Girls Coundown to XC Day 2: Saugus

Everyone already knows how strong the Saugus program is, so when I say that there is significant evidence that this team is on the rise, that should be frightening news for their opponents. The Centurions return 6 of their top 7 from the squad that finished 6th in Division 2 in 2018, and that included two freshmen and three sophomores. On the track this spring, Saugus returns 10 of their top 11 3200 runners, giving them the best returning group in California: 2 girls under 10:50, 4 girls under 11:10, and a whopping NINE at 12:02 or faster. (They also put six returners under 5:15 in the 1600, something only one other school can claim.) Of particular note is the development of Julia Pearson and Hailey Rutter, who should join Isabella Duarte as a three-headed monster up front - and based on 3200 times, Hannah Fredericks and Brooklyn Bendrat will not be far behind. That is a very formidable top 5, and there should be excellent depth behind them as well. You don't need me to tell you that the Centurions are good at year-to-year progression, but our Improvement Rating confirms that. And if all of that wasn't scary enough, there's this: I'm projecting them to have only one or two seniors in the top 7 this fall. This team looks like a state title contender right now, with a good chance to be in the NXN conversation, and they could be even better in 2020.