ILXCTF – Mike Newman – News – Behind the ILXCTF.com XC Rankings

Behind the ILXCTF.com XC Rankings – September 7, 2022

By Michael Newman [email protected]

My process of figuring out what team should be ranked where has evolved since I started doing it for myself now for close to 25 years now. It’s not throwing darts at team names or picking school names out of a hat. I wish it was that easy. Back then, it gave me an idea of teams to watch or a writing tool for me if you want to call it that.

There is a cycle that goes on with cross country in this state when we see a mass number of all-state runners graduating setting off a chain reaction for teams across the state in which anything goes with the rankings. Then I end up writing and explaining why teams went were or things I see that could factor in when we get to the state series.

You are reading this now. So, that chain reaction is setting up.

For me, it is a matter of looking back at courses and how they compare to Detweiller. I have a grading code for that. I look at splits of teams and how they compare to other teams that are close in quality to them. Add some sugar, spice, some grass from Detweiller Park, and mix them all together and I come up with my weekly charts.

The inexperience of some teams are showing early. It is only one week of major meets but there is this trend that is developing. The next four weeks with some meets held at Detweiller Park will give us a better idea of which teams we could see in November.

Remember, it does not matter where you start but where you finish when you cross the line in November.

Here is my explanation for this week. You can follow each week’s ILXCTF Rankings on our RANKINGS PAGE

3A Boys

I thought we would see two or three teams break away from the rest of the field. Right now, there is one team solidly at the top, five more tams lurking behind, and then close to 17 teams that are within 25 to 30 seconds team time wise within each other. Things will be changing dramatically this month.

Hinsdale Central solidified their position at the top with a good (not great) race last Saturday on their home course. I look now and kick myself that I did not rank Downers Grove North higher. A great race at Neuqua Valley along with a solid win last week at St. Charles puts them ahead of Plainfield South. The two teams match up nicely and should provide a close race in Peoria. Neuqua Valley, Oswego East and Palatine ran well at Hinsdale. I can’t wait to see Alex Krieg run three-miles soon. The…