No. 3: New Orleans Jesuit (LA)
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Analysis: Everything went wrong for Jesuit at the Garmin RunningLane Cross Country Championships last December. Their top runner went down early. They were in a big hole a mile in. Somehow, the Bluejays still finished fourth.
What's scary is head coach Cullen Doody believes this team is even better in 2023. Only four returners are back from last year's team that scored a perfect 15 at the Louisiana state Division I championships, but among them is junior Brady Mullen -- who became the first athlete in 40 years to break 9 minutes for 3,200m in May -- and Michael Vocke, a multiple-time state champion in track and field.
This team has just as much talent as last year. Now, can they put it together?
Biggest Question: Silencing the doubters.
For as long as NXR South has existed, the biggest hurdle for non-Texas teams has been qualifying for the national title race. It just hasn't been done. That could change in 2023, especially if a few teams from outside Texas decide to compete at NXR. Jesuit is one of them.
RANK | DATE-TEAM |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 21 -- Ridgefield (CT) |
| 24 | Aug. 21 -- Bentonville (AR) |
| 23 | Aug. 21 -- Ventura (CA) |
| 22 | Aug. 21 -- McCallie School (TN) |
| 21 | Aug. 21 -- Rocky Mountain (ID) |
| 20 | Aug. 22 -- Portland Jesuit (OR) |
| 19 | Aug. 23 -- Downers Grove North (IL) |
| 18 | Aug. 24 -- Riverton (UT) |
| 17 | Aug. 25 -- Great Oak (CA) |
| 16 | Aug. 26 -- Valor Christian (CO) |
| 15 | Aug. 27 -- Carmel (IN) |
| 14 | Aug. 28 -- Wichita Trinity Academy (KS) |
| 13 | Aug. 29 -- Union Catholic (NJ) |
| 12 | Aug. 30 -- Farragut (TN) |
| 11 | Aug. 31 -- University (WV) |
| 10 | Sept. 1 -- CBA (NJ) |
| 9 | Sept. 2 -- Stevens Point (WI) |
| 8 | Sept. 3 -- Herriman (UT) |
| 7 | Sept. 4 -- Wayzata (MN) |
| 6 | Sept. 5 -- Belen Jesuit (FL) |
| 5 | Sept. 6 -- Coeur d'Alene (ID) |
| 4 | Sept. 6 -- Southlake Carroll (TX) |
| 3 | Sept. 6 -- New Orleans Jesuit (LA) |
| 2 | Sept. 6 -- Crater (OR) |
| 1 | Sept. 6 -- American Fork (UT) |