Way Too Early 2016 XC Rankings

Girls

1) St. Joseph's Academy- SJA returns so much quality it is hard to not see them as not only favorites, but strong favorites for the 2016 season.

2) Mandeville- Just because Mandeville graduates a ton doesn't mean they don't have a ton coming back.  Their JV is most team's varsity squads.  They will be a force for the future.

3) Ascension Catholic- The Bulldogs are strong next year and if their #5 can run XC like she runs the 800, AC is your #1 team next year.

4) Dominican- This strong program with strong numbers will always find a way to be relevant.  There is a solid pack returning next year and Emily Doyle will be the anchor.

5) St. Michael- The 4A champs return their entire top 7.

6) Sacred Heart Nola- They return a strong squad and is always known for finding young talent and getting them coached up quickly.

7) St. Thomas Aquinas- STA graduates one but return the bulk of their state championship squad.  

8) Lusher Charter- Lusher will still be a 3A contender next fall, even with the graduation of their top 10 senior.

9) Menard- When is Menard not top-10 worthy? The 2A runner ups bring a lot back to the table in 2016.

10) Episcopal- What is shaping up to be a great 2A race in a year, EHS also could do damage at the state level.

Returning rankings based on time alone:

Boys

1) St. Paul's- SPS did not do well on the home stretch of this year, but next year they return every member of the fastest team timewise, and with their anchor being the lock for the individual title, it will be hard for other teams to overcome that 1 point.

2) Episcopal- EHS is young and scary.  They dismantled every 2A team they competed against and beat most 5A schools they came against.  Expect next year for them to win every race that SPS doesn't show up to. They only graduate one senior, Alex Dunbar.

3) Brother Martin- Another team that returns everyone of consequence, Brother Martin has the best chance to unseat SPS next year.

4) Jesuit- Based on returning times alone they should be lower, but we have seen how that has worked out.  Jesuit finds a way to get it done, especially when the big dogs aren't ready to go.

5) Holy Cross- Holy Cross loses no one off a squad that finished 7th in 5A.  They have upside like Brother Martin has upside.

6) Parkway- The panthers lose a key cog in Jacob Hammons, but overall they are resilient and seem to be ready to race every year.

7) Catholic High- CHS gets hit hard by graduation this year.  Of course they clearly have the means to be higher on this list.  The question is will the young talent step up?

8) John Curtis- Graduating the top runner in the state and another well-polished senior makes it hard to keep a high ranking, especially when the options for a fifth man are all mingling in the high 17s/low 18s right now.

9) Mandeville- If Mandeville can find a solid fifth man they could pas CHS and JCCS on this list.

10) St. Michael- StM returns all 7 off their state chapionship squad.

Returning rankings based on time alone: