By: Aron Taylor, Milesplit Utah Editor
Aron Taylor's Southwest Prognostication
The 2009 National XC campaign is upon the Southwest Region. With high hopes and eager anticipation teams from the 6 NXN Southwest Region states are training for their shot at national glory. Using 2008 region/district, State, NXN SW, and 09' track results each program in the Southwest Region has been given a power ranking. Starting with over 200 teams in six states I list the top 15 returning programs for the 2009 season. While pre-season rankings are simply a prognostication of a track junkie we wish all teams well, as we know, there are plenty of darkhorses waiting in the shadows for their opportunity at greatness.
On the boys side we have defending champion Albuquerque Academy out of New Mexico poised to defend their NXN Southwest Region Championship and looking to improve upon their 2008 season. The class of the Southwest Region, Albuquerque will face a stiff challenge from American Fork and Park City, Utah whom return most all varsity scorers. The two teams whom finished 1-2 at the 08' NM State Championships will be waiting in the wings for one of the top three to falter and misstep.
| 1. Albuquerque Academy, NM | Defending NXN SW Region Champions; NM State Champions |
| 2. American Fork, UT | Returning 6 varsity scorers from 08' NXN SW #4 team finish |
| 3. Park City, UT | Defending Utah 3A State Champions, Return all 7 varsity scorers |
| 4. Cibola, NM | Defending NM 5A Champion; Placed 3rd in 08' NXN SW Championships |
| 5. Sandia Prep, NM | Runner-up to Cibola @ 08' NM State Championships |
| 6. Catalina, AZ | Defending AZ State Champions return 5 from 08' varsity scorers |
| 7. Alhambra, AZ; 8. Regis Jesuit, CO; 9. Cherokee Trail, CO; 10. Coronado, CO; 11. Carson, NV; 12. Mountain Ridge, AZ; 13. Greeley West, CO; 14. Mingus, AZ; 15. Centennial, NV |
On the girls side it seems as though this will be the year of the Titan's as Classical Academy, CO returns 5 of 7 from a runner-up NXN SW finish in 2008 but should not matter as they are very deep. Chased closely by two amazingly dominant programs from Utah the Titan's will need to capitalize on major meet experience and look to claim their first NXN SW Region Championship. Those two teams from Utah, Mountain View and Park City each return most all varsity scorers from 2008. In the power rankings these top three programs finished less than 3 points apart. But do not underestimate the strength of the Colorado teams as this one state is looking to set the stage with the most dominant girls cross country programs.
| 1. Classical Academy, CO | Defending CO 3A State Champion & NXN SW #2 returns 5 of 7 from 08' |
| 2. Mountain View, UT | Returns 6 of 7 from dominant 08' campaign |
| 3. Park City, UT | Returns all 7 varsity scorers from 08'; placed 6 in top 20 at UT State |
| 4. Rio Rancho, NM | Defending NM 5A State Champion |
| 5. Highlands Ranch, CO | Placed 2nd @ 08' 5A CO State Championships; Returns 5 varsity scorers |
| 6. Cherry Creek, CO | Placed 3rd @ 08' 5A CO State Championships; Returns 5 varsity scorers |
| 7. Albuquerque Academy, NM; 8. Palmer, CO; 9. American Fork, UT; 10. Greeley Central, CO; 11. Boulder, CO; 12. Skyline, UT; 13. Fort Collins, CO; 14. Cedar City, UT; 15. Belen, NM & Mountain Crest, UT |
| Arizona Boys Pre-Season | Arizona Girls Pre-Season |
|
1. Catalina |
1. Page |
| 2. Alhambra | 2. Xavier Prep |
| 3. Mountain Ridge | 3. Ironwood Ridge |
| 4. Mingus | 4. Chinle |
| 5. Flowing Wells | 5. Pinnacle |
| New Mexico Boys Pre-Season | New Mexico Girls Pre-Season |
| 1. Albuquerque Academy | 1. Rio Rancho |
| 2. Cibola | 2. Albuquerque Academy |
| 3. Sandia Prep | 3. Belen |
| 4. Navajo Pine | 4. La Cueva |
| 5. St. Michael's | 5. Sandia Prep |
| Utah Boys Pre-Season | Utah Girls Pre-Season |
| 1. American Fork | 1. Mountain View |
| 2. Park City | 2. Park City |
| 3. Davis | 3. American Fork |
| 4. Pineview | 4. Skyline |
| 5. Mountain View | 5. Cedar City |
| Nevada Boys Pre-Season | Nevada Girls Pre-Season |
| 1. Carson | 1. South Tahoe |
| 2. Centennial | 2. Coronado |
| 3. Green Valley | 3. Centennial |
| 4. Shadow Ridge | 4. Shadow Ridge |
| 5. Lowry | 5. Arbor View / Lowry |
| Colorado Boys Pre-Season | Colorado Girls Pre-Season |
| 1. Regis Jesuit | 1. Classical Academy |
| 2. Cherokee Trail | 2. Highlands Ranch |
| 3. Coronado | 3. Cherry Creek |
| 4. Greeley West | 4. Palmer |
| 5. Open | 5. Greeley Central |