The Preseason MileSplit50 Top 25 Boys Team Rankings

No. 18: Riverton (UT)

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Analysis: The defending RunningLane Garmin XC Champions will have some work to do in order to replace seniors Tyler McDougal and Jake Seegmiller, who finished 10th and 17th, respectively at the Utah State meet. Seegmiller followed with an All-American at RunningLane this past fall, too. 

But fortunately, strong pieces remain. All five athletes who competed at the state championships behind those athletes are back for 2023, including seniors Samuel Ghiz, Andrew Ludwig, Helm Gage and Luke Horner. In fact, after some early races, it looks as though Riverton will be heavily-boosted by some upperclassmen help. 

That should pay dividends. While Riverton still have to combat the likes of American Fork (a preseason favorite statewide and nationally), along with Lone Peak and Herriman, the road back to states should be a goal this team is striving for. Utah continually churns out some of the nation's top programs. Riverton has all the potential to get back to its heights in 2022.

Biggest Question: Running with front-packs at a consistent-level. 

We aren't too concerned about the depth of this team. Riverton seems to have a very good group of athletes to work with. But advancing its top runners into front-packs might be a question mark.  The team's returning average of 16:00 minutes put them among the top 50 teams in the country, but it's still behind American Fork (15:31.62) and Lone Peak (15:57.10).