We have the 2008 Mass. All-State Meet coming up this Saturday so that means it is time for the final rankings of the season (*crowd roars*)!  Oh my what an EMASS meet there was to be seen this past Sat. with a great D1 finish in both Boys and Girls (which included two nationally recognized teams....)  So here we go:

1. Newton South- So, they took third in divisionals, but rumor has it one of their top guys didn't race.  Maybe even two of them!  I'm not familiar with the team, but it's enough for me to keep them at numero uno.

2. St. John's Prep- I couldn't put us at #1, could I?  But with an impressive D1 win on Saturday, I feel comfortable putting us here.

3. Amherst-Pelham- Haven't seen them in person, but have heard they are dang good.  With a nice win on Saturday, they've got confidence going into the big city.

4. Methuen- They were good on Saturday, and they will not go away next Saturday.  A good team with high aspirations they are.

5. Nashoba- Another team I have not seen, but have heard they are good.  They'll be looking to pull off a bit of an upset.

6. Mansfield- Why did they drop?  I dunno, but with a nice EMASS D2 Race, they will be excited to join the D1 boys for some fun-filled running!  Look out for them.

7. St. John's Shrewsbury- Well, they lost to the Nashoba power at CMASS, but I expect them to be a factor.  To me, the top six on this list are the contenders, but SJS could throw a wrench in the results. 

8. Whitman Hanson- Really at this point we are just talking about wrenches in the final results, but this team wants to win- bad.

9. North Andover- Dangerous team that could play a factor- but I don't think they will.

10. Northhampton- again, could play a bit of a factor, but won't.

On the D2 Scene-

• Wellesley- Leading the way in D2... but kinda came from nowhere... not sure I have the confidence
• Bishop Feehan- Had the benefit of seeing some of their guys in track last year- and I was impressed.
• Whitinsville-Christian- A good team that will definitely contend for the title.
• Hamilton Wenham- Not great at divisionals, but look out for them- they are running for Gabe Pacione, and that makes anything possible.

On the Girls Side-

• Newton South- Duh, big win over L-S on Saturday... will look to repeat
• Lincoln Sudbury- Double duh... looking for revenge from Saturday
• Haverhill- It's between those two, but they'll be looking for third... and should get it
• Hamilton Wenham- D2, and looking to win D2.  Like the buys, running for Gabe Pacione- even more reason why they should win.

Good luck to everyone on Saturday!