XC Rankings

Here we go for the guys.

1	Haddonfield	This was pretty Easy, you have one of south jersey best coaches working with 4 of his top 6 from last year that averaged 17:12 last year at Holmdel and with a strong number one guy in Greg Halla it’s no surprise Haddonfield is preseason number 1.
2	Kingsway	The Dragons were 10 points off of third place Millburn in Group III last year and even though they lose Tom Cooke they still return a core group of seniors in Ryan Magnus, Joe Pickett, Jay Wunnava, and Derrell Manhertz. Don’t forget they have a potential stud as well in sophomore Noah Culbreath.
3	Paul VI	Have solid number 1 man in Neil Macfarlane. Also 39 second spread at last year’s group meet between their number 1 guy to their 5^th guy…….All 5 return this fall.
4	Bishop Eustace	Eustace led South Jersey at MOC last year as a team finishing 16^th place. They return all 5 of their scorers but there are questions to be answers due to the weak competition that is non public B. Expect to see Eric Franklin lead the way for the Crusaders this fall.
5	Haddon Twp.	The Hawks return 4 of their top 7 and have one of the better one, two punch combos in the area with Trey Thatcher and Andrew Shaw. Also, with such a successful campaign in 2011 it should be no surprise that these guys will not only race mature but race tough……..The Hawks are a team to watch out for!!
6	Haddon Heights	Heights returns 6 of the their top 7 and has quality top guy in Chris Gandolfo-Lucia. They also qualified for MOC last fall and look to improve on their 17^th place finish last November
7	Pleasantville	One of the more underrated programs in South Jersey Pleasantville…..They return 4 of their top 5, with their top guy being a 1:53 800 guy in Isaac Clarke. Isaac also ran 16:41 at Holmdel last year making him one of the areas more dangerous runners with his ridiculous range. Isaac will have plenty to think about at the front of races but there is no doubt he’ll be curious as to how his teammates are doing behind him.
8	Cherokee	Scoring 1 point consistently through your number 1 guy is every teams dream. Well when you have the returning runner of year in Shawn Wilson and One of the more prominent running programs in the area it’s hard not to have Cherokee on this list. Though they lost a couple of guys from last year look for them to improve throughout the season.
9	Highland	Rumor has it that Highland is getting a number of stud freshman and when you team stud freshman up with a quality number one guy, Steve Maine, you’re going to have a great team. I hope my source wasn’t BSing me!!!!
10	Ocean City	Return 4 of top 5 and Kevin Scott one of the more underrated runners in South Jersey….running 16:35 at Holmdel last year. Look for him to lead the red raiders this year to a successful season.
Other teams to watch for: Moorestown, Camden Catholic, Shawnee, Lenape, Hammonton, Clearview, Northern Burlington, Washington Twp, Egg Harbor Twp., Vineland

And for the ladies.

1	Moorestown	Most likely the deepest team in South Jersey. Enough said for now…
2	Lenape	With one of the better 1, 2 punches in South Jersey, Natalia Ocasio and Emily McGee will look to lead Lenape in a very competitive group IV field.
3	Haddonfield	With the projected South Jersey runner of the year, Meghan Malloy, and a great number 2 girl in Shelby Cain Haddonfield will look to get their team back to MOC this year.
4	Delsea	Can never count out the top returning team from MOC. Delsea Finished 14^th overall last year and Celine Mazzi looks to be Delsea’s top returner
5	Seneca	Lost to Delsea by only 4 points at the Group III championships and will look to surpass the Crusaders for at minimum the 3^rd and final spot to MOC. Mara Schiffhauer will look to lead the Eagles over the hump this year.
6	Paul VI	Led by Sophomore Monica Lee the Eagles will look to improve on their 6^th place finish at Groups last year as they return 4 of their top 7 runners.
7	Cherokee	Even though the Chiefs lose Standford Cardinal Meghan Lacy to graduation expect them to reload and also a big season from their top returner Melissa Arnold
8	Bishop Eustace	Yes. I know they lost their top 4 including future Duke Blue Devil Holly Bischof, but their 6 and 7 girls return and they weren’t too far behind their 3 and 4. Again expect them to reload and a quality season out of Mikaela Geka-Robinson, Katie Simalchik, Natalia Marrone.
9	Ocean City	O.C. returns their top 4 girls and Mary Kate Brelsford will look to lead the Red Raiders throughout the season
10	Williamstown	Vicky Ajimoko had a breakout year last year and will look to bring her Braves with her to the top this season.
Other teams to watch for: Moorestown, Camden Catholic, Shawnee, Lenape, Hammonton, Clearview, Northern Burlington, Washington Twp, Egg Harbor Twp., Vineland.