Within a few weeks, another high school cross country season will be underway, and the sport will begin its quest to determine over 300 state championship teams, the top teams in the country, and top individuals. Likewise, the debate to determine the nation's best team, region, program (boys and girls), individuals, and coaches has already begun. This preview will include an early look at the top teams, regions, and individuals, as well as trends and major meets impacting high school cross country.

To begin, it is obvious that most of the traditional powers will maintain their status at or near the top, and a few new and promising programs will continue to evolve on the national scene. Top boys teams and traditional powers, which will make an impact in 2000 include Mountain View (UT), Kingwood (TX), The Woodlands, (TX), Mead (WA), and York (IL). Established programs that will challenge this front pack include Rockford (MI), Poly (CA), Gloucester (MA), Flathead (MT), and Novi (MI). Upstart teams to watch include Atlantic (FL), Western Albemarle (VA), Robinson (VA), North Mecklenburg (NC), Clovis (CA), Cherokee (NJ), Klamath Union (OR), St. Anthony's (NY), Eureka (CA), and St. Xavier (OH).

Top girls' teams include Bingham (UT), Rockford (MI), Saratoga Springs (NY), Colonie Central (NY), and Campbell County (WY). Challengers to the throne are San Lorenzo Valley (CA), Pennisula (CA), and Middletown (MD). Additionally, several very strong teams that have seldom traveled out of their region will move into the national spotlight, and a few surprises are certain. Teams to watch include Hopi (AZ), Bowman (ND), Manchester Central (NH), Eisenhower (WA), Green Valley (NV), and Iowa City West, (IA).

On the individual front, new stars will emerge to challenge last year's returning super stars and an outstanding fresh crop of youngsters at the freshman and sophomore levels will establish themselves as candidates for the next All-Americans. Top boys will be lead by Dathan Ritzenhein, who will make a claim this school year as the best high school distance runner of all time. An excellent group including Nick Schneider of Benilde-St Margaret's (MN); Alan Webb of South Lakes (VA); Ryan Hall of Big Bear (CA); Bobby Lockhart of Handley (VA); Stephen Haas of North Mecklenburg (NC); Eric Heinonen of South Eugene (OR); Rob Korborsi of Jersey Village (TX); and Brian McGovern of Fairfield Prep (CT) will follow him.

The girls will be lead by Anita Siraki of Hoover (CA); Alicia Craig of Campbell County (WY); Felicia Guliford of Gallup (NM); Michelle dela Vina of Wheeler (IN); Laura Zeigle of Bingham (UT); Alejandra Barrientos of San Lorenzo Valley (CA); Kalin Toedebusch of Rockford (MI); and Sara Bei of Montgomery (CA).

SUMMARY

In terms of overall depth, the nation's top two regions will be the Midwest and West. Rockford will have the top program consisting of both boys' and girls' teams. The top boys will include Stephen Haas, Ryan Hall, Erik Heinonen, Dathan Ritzenhein, Bobby Lockhart, Seth Pilkington, Nick Schneider, Chris Toloff, and Alan Webb. The top girls will include Alejandra Berrientos, Anita Siraki, Felicia Guliford, Laura Zeigle, Alicia Craig, Erin Donohue, Michelle dela Vina, Kalin Toedebusch, and Sara Bei.

The top girls' teams will likely include Bingham, Bowman, Campbell County, Colonie Central, Rockford, San Lorenzo Valley and Saratoga Springs. The top boys' teams will include Flathead, Klamath Union, Mountain View, Novi, the Woodlands, Rockford and York.