5A Girls Pre-SeasonRankings #5

These are subjective rankings (not computer generated) they take into account returning team rankings, team rankings in the 1600 and 3200 from outdoor track, and a school's "Improvement Rating."  Improvement Rating is a metric developed by researching the improvement in a team's final place at State from 2011-2013. Each category is given rank points and added up coming to a final point total. Some squads made up for high point totals, getting ranked higher by virtue of number of returners (top 7) and by fastest returning XC team average.  Not all XC runners do Track (Soccer mostly) which can affect Outdoor team rankings, but generally not the top 5-7 teams) 

                                   5A Girls Pre-SeasonRankings #5  Northgate

                                                    

   Northgate has the makings to crack the Podium for the first time in recent school history this Fall. The Vikings are the 3rd team from Region 4 in the top 5 and have come a long way in the past 3 years. Non-qualifiers in 2011 to 3rd in Region 4-AAAAA and 12th at State last season.They are another top 5A squad whose girls don't take to the mondo oval in HS Outdoor Track last Spring. Also, the Lady Vikes ran no "Speedways" last season making their XC Rank lower than it really should be. But returning their top 7, including fast harriers like Caroline Nelson who placed 4th at State as a frosh and Caitlin Bellora who has a pr of 19:51 at Heritage Church is a big plus. Erica Lee could be their #3 with a 2013 pr of 20:35 and she did get some track work in.