Preview
This is a huge weekend in the Midwest. Not only do the rest of the state meets take place, but two teams (both boys and girls) will receive the dubious distinction of being invited to the Nike Team National Meet. Each state meet this weekend will help decide just who gets invited to the meet, as well as where teams end up in the top ten regional rankings.
In Illinois, MW #1 York is the obvious favorite to win the state crown. Last weekend against four top ranked Illinois squads, York dominated the field as they placed their top seven in the top thirteen positions. However, York will still have to run their best on the day, and should be challenged by a handful of teams, including MW #4 Palatine.
On the girls side, MW #4 Naperville North ran an excellent race last weekend at their sectional, which was the hardest one in the state hands down, but this weekend they should be tested even greater by the likes of Wheaton North.
Michigan will be the state to watch this Saturday. With three boys teams ranked and four girls teams, Michigan has proved to be the top team state in the Midwest this fall. MW #3 Novi and MW #9 Milford will square off in the boy's race. Merely two weeks ago Novi upset then #2 Milford and has been rolling ever since. This weekend Novi will once again be seeking to win, but will face a handful of very tough teams, which could create some huge excitement. MW #6 Dexter has also been running strong, especially right now when it counts the most. They are in the DII race and are the favorites to win that one.
Meanwhile on the girls side, MW #1 Clarkston MI will get their chance to showcase just how good they really are, as they go toe to toe with MW #6 Rockford. Both of these teams have turned it on late in the season, which should make for some great racing. In the DII race East Grand Rapids has been showing great improvement the past few weeks, and has earned a spot in the rankings at #10. The DIII race will be MW #7 Goodrich's race to win. They are easily the favorite, but will have to run a great race if they hope to move up in the rankings.
The third and final state meet of the weekend in the Midwest is in Ohio. All season long MW #2 Bowling Green has been tearing up the competition in Ohio. This weekend these girls will get to showcase just how good they really are, as they take to the state course. They will of course be challenged by a few very good teams, including MW #8 Cincinnati Colerain, who have come together at the right time and should be feeling very confident as the season comes to a close on Saturday.
On the boys side, MW #7 Middletown has shown they are the team to beat the past two weekends and roll into state riding a huge wave of momentum. Last weekend they beat the strongest regional field in the state, which included MW #10 LaSalle. This weekend they will once again have to face a tough challenge, but should be prepared and ready to battle it out with any team that comes their way. MW #10 LaSalle has also run well the past two weeks and with another week of preparation, this team should be looking to upset Middletown and bring home the state title.
This is one great weekend in the Midwest, which will provide some excellent drama and results. Best of luck to all the teams this weekend who will be competing in their state meets. This is your time to shine.
Boys
1. Elmhurst York IL � The hands down favorites to win the Illinois State Cross Country Championship, York will be trying for much more than just winning. All season long this squad has focused on trying to be the best team ever in York history (being better than the US #1 York team of '99) and will get their chance this weekend. Many other strong teams will be in the field, including MW #4 Palatine.
2. Madison West WI � They do not compete this weekend, after they won their state meet last weekend in grand fashion.
3. Novi MI � This team has been on a roll the past few weeks, beating many top ranked Michigan squads and continuing to dominate the state last weekend. This weekend however they will have to match up once again against MW #9 Milford, as well as some other very good DI squads, as they head to the Michigan State Cross Country Championships.
4. Palatine IL � Last weekend, Palatine got a scare as they won their sectional meet by only one point. This weekend however, they will get a chance to redeem themselves as they attend their state meet.
5. Northridge IN � They do not compete this weekend. They won their state meet last Saturday.
6. Dexter MI � No one will ever know just how well this team would have stacked up against the likes of MW #3 Novi MI and MW #9 Milford MI late in the season, but as Dexter travels to their state meet this weekend they will get their final chance to showcase just how good they really are, as they compete in the DII race at the Michigan State CC Championship.
7. Middletown OH � Peaking at the right time, Middletown has really come into their own element and continues to climb the polls. Last weekend, Middletown beat the best regional field in Ohio and now moves on to the state championship, where they will get to face MW #10 one more time.
8. Carmel IN � They do not compete this weekend. They finished second at the Indiana State Meet to MW #5 Northridge IN.
9. Milford MI � This team has struggled the past few weeks as the season draws to its conclusion. This weekend they will get a chance of redemption, as they face off against MW #3 Novi MI at the Michigan State CC Championships.
10. LaSalle OH � Last weekend LaSalle lost to MW #7 Middletown, but this weekend they start with a blank slate as they take to the fields at their state championship. This team has been ranked before and with a week of preparation they should be ready to roll.
Girls
1. Clarkston MI � Being the favorites at a state meet is no easy task. There are expectations you have to live up to and if you don't win it is deemed a disappointment. This weekend at the Michigan State Cross Country Meet, Clarkston will be running the DI race and will be facing MW #6 Rockford MI among others. They will be challenged for the win for sure, but are still the favorites.
2. Bowling Green OH � Bowling Green has only lost once this season and that was to MW #1 Clarkston MI earlier in the year at the Midwest Meet of Champions. Since then, BG has been running strong and has looked unbeatable. Heading into the Ohio State Cross Country Championships this weekend, Bowling Green will be the easy favorite, but should feel the pressure for a handful of other teams, including MW #8 Cincinnati Colerain.
3. Waukesha West WI � They do not compete this weekend. They easily won the Wisconsin State CC Meet last weekend, beating MW #10 Pulaski WI for the win.
4. Naperville North IL � Last weekend Naperville North beat the strongest sectional field in Illinois rather easily. This weekend they will face off against every top notch team in the state as they head down to Peoria, Illinois for the Illinois State Cross Country Championships. They should be challenged by a handful of teams, but are the favorites to win the AA race.
5. Valparaiso IN � They do not compete this weekend. Last weekend they really impressed everyone in Indiana and the Midwest as they won the Indiana State Meet.
6. Rockford MI � Ever since Rockford's number one girl returned to the lineup, they have been looking very strong and ready to challenge Clarkston. This weekend they will get their chance as they go head to head with MW #1 Clarkston at the Michigan State CC Championship. Both teams will be facing off in the DI race.
7. Goodrich MI � They will be competing at the Michigan State Cross Country Championships this weekend. They are the easy favorites at the DIII level, and should easily win as they have been rolling through the competition the past few weeks.
8. Cincinnati Colerain OH � The past few weeks this team has returned back to its mid-season form and has been running extremely well. This weekend, they should give MW #2 Bowling Green a challenge in the DI race at the Ohio State Cross Country Meet.
9. East Grand Rapids MI � Moving into the top ten regionally since very early in the season, East Grand Rapids has been a steadily rising team the past few weeks. They are the favorites heading into the Michigan State Meet on the Division II level.
10. Pulaski WI � They do not compete this weekend. They move into the top ten for the first time this season after finishing second to MW #3 Waukesha West WI at the Wisconsin State CC Meet. |
