#hartswick

1- Champlain Valley

I probably don't even need to waste a sentence mentioning that this is the team to beat (I just did?).  On top of that, they were missing two of their top 6.  The only thing that might be improved is their spread, which was a sizable 3min 24sec.

2- Essex

The Hornets finished 20pts behind MMU in the D1 race, but Rayna Dally, their top JV runner, ran a time that would have made her Essex's 3rd in the Varsity race.  When you combine the races, Essex nipped MMU by 3pts.   

3- Mt. Mansfield

As mentioned above, MMU got the better of Essex in the Varsity race, but fell short in the combined.  The Cougars were short a scorer in Hartswick, but until they're at full-strength, the Hornets have the upper hand.

4- Burlington

Burlington tied Essex in the D1 scoring, but Dally creates a good amount of separation. The Seahorses are working with a solid 1-5 (all top 35 in D1 race), but have some depth issues with almost 80sec separating their 5-6.

5- St. Johnsbury

St. Johnsbury's strength is their pack- 52sec spread from 1-4.  But they don't have a true #1, which will cost them a good deal of points in the States combined.

6- Harwood

Harwood tied St. J in the combined, and matches up well at each spot 1-7; actually, their cumulative time was just one measly second apart (1:53.12 to 1:53.13, respectively!).  However, as a D2 school, they're at a disadvantage in the States combined because of less depth in their race.  

7- South Burlington

The Rebels finished less than 10pts behind St. J and Harwood, but seemed to be missing Hadley Clark, a Varsity runner last fall for them at States.  They sport a phenomenal 1-2 in Cook and Merrick but you'll have to wait almost 3min before their #3 crosses the line, a leak in the boat that would sink any ship intending to sail to New Englands.

8- Randolph