By Michael Newman

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Each week, we will be publishing an updated list of who we see are in the top 25 for both the Boys and the Girls nationally. Top 5 Sectional lists will be published every week up to the Nike Cross Nationals in December.

You can find updated lists each week on ILXCTF.com.

Top 25 Boys National Lists | Boys Regional Rankings

1 – Purcerville Loudoun Valley VA

This team has not disappointed in their first two races including a win at the Oatlands (VA) last Saturday. Sam Affolder and Peter Morris give the Vikings a strong presence in the front. The split on five at Oatlands was 76 seconds compared to a 51 second spread at PTXC-9 on September 9.

2 – Temecula Great Oak CA

The Wolfpack has looked strong in their first two races including an impressive win last Saturday at the Woodbridge Classic. Led by the fifth-place finish by Carlos Carvajal, Great Oak had a 30 second spread on their top five with an average team time of 14:37 for the fast Woodbridge 3-mile course.

3 – Carmel IN

This Indiana powerhouse has looked good early in this season but made a statement in winning the Trinity/Valkyre Invitational in Louisville last Saturday. The Greyhounds were led by top ten finishes by Colin Murphy and Keelan Grant. Only 38 seconds separated their top five scorers in that race.

4 – Plymouth Wayzata MN

Have not seen this team at full strength since their win at the Columbus Catholic (WI) Invitational on September 2. Will face Great Oak at the Roy Griak Invitational this Saturday. In their Wisconsin race, the Trojans put all their scorers in the top ten with only 19 seconds separating the five led by Grant Price and Khalid Hussein.

5 – Alpharetta Milton GA

The Eagles jumped into the top ten nationally after their strong run in winning the Knights Crossing Invitational (VA) on September 9. Sam Bowers’ win along with the third-place finish by Nick Yanek led five runners in the top ten with a 51 second spread on the group. Milton scored a perfect 15 in winning the Fulton County Championships last Saturday.

6 – Springville UT

Lost by one point to American Fork last Saturday at the BYU Autumn Invitational (UT) placing their top 4 in the top 21. The Red Devils were missing #5 runner Zach Dalley in this race. Grant Gardner and Brandon Garnica finished 3-4 with 33 seconds separating their top four.

7 – Louisville St. Xavier KY

Finished second behind Carmel last Saturday at the Trinity/Valkyre Invitational. Patrick Schaefer was the top runner for the Tigers finishing fifth overall. There was a 31 second split from Schaeffer to the Tigers second through sixth runners. Their pack is tight with only 2.6 seconds separating their next five runners.

8 – Downers Grove North IL

We have not seen their full lineup due to injuries, sickness, and ACT testing. The Trojans still looked good shorthanded winning the First to the Finish Invitational at Deweiller Park on September 9. North won the Minooka Flight Invitational last Saturday winning six of the seven varsity races. We will find out how strong this team is at the Naperville Twilight Meet on October 4.

9 – Portland Jesuit OR

Joshua Schumacher has not made his seasonal debut yet. The Crusaders did look strong in winning the Ash Creek Invitational (OR) behind the second-place finish from Grant Summers. Jesuit placed 5 runners in the top 11 with 39 seconds separating their scorers. Only 15 seconds separated their top four runners.

10 – Central Point Crater OR

Finished sixth at their Ash Creek Invitational without their top seven intact. We should see this squad at full strength at the Nike Portland Classic on September 30.

11 – Lincroft Christian Brothers NJ

We should see this team in their Varsity debut this Saturday at the Bowdoin Park Classic. Team competed at the Battle of Ocean Park last Friday.

12 – Phoenix Desert Vista AZ

It was a strong national statement by Desert Vista as they finished second behind Great Oak at the Sweepstakes Race at the Woodbridge (CA) Classic. This is a team that we could see in Portland this December. Reece Donihi led a spread of 26 seconds on their top five.

13 – Dublin CA

Jumped into the top 25 after a third-place finish at the Woodbridge Classic. Adrian Schroeder finished fourth running a swift 14:09 for 3-miles. Their spread on five was 70 seconds. The split for their second through fifth runner was 40 seconds.

14 – Cary Green Hope NC

Green Hope started their season by winning the Friday Night Lights Invitational on September 8. They finished second behind top ranked Loudon Valley last Saturday at the Oatlands (VA) Invitational without their top runner Ryan Kemper. Senior Peyton Barish led the team with a fifth-place finish.

15 – Conroe The Woodlands TX

Opened their season on September 7 by winning the Moonlight Madness Invitational (TX). Gavin Hoffpauir won the individual race and six Woodlands runners in the top nine. 36 seconds separated their five scorers.

16 – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake NY

Five runners in the first ten pushed the Spartans to a win at the Guilderland Invitational on September 9. Tyler Berg and Aidan Gillooley finished 2-3 within three seconds of each other. The spread was 51 seconds on their top five.

17 – Naperville Neuqua Valley IL

The Wildcats looked strong despite mid-80-degree temperatures winning the Richard Spring Invitational last Saturday. Zach Kinne led his team finishing third running 14:39 on the 3-mile Detweiller Park course. 52 seconds separated their top five. 22 seconds separated their pack from their second runner to their fifth runner.

18 – Los Angeles Loyola CA

A team to watch on the California scene looked strong in their first two meets at the Rosemead Invitational and the Mt. Carmel Invitational last Saturday. In the Senior race at the Mt. Carmel meet, Shane Bissell led a 38 second split on their top five.

19 – Princeton NJ

Princeton has yet to race this season. Their first meet will be this Saturday at the Bowdoin Park Classic.

20 – Fayetteville-Manlius NY

The Hornets displayed why they could return to Portland after a win on New York’s state meet course at the Wayne Central Invitational. Ben Otis led his team with a third-place finish. Their overall split was 56 seconds on their top five. The time separation on their top four runners was only 30 seconds.

21 – Orem Timpanagos UT

Have finished second behind Springville (UT) in two meets this season including a second-place finish at the Murray Invitational on September 8. In that race, Brennan Benson and Ben Berlin led the Timberwolves with top-ten finishes. Their split was good with 37 seconds separating their five scorers.

22 – Eastvale Eleanor Roosevelt CA

We have not seen their team at full force this season. They did finish second behind Loyola in the senior race at the Mt. Carmel Invitational behind the 2-3 finish from Tyler Spencer and Raymon Ornelas.

23 – Louisville Monarch CO

Steps into the top 25 after an impressive win at the St. Vrain Invitational on September 9. Charlie Perry won the individual title while Will Dixon placed fourth to pace the Coyotes. Keep an eye on their second through fifth runners. The split was 56 seconds on that pack in this race.

24 – Veradale Central Valley WA

Central Valley started their season last Saturday by winning the Fort Steilacoom (WA) Invitational. Gabe Romney led the team with a seventh-place finish. Their next three runners were across the line by 16^th place overall. That split was 29 seconds with an overall top five split of 41 seconds.

25 – Southlake Carroll TX

The Dragons displayed some tight pack running in finishing fifth at the Woodbridge Classic. Enzo Mortimer, Jack Myers, and Jackson Felkins finished within two seconds of each other with an overall top five spread of 21 seconds.