Huge weekend coming up here in MA... here are this week's rankings.

1. Lowell- Impressive performance in Manhattan, taking second in one of the varsity races with solid times.  Enough to solidify #1 spot.

2. Methuen- Moving up after an impressive performance in Manhattan themselves after winning a varsity themselves, including an individual win for Reddy.  Lowell will be taking them on this week in what promises to be the best dual meet of the season thus far.

3. Mansfield- I wanted to keep them at #2, but Methuen's performace was too good for me to keep them from #2.  Expect them back at #2 next week after the Lowell v. Methuen meet, as I think I will drop the loser to #3 (maybe ;]).

4. TIE: Xaverian and St John's Prep- For the second week in a row, I cannot give one team the edge here... maybe one of them will move ahead after this huge weekend.

6. Brookline- Many (including myself) doubted this traditional powerhouse at the 6eginning of the season, but they have proven that they are a solid team that is to be reckoned with.

7. Newton North- Holding their spot after winning their dual meets this week and after a boring weekend for anyone not in Manhattan.

8. Westboro- Wow... the wild wild Central Mass just keeps getting wilder.  Last week, Nashoba held this spot because of their consistency.  Well, guess what?  They lost to Westboro in their dual meet, 26-29.  Thus, Westboro takes over.  Honestly, CMASS is a mess right now, but CMASS states will be a ball to watch to see who gets to make the trip to Northfield for All States.

9. Nashoba- They were extremely close to beating the team that the MSTCA ranks #3 (Westboro).  Obviously I disagree with the MSTCA ranking, but the point is that Nashoba is a very strong team.

10. Shrewsbury- Hey hey, they won their dual meet this week!  In fact, they swept the top five against Milford.  This weekend should be a good indicator of where they really are.

Outside the Top 10

• The most improved team in the state may be Boston College High School.  Although they usually run in the shadow of SJP and Xaverian in the Catholic Conference during XC (they do dominate track with their field events), they nearly defeated Xaverian this week.  BC High may finally have a good distance squad to complement their field events during the track season, and they'll have an outside shot at All States in XC.
• Wachusett swept the top five in their meet too.  Should be interesting at CMASS with them, Shrewsbury, Nashoba, and Westboro.
• Well, the MVC is finishing up their season, and it looks like Reading is going to take the team title with an undefeated season.  Not a particularly strong conference, but congrats to Reading for that.

On the D2 Front

• Pembroke will be looking to compete for the team title at the Brown Invite tomorrow... should be interesting to see them run against some solid D1 schools.
• An impressive season from Marblehead as they are in my D2 Top 10... they run in a rather weak conference (the NEC) and have still been able to prove they are a contender at the state level.  Props to them.
• Bishop Feehan has been impressive... look for them at D2 All States.

On the Girls Side

• Lincoln Sudbury, Newton South... blah blah blah they rock.
• Franklin, a team that has its on seasons and off seasons, is having another "on" season.  Look for them in the top five or seven at All States.
• Props to Danvers, a team on the girls D2 side that is having a wonderful season in a so-so conference (the NEC, which is much stronger on the girls side than the boys side with teams like Beverly).

As I said a few times, this is a HUGE weekend in Massachusetts Cross Country.  We have three huge meets to watch; namely the Bay State Invitational at Northfield Mountain (home of the 2009 MA All State Championships), the Catholic Memorial Invitational at Franklin Park in Boston, and the Brown University Invitational at Goddard Park in Rhode Island.  Should all be fun meets, especially Brown since we're supposed to be getting rather heavy rain tonight and Goddard may have the worst drainage of any XC course in the Northeast.  Well, I suppose it isn't particularly fun to run in, but very good for photographers looking to get good photos after the meet :D

Anywho, that's all for this week.  Enjoy the meets this weekend and good luck to all competing!  Should show us a lot about where the teams in Massachusetts stand.