Five Big South Conference teams and nine runners are listed in the first ratings of the season by the Minnesota Cross Country Coaches Association.
Two conference teams are in the Class 1A boys team ratings with Luverne second and Redwood Valley sixth.
There are four Class 1A boys in the individual rankings with Will Ahrendt (Redwood Valley) first, Owen Janiszeski (Luverne) second, Ryan Fick (Luverne) ninth and Levi Meist (St. James Area) 12th.
Luverne is rated eighth in the Class 1A girls team poll, led by the state’s top-ranked runner, Jenna DeBates. Kaylee Walkin (Windom) is rated seventh.
Both Marshall teams are rated in Class 2A, with the Tigers second in the girls poll and 10th in the boys.
Individually for the 2A girls, Allyson Sample (Marshall) is fifth and Macy Hanson (Fairmont) eighth.
For the Class 2A boys, Fanuel Wolday (Worthington) is ranked 10th.
Following are the complete team polls, No Class 3A ratings were available.
Class 1A boys
1. Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin
2. Luverne
3. Park Rapids Area
4. Heritage Christian Academy
5. Bertha-Hewitt
6. Redwood Valley
7. St. John’s Prep
8. St. Cloud Cathedral
9. Cotter
10. Staples-Motley
11. Canby/Minneota
12. Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson/Houston
Class 1A girls
1. St. Cloud Cathedral
2. Staples-Motley
3. Canby/Minneota
4. Northwest Homeschool Nighthawks
5. Lake City
6. Wadena-Deer Creek
7. Rochester Lourdes
8. Luverne
9. Ely
10. Nova Classic Academy
11. Hawley
12. Carlton/Wrenshall
Class 2A boys
1. Mankato East
2. Orono
3. Perham
4. Belle Plaine
5. Mankato West
6. Fergus Falls
7. Alexandria
8. Big Lake
9. Monticello
10. Marshall
11. Delano
12. Winona
Class 2A girls
1. St. Paul Highland Park
2. Marshall
3. Alexandria
4. Willmar
5. Perham
6. Becker
7. Monticello
8. Rocori
9. Annandale
10. Hibbing
11. Rock Ridge
12. Little Falls
Class 3A boys
Not available
Class 3A girls
Not available