No. 4: Southlake Carroll (TX)
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Analysis: The boys of Southlake Carroll return with the fastest 5K average of any team in the U.S. with a time of 15:10.28. That's the good news.
The bad news? Regional and national meets haven't always been kind to Texas teams. Fast times don't always convert to national championships.
Just last year, the Dragons finished 20th at NXN. But each year is a new year. And Carroll return four runners, including key members like Jude Alvarez and Cade Leonard, to the 2023 roster. This team will be eyeing up another UIL Class 6A title, along with NXR South and NXN recognition.
Biggest Question: Can Carroll hold off a surprisingly talented South Region?
The surge in talent is evident in the south. Last year, Carroll and Grapevine qualified for NXN. But this year alone, teams from outside the state are lurking. Bentonville (AR), New Orleans Jesuit (LA) and Deer Creek (OK) are all capable of making a run. Can Carroll hold them all off -- not to mention, The Woodlands, El Paso Franklin and many others.
RANK | DATE-TEAM |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 21 -- Ridgefield (CT) |
| 24 | Aug. 21 -- Bentonville (AR) |
| 23 | Aug. 21 -- Ventura (CA) |
| 22 | Aug. 21 -- McCallie School (TN) |
| 21 | Aug. 21 -- Rocky Mountain (ID) |
| 20 | Aug. 22 -- Portland Jesuit (OR) |
| 19 | Aug. 23 -- Downers Grove North (IL) |
| 18 | Aug. 24 -- Riverton (UT) |
| 17 | Aug. 25 -- Great Oak (CA) |
| 16 | Aug. 26 -- Valor Christian (CO) |
| 15 | Aug. 27 -- Carmel (IN) |
| 14 | Aug. 28 -- Wichita Trinity Academy (KS) |
| 13 | Aug. 29 -- Union Catholic (NJ) |
| 12 | Aug. 30 -- Farragut (TN) |
| 11 | Aug. 31 -- University (WV) |
| 10 | Sept. 1 -- CBA (NJ) |
| 9 | Sept. 2 -- Stevens Point (WI) |
| 8 | Sept. 3 -- Herriman (UT) |
| 7 | Sept. 4 -- Wayzata (MN) |
| 6 | Sept. 5 -- Belen Jesuit (FL) |
| 5 | Sept. 6 -- Coeur d'Alene (ID) |
| 4 | Sept. 6 -- Southlake Carroll (TX) |
| 3 | Sept. 6 -- New Orleans Jesuit (LA) |
| 2 | Sept. 6 -- Crater (OR) |
| 1 | Sept. 6 -- American Fork (UT) |