4A Boys Pre-Season Rankings #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)                  

                         4A Boys Pre-Season Rankings #5-  Marist

                                                                

                                                                     Frank Pittman of Marist

Its definitely going to sting some folks when your top 3 have graduated and 2 of them (Daniel Navarro and Michael Thurston are now running NCAA Div 1 XC) were so key in winning consecutive 4A titles in 2012-2013. But returning a core of your 4-7 runners is not a bad way to begin another drive to repeat although the journey will be arduous with Pius, North Hall, Woodward and North Oconee in the mix. Coach Eric Heintze knows how to whip his troops to peak in November though. Leading the way should be Frank Pittman who placed 8th at State and has a pr of 16:18 (Bob Blastow) Sr Grant Haushalter put down a 17:32 at Foot Locker South, and Jimmy Brewster the same day ran a 17:39. Knox Pittman is an incoming frosh that may have an impact during the season.