Sep 27, 2013

We begin our eighth year of the PennTrackXC.com XC Team Rankings - a poll of coaches from around the state to rank the top cross country teams of the season. This year for the second time, two are reserved for the top five A schools, top five AA schools; and which has been the case since its inception, the Top 10 reflects all PA schools, whether A, AA, AAA, public or private. And this year, we'll wait for THREE weekends of competition before making any adjustments – giving many of the teams an opportunity to get their first races under their spikes. Remember, this poll is for fun, and is intended solely to spark conversation about the sport. Once we're on a weekly schedule, the poll will be published on either Wednesdays or Thursdays.

September 27: Update #2

Top 10 Girls Teams (All - Public & Private)

1. Unionville (1): Best team score at Cherokee for 2nd year in a row. Headed to McQuaid on Saturday.
2. Pennsbury (1): Narrow winners at the PIAA Foundation Gold Race.
3. Mount Lebanon (7): Close 2nd place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race.
4. Central Bucks East (1): Winners of Briarwood Championship race. Have won 4 invitationals this season
5. Downingtown West (1): 2nd best team score at Cherokee invitational.
6. Strath Haven (1): 3rd place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race. Headed to Six Flags Invite.
7. North Allegheny (7): 4th place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race.
8. Great Valley (1): 2nd place at Briarwood Championship Race
9. North Penn (1): 3rd place at Briarwood Championship Race
10. Council Rock North (1): Winners of George School Invitational.

Top 5 Class AA School Girls Teams

1. Archbishop Wood (12): Winners of PIAA Foundation Blue Race
2. Villa Maria Academy (10): 2nd place at PIAA Foundation Blue Race
3. Dallas (2): Ran reserve squad at PIAA Foundation Blue Race
4. Palmyra (3): Off weekend after two invitational wins so far this season
5. Northwestern Lehigh (11): 3rd place at PIAA Foundation Blue Race

Top 5 Class A School Girls Teams

1. Elk Lake (2): Winners of PIAA Foundation White Race
2. Holy Cross (2): 2nd place at PIAA Foundation White Race
3. Central Cambria (6): 2nd place at Altoona Invitational
4. Germantown Friends (Independent): 6th place overall at Cherokee Invitational
5. Montrose (2): 3rd place at PIAA Foundation White Race

Top 10 Boys Teams (All - Public & Private)

1. North Allegheny (7): Winners of PIAA Foundation Blue Race with 16 second spread
2. West Chester Henderson (1): Have yet to make season debut at 5000 meters
3. Cardinal O'Hara (12): Winners of Briarwood Championship race
4. Lower Dauphin (3): 2nd place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race
5. State College (6): 3rd place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race
6. West Chester East (1): 6th place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race
7. Mount Lebanon (7): 7th place at PIAA Foundation Gold Race
8. Penncrest (1): Off weekend after two runner up finishes in the first two weeks of the season
9. Conestoga (1): 2nd place overall at Cherokee Invitational
10. Downingtown West (1): 4th place overall at Cherokee Invitational

Top 5 Class AA School Boys Teams

1. Pottsgrove (1): Winners of PIAA Foundation Blue Race
2. Malvern Prep (Independent): 3rd place at Briardwood Championship Race
3. Scranton Prep (2): Off weekend after three invitational top fives
4. South Fayette (7): Off weekend after two top five finishes this season
5. Dallas (2): Off weekend after a pair of top five finishes in the first two weekends

Top 5 Class A School Boys Teams

1. Masterman (12): Winners of PIAA Foundation White Race
2. Sagertown (10): 2nd place at PIAA Foundation White Race
3. Northeast Bradford (4): 3rd place at PIAA Foundation White Race
4. Mercyhurst Prep (10): 4th place at Midwest Catholic Championships in Ohio
5. Central Cambria (6): 4th place at Altoona - Top A Team