Stillwater Boys Ranked #7 Nationally

Defending MSHSL Class AA state champion Stillwater Area High School boys cross country team is ranked #7 in Marc Bloom's XC Super 25 High School Team Cross Country Pre-Season Rankings, released yesterday.

Bloom said of Scott Christensen's squad: "The Ponies, 10th at [Nike Cross Nationals] last year, have their best team since being ranked Harrier national #1 in 1997 with 4 of their top 5 back after an excellent track season."

Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft, New Jersey, the defending NXN champion, tops the boys' rankings.

Joining Stillwater in the Heartland Regional rankings -- which comprises Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Minnesota -- are 2011 Class AA runners-up Burnsville, 2011 Class AA 3rd-placers, Edina, and 2010 Class AA champions Wayzata.

No Minnesota girls' teams appear in the national rankings, which are topped by Fayetteville-Manlius (New York) High School.

Five squads did earn regional distinction: defending Class AA champions Monticello, 2011 Class AA runners-up Lakeville South, 2011 Class AA 3rd-placers Wayzata, Maria Hauger-led Shakopee, and 2010 Class AA champs Eden Prairie.

Find complete rankings HERE.