Steady as she goes.
We saw this last year. Lone Peak may not have had the flashy performances in the early or mid-season, but it was that gradual improvement over the course of the year that brought them home the title when it mattered. Well, if this is where they are starting, we can't wait to see where they end up in 2025.
That's not to say it's all easy-going. Woodbridge gave us plenty of action on the flat, fast terrain of California, where home team JSerra edged out the opposite Coast in Union Catholic. They are sure to see each other again at least once this season, as it shot them up the rankings.
Two sleeper picks round out the next batch of teams. Ann Arbor Pioneer has been catapulted to the front by their lead individual, but it's not only her improvement that we've seen, but the entire scoring five. Same for Webb School of Knoxville, which has two new frontrunners for a team that brough back talent already.
** Quick Note: Elin Latta leads her homeschooled sisters in races under the name HomeSchool Heat. We are unsure if this qualifies as a team in the sense they can qualify for NXN. If they are eligible, they would be ranked 10th.
Things are only heating up, and October is on the horizon.