR Northeast; Fifth at New England Interscholastic Cross Country Championships; Runner-up at New Hampshire Meet of Champions.

58. Elaina Pierce, senior, Charlottesville VA - 47th at Nike Cross Nationals; Fifth at NXR Southeast; Virginia Class 4A cross country state champion. 

59. Payton Meineke, senior, Riverdale Ridge CO - 11th at NXR Southwest; 16th at 2023 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

60. Mary Nesmith, senior, Marietta GA - 12th at NXR Southeast; Georgia 6A cross country state champion.

61. Bridget Smit, sophomore, Brighton UT - Second in first two races of the year to Lily Alder and Rozlyn Stowe, respectively, then won first race at Timpanogos Invitational. 14th at NXR Southwest; Fourth at Utah 5A cross country state meet.

62. Julia Kelly, sophomore, Downington West PA - 49th at Nike Cross Nationals; Fourth at NXR Northeast; Fourth at Pennsylvania 3A cross country state meet.

63. Carolina Areheart, senior, Webb School of Knoxville TN - Fourth at Cherokee Classic to begin season. 27th at Foot Locker Cross Country Championships; 72nd at Nike Cross Nationals; Sixth at Foot Locker South; Runner-up at NXR Southeast; Third at Tennessee DII-AA cross country state meet.

64. Leyla Bhusri, senior, Shenendehowa Central NY - 59th at Nike Cross Nationals; Second at New York Federation Championships; Third at New York Class A cross country state meet.

65. Addyson Bristow, senior, Canyon TX - 11th at NXR South; Texas 4A cross country state champion.

66. Skye Jensen, senior, American Fork UT - Third at both the UIAAA and Timpanogos Invitationals. 19th at NXR Southwest; Utah 6A cross country state champion. 

67. Maya Bybee, senior, Lone Peak UT - Fourth at Timpanogos Invitational to begin season. 34th at Nike Cross Nationals; 20th at NXR Southwest; Runner-up at Utah 6A cross country state meet. 

68. Jordan Banta, senior, Air Academy CO - Finished 14th in first race of season at Cheyenne Mountain Stampede. 44th at Nike Cross Nationals; 21st NXR Southwest; 16th at Colorado 5A cross country state meet. 

69. Molly Sundgren, junior, Buchanan CA - Seventh at Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle in first race of fall. 56th at Nike Cross Nationals; Fifth at California Division 1 cross country state meet.

70. Cayleigh Kaiser, junior, Union Catholic NJ - Second at Oak Ridge Invitational to teammate Paige Sheppard, 65th at Nike Cross Nationals; Third at NXR Northeast; Fourth at New Jersey Meet of Champions.

71. Baylee Espinosa, senior, Lewisburg Area PA - Won first two races of season at Big Valley Meet and Hughesville, Lewisburg, Warrior Run and Shikellamy. 73rd at Nike Cross Nationals; Seventh at NXR Northeast; Ninth at Pennsylvania 2A cross country state meet.

72. Addyson Guymon, senior, Emry UT - 15th at NXR Southwest; Fourth at Utah 3A cross country state meet.

73. Peyton VanDeest, junior, Spearfish SD - Won season opener at Northern Hills Invitational. 18th at NXR Heartland; Fourth at South Dakota Class AA cross country state meet. 

74. Zaria Hall, senior, East Meadow NY - 24th at New York Federation Championships; 13th at New York Class A cross country state meet; 10th in mile at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.

75. Sophia Thompson, junior, Union Catholic NJ - 83rd at Nike Cross Nationals; 10th at NXR Northeast; Eighth in mile at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.

76. Madelyn Reeder, junior, Highland UT - Won first two meets of the season and most recently finished second at Timpanogos Invitational

77. Julia Score, senior, Indianaoplis Bishop Chatard IN - 20th at NXR Midwest; 13th at Foot Locker Midwest; Fifth at Indiana cross country state meet. 

78. Anna Hrabovsky, junior, Romeo MI - Won first two races of season at Golden Grizzlies Invitational and MAC Red Jamboree. 36th at Nike Cross Nationals; 36th at NXR Midwest; Sixth at Michigan Meet of Champions.

79. Gaby Gutierrez, sophomore, Buchanan CA - Second at Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle in first race of fall. 52nd at Nike Cross Nationals; 11th at California Division 1 cross country state meet. 

80. Adi Bennett, junior, Lewisville Flower Mound TX - Finished third at Marcus Coach T Invitational to begin season. 63rd at Nike Cross Nationals; Ninth at NXR South; Fourth at Texas 6A cross country state meet.

81. Hallie Heemeyer, senior, Rocky Mountain ID - Three races, three wins to begin season, including a personal best run of 17:30.8 for 5k at Caldwell Twilight. 69th at Nike Cross Nationals, 13th at NXR Northwest; Third at Idaho 6A cross country state meet. 

82. Laney Barnes, senior, Houston Cypress Woods TX - In first year with new school, Barnes wins first four races, most recently at SHSU Region III Preview in new 5k personal best of 17:21.9. 11th at Virginia Class 6 cross country state meet while attending Battlefield High last fall.

83. Logan Kuhn, senior, Bethlehem Central NY - 68th at Nike Cross Nationals; Eighth at New York Federation Championships; Seventh at New York Class A cross country state meet. 

84. Naomi Douglas, senior, Fiorello H. LaGuardia NY - 74th at Nike Cross Nationals; Fifth at New York Federation Championships.

85. Brooklyn Buckley, sophomore, Buchanan CA - Won season opener at Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle. 53rd at Nike Cross Nationals; 19th at California Division 1 cross country state meet. 

86. Nelida Dalgas, senior, North Salem OR - 6th at NXR Northwest; Second at Oregon 6A cross country state meet. 

87. Addison Kegel, freshman, Billings Central Catholic MT - Won first two races of high school career at Billings Invitational and Hardin XC Invitational, highlighted by her 17:27.4 5k at Hardin. 

88. Isabella Ramirez, senior, Bullard CA - Finished third at Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle, won Central Valley Classic to begin season. Sixth at California Division 1 cross country state meet.

89. Anna Bockius, senior, Padua DE - Won season opener at Nike: Cherokee Challenge. 11th at NXR Southeast. Delaware D1 cross country state champion.

90. Abigail Anstett, junior, Georgetown Visitation Prep DC - 24th at NXR Southeast; Runner-up at District of Columbia Cross Country Championships.

91. Georgy Helmers, senior, E.E. Smith NC - 30th at Foot Locker South; 20th at NXR Southeast; Runner-up at North Carolina 3A cross country state meet. 

92. Maggie Madsen, junior, Cheyenne East WY - Seventh at NXR Northwest; Wyoming 4A cross country state champion.

93. Brielle Nilsson, senior, Lone Peak UT - 14th at Timpanogos Invitational in season debut. 46th at Nike Cross Nationals, 45th at NXR Southwest; 11th at Utah 6A cross country state meet. 

94. Lila Golomb, senior, Wayzata MN - Second to teammate Maddie Gullickson at St. Olaf Showcase in season opener. 75th at Nike Cross Nationals; 10th at NXR Midwest; Fifth at Minnesota Class AAA cross country state meet. 

95. Kyleen Brady, senior, Auburn NY - 79th at Nike Cross Nationals; Sixth at New York Federation Championships; 10th at New York Class A cross country state meet. 

96. Amaya Bharadwaj, senior, Palo Alto CA - Fourth at California Division 2 cross country state meet; Eighth in 1,600 at California state meet.

97. Mariah Hook, junior, Air Academy CO - Finished 11th at Cheyenne Mountain Stampede in season opener. 50th at Nike Cross Nationals; 44th at NXR Southwest; 37th at Colorado 5A cross country state meet. 

98. Ava Lindsey, junior, Greenville SC - 14th at Foot Locker South; 36th at NXR Southeast. 

99. Morgan Miller, senior, First Flight NC - 10th at NXR Southeast; 15th at Foot Locker South; North Carolina 3A cross country state champion. 

100. Lauren Banovac, senior, Brentwood TN - Began season with wins at Fast Times at Brentwood High and Saturday Light Fever. 77th at Nike Cross Nationals; 32nd at NXR Southeast; Fifth at Tennessee Division 1 cross country state meet.