No. 5: Coeur d'Alene (ID)
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Analysis: This team could the surprise of the nation in 2023. And we have them at five for a very good reason.
Coeur d'Alene returns all seven runners from its team last year, a squad that only finished third at the Idaho Class 5A Championships and seventh at the NXR Northwest.
But they have the fifth-fastest returning 5K in the country at 15:36.01, they have a top 15 returning speed ranking average and, on top of that, the program returners star runner Max Cervi-Skinner, who seems inclined for a breakout season in 2023.
The team opened up its fall campaign on Aug. 25 with a perfect 15 points and an average of 15:43 in Montana.
Biggest Question: Will the high praise be too much early on for Coeur d'Alene?
We will admit. Being ranked so high can have its drawbacks. There is a great deal of expectation for any team ranked inside the top 10. But if this squad can get through that so-called pressure, then it could a fruitful season ahead.
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) |