By Michael Newman

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Each week, we will be published an updated list of who we see are in the top 25 for both the Boys and the Girls. Regional lists have been increased to 10 schools and 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 Girls National Lists | Top 10 Girls Regional Lists

Notes

There was plenty of action even though top two teams Fayetteville-Manlius (NY) and Buchanan (CA) did not race this weekend.

The Roy Griak Invitational produced the closest finish in a Girls meet from this past weekend. Illinois power #4 Naperville North put 3 runners in the first 21 and their top five in before #5 Great Oak’s top five as the Illinois school edged Great Oak 154-156 for the Gold Division team championship. Sarah Schmitt led the Lady Huskies with a fourth-place finish while Alex Morris finished tenth overall. Great Oak has reloaded and will contend for the national championship led by transfer Tori Gaitan, who finished 6^th, and the pack of Fatima Cortes (19^th) and Sandra Pflughoft (22^nd) close behind.

Claremont (CA) made a successful debut at the Bob Firman Invitational winning the elite division title and entering the rankings at #7. They narrowly won 137-140 ahead of #8 Bozeman (MT). Five of the seven Claremont runners in this race are underclassmen led by the 10^th place finish from junior Sydney Hwang and 15^th place finish from Asalea Segura-Mora. Bozeman’s Camila Noe led her team by finishing third.

#3 Mountain Vista (CO) placed four runners in the first six to dominate a good field at the Pat Patten (CO) Invitational. The Golden Eagles scored 37 points for the team win ahead of Battle Mountain and #21 Broomfield. Jenna Fitzsimmons and Sarah O’Sullivan went 1-2 to lead Mountain Vista. The Southwest Region looks to be extremely tough with up to ten schools capable of finishing in the NXN Regional race this November. Skyline (UT) entered the top 25 at #16 after their fourth-place finish at the Bob Firman Invitational. Mountain View (UT) entered at #18 after winning the Nebo (UT) Invitational last Friday ahead of #20 Lone Peak (UT) and Pleasant Grove (UT).

Wayzata (MN) jumped into the top 25 at #20 after finishing third at the Roy Griak Invitational. Blacksburg (VA) moved back into the top 25 at #25 after winning the Cougar Clash in Dublin, Virginia putting four runners in the first seven.