{"comments":{"861281":{"pb_id":"24972","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"861281","comment_id":"861281","member_id":"24972","comment":"Just a note, Julia Maxwell is healthy. She's been training all summer and should be considered one of the favorites in the seeded race in this weekends Stanford Invite. She broke her toe mid way through the Arcadia 3200 last spring and it's very probable she started the race with a stress fracture.","date_added":"Sep 21st 2013, 5:15pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Benjtr","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=24972","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Benjtr.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"688683"},"860889":{"pb_id":"49498","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"860889","comment_id":"860889","member_id":"49498","comment":"

<\/a>watchout, on , said:<\/p>

\nFor my rankings, yes. I only look at what happens during the championship races, plus improvement during track.
\n
\nBut these aren't my rankings, and it's relevant to point out how runners stack up. Faster in track (for whatever reason), faster at Woodward, though not as fast but not all that far off at Mt. SAC, but 2-0 head to head at the end of the season seems like more than sufficient reason to pick Williams ahead of Julia Maxwell.
\n
\nIMO... this is about how I'd put it:
\n
\n1. Cain<\/strong> - she wasn't far off in conditions that favored Baxter at NXN last year, and was much stronger in track.
\n2. Baxter<\/strong> - 2-time defending NXN Champ
\n3\/4. Efraimson\/Rohrer<\/strong> - These two seem interchangeable to me... I think Efraimson was a little better at NXN than Rohrer at FLN (and was better on the track), but Rohrer won her race and is the returning FLN Champ, and the difference at NXN\/FLN wasn't huge. If I had to choose, I'd probably go Efraimson #3 and Rohrer #4, but not a big edge either way.
\n5-7. Marissa Williams\/Jordyn Colter\/Elise Cranny<\/strong>. Take whatever order you want, they are all very good in cross. Cranny seems like the better miler of this bunch, Williams has the best 3200m credentials, and Coulter probably had the best finish at XC Nationals last year (4th FLN and within 5 seconds of Rohrer vs. 8th FLN for Williams and 7th NXN for Cranny). Plus, Coulter finished third at Stanford last year (as you point out), in a race that also included Cranny and Julia Maxwell behind her. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with Williams or Colter at #5, and Cranny at #7... Colter if I was worried more about how well they do in cross (#4 vs. #8 at FLN), Williams if I was more concerned about how good they looked this spring (3200m telling more about XC potential than 1500m), or Cranny if it came down to who would probably have the better kick. None of those three would have a significant edge, though.
\n
\nFor #8 and beyond... it's too close for me to really have much of an opinion one way or another. Lots of very good athletes are right there IMO, and that includes both Maxwells (and the bulk of Doug's top 30).
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nI also agree that Williams is really a great prospect here. I think a key thing to note is that Williams did not run even one fresh 3200 in 2013. Every single 3200 she ran was with a sub 5:00 1600 run a few hours prior. I think its safe to say that William's 3200 time is a bit soft for her ability. She's so talented and in a weak enough section that she doubled her way to and through state. If she was in the Southern Section she would have stuck to one event and would certainly have a 3200 PR in the low 10:20s or perhaps faster.","date_added":"Sep 21st 2013, 12:37am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"MatthewXCountry","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=49498","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/MatthewXCountry.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1194309"},"853872":{"pb_id":"43831","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853872","comment_id":"853872","member_id":"43831","comment":"

<\/a>DougB, on , said:<\/p>

\nWill she go head to head with Annika Gompers anytime soon?
<\/div><\/div>
\nAnnika is in a prep school, ISL\/NEPSTA, different worlds
\nSo, NO, not likely
\nHowever McNulty's track resume is better FWIW B)","date_added":"Sep 12th 2013, 6:04pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"300kicks","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_wally_id":"1074107"},"853869":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853869","comment_id":"853869","member_id":"44418","comment":"Will she go head to head with Annika Gompers anytime soon?","date_added":"Sep 12th 2013, 5:49pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"853825":{"pb_id":"43831","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853825","comment_id":"853825","member_id":"43831","comment":"

<\/a>DougB, on , said:<\/p>

\nSo you're saying she's higher than 86? :)
\nHow high would you place her?
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nFastest returner NXN Northeast (6th in '12)
\nReturning Massachusetts D2 Champ 18:20 on a VERY challenging Northfield Mt Course
\nCatarina Rocha (FL Runner-up) ran 18:06 in D1\/Record holder Shalane Flanagan Marblehead 17:54
\n
\nhttp:\/\/ma.milesplit....0-times-updated<\/a>
\n
\nTop 50 for sure B)","date_added":"Sep 12th 2013, 4:00pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"300kicks","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_wally_id":"1074107"},"853344":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853344","comment_id":"853344","member_id":"44418","comment":"So you're saying she's higher than 86? :)
\r\nHow high would you place her?","date_added":"Sep 11th 2013, 7:06pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"853330":{"pb_id":"42418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853330","comment_id":"853330","member_id":"42418","comment":"McNulty has a 10:28 3200 PR from Loucks ... she looks like she'll be a major force this fall. Winning boys time in that race was only 16:33.
\n
\n

<\/a>300kicks, on , said:<\/p>

\nMartha's Vineyard Invite 5k
\n1 #108 McNulty, Abbie SR Bishop Feehan 5:38.7 17:32.14 1 :D (10:44 Full 2Mile)
\n 2 #461 Worters, Stella SR Shepherd Hill 6:07.9 19:02.83 2 (2:57 1k\/5:11 Mile)
\n 3 #97 Harum, Brynna SR Bishop Feehan 6:12.7 19:17.80 3
\n 4 #371 Kennedy, Taylor SR Notre Dame A 6:14.9 19:24.67 4
\n 5 #88 Cutillo, Jackie JR Bishop Feehan 6:23.3 19:50.58 5
\n 6 #455 Schultz, Juleanna JR Shepherd Hill 6:24.9 19:55.56 6
\nhttp:\/\/www.coolrunni...rtha_set2.shtml<\/a>
<\/div><\/div>","date_added":"Sep 11th 2013, 6:57pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-42418.jpeg","pb_title":"SteveU","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=42418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/SteveU.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1030740"},"853279":{"pb_id":"43831","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"853279","comment_id":"853279","member_id":"43831","comment":"Martha's Vineyard Invite 5k
\n1 #108 McNulty, Abbie SR Bishop Feehan 5:38.7 17:32.14 1 :D (10:44 Full 2Mile)
\n 2 #461 Worters, Stella SR Shepherd Hill 6:07.9 19:02.83 2 (2:57 1k\/5:11 Mile)
\n 3 #97 Harum, Brynna SR Bishop Feehan 6:12.7 19:17.80 3
\n 4 #371 Kennedy, Taylor SR Notre Dame A 6:14.9 19:24.67 4
\n 5 #88 Cutillo, Jackie JR Bishop Feehan 6:23.3 19:50.58 5
\n 6 #455 Schultz, Juleanna JR Shepherd Hill 6:24.9 19:55.56 6
\nhttp:\/\/www.coolrunni...rtha_set2.shtml<\/a>","date_added":"Sep 11th 2013, 4:38pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"300kicks","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43831","pb_wally_id":"1074107"},"849608":{"pb_id":"3026","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"849608","comment_id":"849608","member_id":"3026","comment":"

<\/a>bluejaytrack, on , said:<\/p>

\nUnfortunate....
\nhttp:\/\/www.southbend...1a4bcf6878.html<\/a>
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nAnna Rohrer out with broken foot. Sounds it this isn't the first time for her. That's no fun.","date_added":"Sep 6th 2013, 1:36pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"35","email_settings":"7168","email":"chrisnickinson@gmail.com","address":"chrisnickinson","gender":"m","member_id":"3026","member_name":"Chris Nickinson","avatar_location":"av-3026.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-3026.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-3026.jpg","pb_title":"Chris Nickinson","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=3026","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/chrisnickinson.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"35"},"849597":{"pb_id":"48125","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"849597","comment_id":"849597","member_id":"48125","comment":"Unfortunate....
\nhttp:\/\/www.southbend...1a4bcf6878.html<\/a>","date_added":"Sep 6th 2013, 12:19pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"bluejaytrack","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=48125","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/bluejaytrack.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1181275"},"848644":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"848644","comment_id":"848644","member_id":"44418","comment":"My plan is to do another list ... a postseason Top 100 ... that factors in only results from the XC season (after Foot Locker as I probably won't wait for Junior Olympics, etc).
\n
\nIf Mary doesn't run or course she won't be on that list. So I wouldn't pencil her in as the best XC runner in America just yet. The preseason list is a bit of a projection, obviously. And I agree, it would be attention-grabbing for the sport for Cain and Baxter to go head to head again.
\n
\nIn a few weeks we'll start a weekly Top 25 ranking for individuals. And if Cain indicates that she is going to sidestep cross country altogether then I'll remove her from the subsequent lists.","date_added":"Sep 3rd 2013, 6:12pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"847913":{"pb_id":"9184","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847913","comment_id":"847913","member_id":"9184","comment":"

<\/a>Bill Meylan, on , said:<\/p>

\nI'm just afraid that Mary Cain will be awarded an "honorary" title of best high school XC runner in America without actually racing the high school girls head-to-head in 2013 (maybe skipping the entire XC season) ... That would be totally unfair to Sarah Baxter (who has beaten Cain twice) and Anna Rohrer who is another returning National champion.
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nI think any sensible list will omit Cain if she doesn't run the championship races. I imagine we'll know before too long what her plans are.
\n
\nDan","date_added":"Sep 3rd 2013, 3:53am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"members\/avatar\/3295.jpg","pb_title":"dkap","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=9184","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/dkap.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"10044"},"847818":{"pb_id":"43675","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847818","comment_id":"847818","member_id":"43675","comment":"

<\/a>dkap, on , said:<\/p>

\nI think beating Cain again this fall would be exactly what it requires. Yes, Baxter has the better XC credentials, but Cain just completed an absolutely unprecedented Track season. Conventional wisdom seems to be that she now has the XC edge until proven otherwise.
\n
\nIf the two were to race this fall, who would you bet on? IMO, that's much more relevant to a rankings list than how last year or the year before played out.
\n
\nDan
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nJust a guess, but I think a significant majority of interested people would bet Mary Cain to win any high school XC race, even NXN at Portland Meadows in December ... and that's one reason to rank her #1 in the pre-season.
\n
\nAssuming Mary Cain runs NXN, I personally think the race is a toss-up between Cain and Baxter ... Sarah Baxter has proven herself at NXN ... Mary Cain is likely to race better at NXN with a full year of coaching from Alberto Salazer and her unattached status ... But Sarah Baxter might be better as well ... and believers in track performance might think Alexa Efraimson and Elise Cranny will be better (perhaps much better at Portland Meadows) ... we won't know unless they race each other.
\n
\nSeveral coaches from around country have sent me e-mails with the following sentiment - they hope Mary Cain does not run any high school XC races because they don't think it's fair that a runner should have professional training and the ability to pick-and-choose selective races (they feel it's a big advantage over regular high school runners) .... I want Mary Cain to run because it will bring publicity to the sport and I'm interested to see what happens.
\n
\nI'm just afraid that Mary Cain will be awarded an "honorary" title of best high school XC runner in America without actually racing the high school girls head-to-head in 2013 (maybe skipping the entire XC season) ... That would be totally unfair to Sarah Baxter (who has beaten Cain twice) and Anna Rohrer who is another returning National champion.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 11:58pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Bill Meylan","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43675","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Bill-Meylan.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1073444"},"847816":{"pb_id":"43715","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847816","comment_id":"847816","member_id":"43715","comment":"

<\/a>Bill Meylan, on , said:<\/p>

\nJust curious ... What would Sarah Baxter need to do during cross country season for her to be ranked ahead of Mary Cain on a cross country ranking list?
\n
\nWould running 15:50 at Mt. Sac be enough? ... Would beating Cain at Portland Meadows for a 3rd time be enough?<\/div><\/div>
\n
\n
\nIMO, if Baxter runs something like a low 16 at Woodward or 15:45 at Mt. SAC, that would be enough to put her back on top. And beating her a third year in a row at NXN would solidify it beyond doubt. Until that point, though, what we can say is that Baxter edged Cain 19:17-19:21 in a very muddy NXN last year and has seemingly close the gap and surpassed her since. With an edge that narrow, I don't think it gives Baxter a huge benefit of doubt for XC prowess - both are clearly among the best ever, but only one improved significantly since the last time they raced.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 11:31pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-43715.jpg","pb_title":"watchout","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_wally_id":"1073498"},"847782":{"pb_id":"9184","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847782","comment_id":"847782","member_id":"9184","comment":"

<\/a>Bill Meylan, on , said:<\/p>

\nJust curious ... What would Sarah Baxter need to do during cross country season for her to be ranked ahead of Mary Cain on a cross country ranking list?
\n
\nWould running 15:50 at Mt. Sac be enough? ... Would beating Cain at Portland Meadows for a 3rd time be enough?
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nI think beating Cain again this fall would be exactly what it requires. Yes, Baxter has the better XC credentials, but Cain just completed an absolutely unprecedented Track season. Conventional wisdom seems to be that she now has the XC edge until proven otherwise.
\n
\nIf the two were to race this fall, who would you bet on? IMO, that's much more relevant to a rankings list than how last year or the year before played out.
\n
\nDan","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 10:28pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"members\/avatar\/3295.jpg","pb_title":"dkap","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=9184","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/dkap.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"10044"},"847157":{"pb_id":"3357","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847157","comment_id":"847157","member_id":"3357","comment":"

<\/a>DougB, on , said:<\/p>

\nindrun - thanks.
\nI have to tell you, I was this-close to slotting Rohrer at five because of the great track seasons turned in by Cranny and Efraimson.
\nBut when she ran in the 16s I had to reconsider and pay a little more respect to the FL champ. I would love to see what she could do against Baxter, but in this day and age that might not be in the cards.
<\/div><\/div>
\nDoug
\nEmail me or call 631-266-2728
\n
\nPalimmer@aol.com","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 6:41pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.gif","pb_title":"palimmer","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=3357","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/palimmer.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"4758"},"847150":{"pb_id":"43675","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"847150","comment_id":"847150","member_id":"43675","comment":"

<\/a>Scott Joerger, on , said:<\/p>

\nRankings are not the sames as their head to head win\/loss record. Yes Sarah wins that one, but you can't look at their spring seasons and not conclude that Mary has surpassed Sarah. And I'm a BIG Sarah Baxter fan, I assure you!
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nJust curious ... What would Sarah Baxter need to do during cross country season for her to be ranked ahead of Mary Cain on a cross country ranking list?
\n
\nWould running 15:50 at Mt. Sac be enough? ... Would beating Cain at Portland Meadows for a 3rd time be enough?
\n
\nI'm a fan of both girls, especially Mary Cain ... People may not realize it, but Mary Cain is an excellent hill runner in cross country ... she runs the hills at Bowdoin Park very well ... The 2010 NY State Meet (at Pawling, NY) had a long hill that was very steep at the top; many top runners were literally walking at the summit (even some Fayetteville-Manlius kids) ... Freshman Mary Cain ran up it like a mountain goat! ... And then during her freshmen track season, Mary Cain did something I have never seen any other elite high school female XC runner do - she ran 55 seconds in an open 400 meter race ... That speed ability makes Mary Cain special and, in my opinion, allows her to compete at a world-class level in track.
\n
\nDougB explained his ranking criteria nicely ... and I would rank the top three exactly as he did (Cain, Baxter, Rohrer) ... And I agree Cain is the best from 800 to 5000.
\n
\nBut doesn't there need to be point during the high school cross country season where Mary Cain needs to do something in cross country that merits her ranking at the top of an XC list?? ... Sarah Baxter and Anna Rohrer are both defending National Champions in cross country and other girls are not far behind ... Anna Rohrer has already run a huge performance in 2013, and I think she's the top 2013 XC runner until somebody does something better.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 6:22pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Bill Meylan","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43675","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Bill-Meylan.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1073444"},"846685":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846685","comment_id":"846685","member_id":"44418","comment":"indrun - thanks.
\nI have to tell you, I was this-close to slotting Rohrer at five because of the great track seasons turned in by Cranny and Efraimson.
\nBut when she ran in the 16s I had to reconsider and pay a little more respect to the FL champ. I would love to see what she could do against Baxter, but in this day and age that might not be in the cards.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 3:33am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"846665":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846665","comment_id":"846665","member_id":"44418","comment":"I can tell you that I did factor in injuries where I knew they impacted the spring.
\n
\nAnd two girls who finished in the Top 25 at Foot Locker (that I know of) had stress fractures in early 2013: Julia Maxwell and Marissa Saenger of New York.
\n
\nIt's difficult to predict how athletes will respond in the wake of injuries. In Maxwell's case I felt like I was giving her some benefit of the doubt by putting her into the rankings at 70th. In the case of Saenger, I read that as of July 24 she was not running. So I left her out altogether. Bailey Davis of Assumption (Kentucky) also missed the track season. She didn't make the list either.
\n
\nLaura Leff of New York was third at Foot Locker Nationals in 2011 but subsequently had a stress fracture. She hasn't quite gotten back to her previous level yet. She's 83rd on the list.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 1:05am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"846683":{"pb_id":"50352","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"846665","pid":"846683","comment_id":"846683","member_id":"50352","comment":"Doug: Good job on these as your top three are as they should be. Mary Cain is at a whole "nother" level now ala Lukas Verbicus. Baxter has proven she can run in mud and on fast courses with hills. While Rohrer is an unknown on mud, she can do hills and survived an epic seasonal battle with Ashley Erba last year in XC in what was essentially her 1st full XC season. Considering that she has run two sub 17:00 5K's this summer, I wouldn't bet against her at footlocker unless Cain runs it. Baxter at FL would be interesting. Nike in the mud is a whole nother story. By the way, Rohrer was injured for most of the track season and still came back to almost break the IN 3200 record. She is tough as nails it appears.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 3:00am","nest":1,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"indrun","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=50352","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/indrun.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1206218"},"846664":{"pb_id":"43715","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846664","comment_id":"846664","member_id":"43715","comment":"For my rankings, yes. I only look at what happens during the championship races, plus improvement during track.
\n
\nBut these aren't my rankings, and it's relevant to point out how runners stack up. Faster in track (for whatever reason), faster at Woodward, though not as fast but not all that far off at Mt. SAC, but 2-0 head to head at the end of the season seems like more than sufficient reason to pick Williams ahead of Julia Maxwell.
\n
\nIMO... this is about how I'd put it:
\n
\n1. Cain<\/strong> - she wasn't far off in conditions that favored Baxter at NXN last year, and was much stronger in track.
\n2. Baxter<\/strong> - 2-time defending NXN Champ
\n3\/4. Efraimson\/Rohrer<\/strong> - These two seem interchangeable to me... I think Efraimson was a little better at NXN than Rohrer at FLN (and was better on the track), but Rohrer won her race and is the returning FLN Champ, and the difference at NXN\/FLN wasn't huge. If I had to choose, I'd probably go Efraimson #3 and Rohrer #4, but not a big edge either way.
\n5-7. Marissa Williams\/Jordyn Colter\/Elise Cranny<\/strong>. Take whatever order you want, they are all very good in cross. Cranny seems like the better miler of this bunch, Williams has the best 3200m credentials, and Coulter probably had the best finish at XC Nationals last year (4th FLN and within 5 seconds of Rohrer vs. 8th FLN for Williams and 7th NXN for Cranny). Plus, Coulter finished third at Stanford last year (as you point out), in a race that also included Cranny and Julia Maxwell behind her. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with Williams or Colter at #5, and Cranny at #7... Colter if I was worried more about how well they do in cross (#4 vs. #8 at FLN), Williams if I was more concerned about how good they looked this spring (3200m telling more about XC potential than 1500m), or Cranny if it came down to who would probably have the better kick. None of those three would have a significant edge, though.
\n
\nFor #8 and beyond... it's too close for me to really have much of an opinion one way or another. Lots of very good athletes are right there IMO, and that includes both Maxwells (and the bulk of Doug's top 30).","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 12:58am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-43715.jpg","pb_title":"watchout","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_wally_id":"1073498"},"846663":{"pb_id":"45400","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846663","comment_id":"846663","member_id":"45400","comment":"

<\/a>watchout, on , said:<\/p>

\nJulia Maxwell was the Runner-up at Footlocker West and finished 20th at Footlocker Nationals.
\n
\nAlso somewhat relevant, Marissa Williams beat Julia Maxwell at both races (winning Footlocker West over her 17:46-18:15; placing 8th at Footlocker in 17:42.8 to Maxwell's 18:03.9), and also returns with a faster Woodward Park PR (17:15). Throw in Anna Maxwell (16:57 at Mt. SAC, but had an awful race at state and didn't run post-season, but ran 10:10 this spring), and I think the top three for California are hard to argue. The field after that also has some good arguments for who should be fourth, with Julia Maxwell seemingly belonging in that group.
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nThanks for catching my slip up on Julia\/Anna at Footlocker. I saw one name and read the other. Too many Maxwells running fast times.
\n
\nHaven't you argued against Clovis times being directly compared to State times in the past?
\n
\nJulia's 17:25 at State was run in D5, which she won by just over a minute. She finished over 1:20 ahead of second with her 16:52 at Mt. Sac, which was run Friday afternoon when it was about 25 degrees hotter than during the Saturday morning sweeps (Anna Maxwell also ran Friday).
\n
\nDon't think FLW means all that much, given that it was a qualifying race. Finishing second or tenth works just as well as finishing first. FLN does have meaning.
\n
\nJulia also was fourth at Stanford, finishing behind Neale, Efraimson and Colter.
\n
\nIt seems as if being injured during track season counted heavily against her for these rankings.","date_added":"Sep 2nd 2013, 12:50am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Greg Beal","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45400","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Greg-Beal.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1108424"},"846650":{"pb_id":"43715","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846650","comment_id":"846650","member_id":"43715","comment":"

<\/a>Greg Beal, on , said:<\/p>

\nSurprised to see Julia Maxwell listed as the 8th best Californian as she was second fastest at Mt. Sac (16:52, behind Baxter) and third fastest at State (17:25, behind Baxter and Reedy). She doesn't seem to have run post-season.
\n
\nShe only ran 10:40 this Spring but was injured and didn't complete the season (she did run 10:27 in 2012).
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nJulia Maxwell was the Runner-up at Footlocker West and finished 20th at Footlocker Nationals.
\n
\nAlso somewhat relevant, Marissa Williams beat Julia Maxwell at both races (winning Footlocker West over her 17:46-18:15; placing 8th at Footlocker in 17:42.8 to Maxwell's 18:03.9), and also returns with a faster Woodward Park PR (17:15). Throw in Anna Maxwell (16:57 at Mt. SAC, but had an awful race at state and didn't run post-season, but ran 10:10 this spring), and I think the top three for California are hard to argue. The field after that also has some good arguments for who should be fourth, with Julia Maxwell seemingly belonging in that group.","date_added":"Sep 1st 2013, 11:10pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-43715.jpg","pb_title":"watchout","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=43715","pb_wally_id":"1073498"},"846647":{"pb_id":"45400","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846647","comment_id":"846647","member_id":"45400","comment":"Surprised to see Julia Maxwell listed as the 8th best Californian as she was second fastest at Mt. Sac (16:52, behind Baxter) and third fastest at State (17:25, behind Baxter and Reedy). She doesn't seem to have run post-season.
\n
\nShe only ran 10:40 this Spring but was injured and didn't complete the season (she did run 10:27 in 2012).","date_added":"Sep 1st 2013, 10:58pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Greg Beal","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45400","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Greg-Beal.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1108424"},"846365":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846365","comment_id":"846365","member_id":"44418","comment":"I'm a fan of Sarah Baxter too. She's one of the great-great all-time HS runners.
\n
\nBut Mary Cain is the BEST... from 800 to 5,000.
\n
\nI anticipated that it may be a little bit controversial to pick Cain over Baxter, and if I find that Cain has no plans for cross country I will remove her from weekly individual rankings. (For the sake of the sport and the attention it would generate I hope they race each other again).
\n
\nI sort of think of the Preseason 100s as a fantasy cross country form chart. If you were drafting runners for your own team (like fantasy NFL), who would you pick and in what order? There are a combination of factors that go into it -- cross country results, track times, age\/improvement\/summer info, etc.
\n
\nAnd of course it's not an exact science. Some very good runners were on the bubble and didn't make it in.
\n
\nMy plan is to do a Postseason Top 100 as well ... and use only the 2013 fall season as the criteria. Because not everyone moves on after their state meet. And because Foot Locker and NXN don't always answer the question who's the best in the country.","date_added":"Sep 1st 2013, 7:19pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"846362":{"pb_id":"4588","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"846362","comment_id":"846362","member_id":"4588","comment":"

<\/a>hedyd4u, on , said:<\/p>

\nYou put Mary Cain #1, until she beats Sarah Baxter she can't be #1. No matter what track times have been run track is not cross country.
<\/div><\/div>
\n
\nRankings are not the sames as their head to head win\/loss record. Yes Sarah wins that one, but you can't look at their spring seasons and not conclude that Mary has surpassed Sarah. And I'm a BIG Sarah Baxter fan, I assure you!","date_added":"Sep 1st 2013, 7:04pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"388","email_settings":"8191","email":"scott.joerger@gmail.com","address":"ScottJoerger","gender":"m","member_id":"4588","member_name":"Scott Joerger","avatar_location":"av-4588.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-4588.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":172236,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-4588.jpg","pb_title":"Scott Joerger","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=4588","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/ScottJoerger.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"388"}},"last_id":"846362","url":"comments.php?item_type=news&item_id=172236&item_url=profile.php?member_id=50352"}