No. 16: Valor Christian (CO)
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Analysis: Valor Christian may have lost its No. 1 (Drew Costelow) to graduation, but the Eagles welcome back their next six runners into the fray.
Better yet? Senior Dane Eike was already on his way to No. 1 status by the end of the outdoor season, with times of 4:06 in the 1,600m and 8:52 in the 3,200m.
That spells good news for the defending Colorado Class 5A champions.
Eike was fourth at the state meet and rising junior Kaeden Dendorfer was ninth, giving Valor Christian two heavy-hitters to return in 2023. As a team, the Eagles return the sixth-best 5K average in the entire country with a time of 15:36.
Biggest Question: Can Valor Christian challenge for an NXR Southwest title?
Depth will get you places, but it might not win you regionals, or even guarantee you a spot at nationals. Valor Christian will have to prove its among the best in the nation as it progresses through the season. Last year, while the Colorado team may have won state, it was 13th at regionals.
Teams like American Fork, Herriman and Riverton may have the inside track on the Highlands Ranch programs. Unless, of course, they can prove otherwise.
MileSplit50 Boys Team National Rankings Countdown
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 |
| 5 | Sept. 6 |
| 4 | Sept. 6 |
| 3 | Sept. 6 |
| 2 | Sept. 6 |
| 1 | Sept. 6 |