Boys XC AAA Preseason Power Rankings
1) HVA
2) Bearden
3) Brentwood
4) Houston
5) Independence
6) Oakland
7) Morristown-West
8) Oakridge
9) Cordova
10) Dobyns Bennett
1. HVA has a bulls eye on their backs but those bulls eye get small really fast. Probably the best one-two punch in Will Templeton and Aaron Templeton will keep them in them as the number one in the power rankings but after losing 2 of their top 5 guys. They will need some young guys to step up if they want to defend their title. If their whole team doesn’t perform again like last year the next top five team have a real chance to take the title away.
2. Bearden is one of the probably the best team one through five. They are like a wolf pack with about only 40 seconds between the first and fifth runner. Like we all know that the fifth runner is the most important runner on the team. With Bryan Fitzsimmons, Skyler Winchester, Cory Oegema and Matt Sturgill could be the alpha male on any given day. Also J.J. Shankles will bring up the rear of the pack. If they push each other they will be a team racing for the title in November.
3. Brentwood never seems like they are able to get over the hump and have all five guys run well at state. Could this be their year to finally get over the hump and capture a state title? Paul Stuart and Nathan Thomas are easily two of the best runners in Tennessee but Nathan Thomas has been unreliable at Steeple Chase in years past due to injuries. So if Nathan can show up to the line health and a fifth guy steps up, they will be right there with HVA and Bearden.
4. Houston is a lot like Bearden, except not as good fifth. That’s why they are fourth and not higher up. Ronald Boyett had a great track season and should lead this team. They will be battled test when they show up to Steeple Chase and more than ready to fight to prove that they belong on top of the podium.
5. Independence has a good 1-2 punch in Kris Howard and Jared Wingerter but to become an elite team like the previous name teams, they will need guys to step up in the 3, 4 and 5 spot this year. They will also be battled test like Houston but these eagles will need to work hard to fly to the top at Steeple Chase.
6. Oakland has the next best 1-2 punch after HVA just lacking the same depth. It’s a long season but with Brock Baker and Conner Thompson leading the charge for this team anything is possible for this team. They won’t be any worse than 6th due to them two. Their 3, 4 and 5 are a lot like Independence, they are good but unproven. With maybe the best runner in Tennessee leading your team makes you work that much harder.
7. Morristown-West will be good but after losing three senior, you just don’t reload for a shot at a state title. This team could sneak into the top 5 as you can never count out those boys from Mo town but sophomore Quentin McKinnish will be asked to step up and lead this team. This is a team that won’t be “down” for long. Must be nice to call a top ten ranking a down year.
8. Cordova is a solid team but they lack a few things to make them an elite team. Jaymes McCargo is a decent number one guy but hasn’t performed well at Steeple Chase. Like I mentioned before Cordova is a solid team but they lacks that final “oomph” to be consider an elite team. Expect this team to compete but just fall short.
9. Oakridge was a quality team last year but is in the toughest section in Tennessee, that left them looking in from the outside during the state meet. This year Van Schlenker and co. hope to be looking in at the green fields of Steeple Chase in November well maybe brown fields. I’m sure this team is going in this season with something to prove but they don’t have anything to prove since they were a top 10 team last year and unfortunately wasn’t at state. This team has a lot of upside to them and is a sleeper pick to move up the rankings into the top five if the co. can set up.
10. Dobyns Bennett has a great number one guy in Chris McElroy but one guy doesn’t make a team. It helps to have a great number one guy to push and lead a team but four other guys must set up and follow him. Keeping the spread between one and five below 2 minutes will help their chances to move up this list as the season goes. It’s a long season and anything could happen.