All Classifications Pre-Season Power Poll - Girls

UPDATED 8-21-2012 to reflect new knowledge about Camas

Okay, pre-season polls are always difficult, especially an all classification one.  You have to account for things you do know, but there are plenty of surprises you do not know about. For Example - Know that Bellarmine's Miranda Ross is turning out, but do not know if Kamiakin's Megan Beauchene will finally make the jump to x-c, a move that would bump Kamiakin into the top 10. Know about talented incoming freshmen at Eisenhower, Sehome, and Central Kitsap, but unaware of others that are likely going to benefit other teams.  But, still fun to put together the information you do know and to make a best guess.  Looked at last year's state performances, accounted for incoming freshmen I know about, looked at some track times but not a lot, looked at some summer camp races and summer time trials, likely didn't account for many off state performances, talked to several coaches across the region, etc...

     1.      Glacier Peak – Difficult not to place GP #1.  Top 4 and 6 of 7 back from team that finished 16^th at Nike Nationals.  Eloise-Neale / Bianchini 1-2 punch cannot be touched by any other team in the state.
     2.      Camas – defending 3A champs move up to 4A.    Led my Sophomore standout Efraimson.  Updated to reflect progress of their #4 during track season (ran 11:40 for 3200m) and the inclusion of a new freshman.

     3.      Bellarmine Prep – Additional of 2:15 / 5:13 Miranda Ross bolsters squad that was already bringing back 6 from 2^nd place State team.  Look for strong improvement from Derby in her second year of cross country. Don’t be surprised if they are able to challenge GP by the end of the season.

     4.      Sehome – Strong incoming Freshmen squad adds to team already returning 5 of 7 from 2^nd Place State team.  Led by defending 2A champ Pittis, expect team to be hungry after their 5 year state title streak was ended last year.

     5.      Tahoma – lose only their #4 from last year’s state championship team.  On paper have issues at #5, but one new runner away from being a strong threat to repeat at 4A.

     6.      Cheney – Defending 2A Champs return 5 of 7, led by individual title contender Holland.

     7.      Eisenhower – A talented incoming freshman adds to a team already returning 5 from their 5^th place 4A squad.

     8.      Redmond – a strong 1-2 punch with LeGresley and Dunn, returning 5 runners from 3^rd place 4A squad.  If they have any new runners to help with their issues at #4 and 5, could be extremely dangerous.

     

     9.      Jackson – Return 6 of 7 from 6^th place 4A team. 

     10.  Central Kitsap – incoming freshman bolsters squad returning 6 of 7 from 13^th place 4A team.  Look for big improvement from Christen who finished 5^th in 10:57 in the 4A State 3200m.

     11.  Snohomish – 5 of 7 back from 7^th place 4A team.  Great depth, but lack a strong 1 and 2.

     12.  Burlington-Edison – okay, this is my surprise pick.  B-E was likely the #3 tam in 2A last year but were thrown off by a tactical district race that went out at a snail’s pace, and didn’t qualify for State.  Return 6 of 7 from last year’s team, including sophomore Olivia Capron.  Word is that 11:35 3200m runner RaynJoy Norton is turning out for the first time, making this a really solid squad.

     13.  Interlake – moving back to 3A.  Return 5 of 7 from 3^rd place 2A squad. 

     14.  Lakeside – Return 6 of 7 from 6^th place 3A team.

     15.  Central Valley – Top 3, and 5 of 7 back from 8^th place 4A team.

Others – Bellingham, Shadle Park, Peninsula, Liberty-Issaquah, Prairie, Richland