This year it could very well be the James Madison girls taking home that 6A state team title.

Despite facing injuries all last year Grant Northcutt just has too much talent and speed to overlook him. This year, his senior year, he will be looking for that big break-thru race at Great Meadow. He finished second as a sophomore and didn't run as a junior but still boasts a 15:21 best and is in the shape to go even faster.

She has run 17:55 to win a state title but her most impressive performance is her 17:59 performance at the Oatlands course.

Only two teams enter the season with six guys under 17 minutes and one of them is our number two preseason team. The thing though that makes them not only on pace for a huge season this year but also next year is the fact that their entire top seven returns this year. 

From 15th to 6th in our preseason rankings in just a year is quite impressive.

After a huge year as a sophomore the now junior is ready to battle the best in the state and on her team for the state and national spotlight. Ava boasts a 17:54 best and is seriously on the cusp of greatness. She has yet to win that state title and that will certainly be one of the best things for her training this year.

They may be the dark horses in their classification but they are certainly not dark horses in the entire state as they are our #3 ranked preseason teams. 

Rose family members Michaela, Michail, Michailyn, and Michael all brought home some serious hardware this summer from the USATF Championships and AAU Junior Olympic Games. In total they brought home nine medals including two golds, one silver, and three bronzes.

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields.

After multiple team title runner-ups and three state runner-ups, Loudoun Valley's Natalie Morris is certainly ready to take home that state title. This season she enters as our #9 returning star in the entire state and second amongst 4A competitors. She is though the fastest returning state course runner this year in 4A.

Phillip may not have had one of the best XC or indoor seasons but by outdoor season it was very apparent that he was the real deal. Over the past few months the Stafford star tallied up an undefeated record in the 3200 and even took home the 5A state title in 9:11.

Parker is fast and really on the rise.

Below is just the start of our very competitive top fives. Check them all out over the coming weeks. Check out the #5 rankings right here!

Following those trends we are predicting a big season from Colton and expect his improvements over distances to keep improving. We know we are being bold here but sub 15 could very well be in his future. 

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields. 

This year though Derek is on a mission he returns as the second seed in all of 5A by only a second. Yared of Edison enters as the top seed but behind both of them are quite a few juniors who are also looking for that big break thru.

The thing that makes XC the best season for many is the undeniable team aspect of the sport. Though you can win national titles and state titles all while setting records as an individual, it truly takes five guys or girls to bring home a team trophy in cross country.

Chase will enter this XC season with his 15:59 best run at the state meet and an impressive 9:28 3200 behind Ahmed Hassan in the 6A State Championships.

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields. 

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields.

There has been a lot of anger, disgust, and even distrust revolving around the new VHSL regional alignments. The epicenter of those emotions will definitely be in 6A regions C and D this upcoming XC season with two of the top 10 teams in the state slated to miss out on state competition. 

Being home to much of our nation's history is sometimes a positive and a negative for the Dogwood state. Virginia not only played host to many historic people, battles, and stories but also has named many of the public high schools after them.

Check out all the photo coverage from the Blue Ridge Running Camp right here. 

MileStat is actively looking for teams to visit this XC season to film more of our new series looking for VA's toughest workouts. Email Nolan Jez with your school and workout at NJEZ@MileSplit.com to be considered!

When twinges of an injury started affecting UVA commit Libby Davidson, she put aside her dream of a Foot Locker Nationals title to aid her E.C. Glass to the first Virginia State Championship title in school history. VHSL State Cross Country Championships (via MileSplit)

Soon to be Phoebus frosh, Jahnelle Saunders took home the AAU Junior Olympic Games pentathlon national title this weekend in dominating fashion.

It has been quite some time since a 6A South runner has taken home the cross country title. Will this be the year that history changes? Check out the top 500 rankings based on last year's times and decide for yourself.

This is definitely going to be the toughest classification in the state this year and the real question is can anyone contend with these tough competitors?

The 4A classification will be the toughest battle of talented individuals and teams in the entire nation this year. It not only features the NXN pre-season favorite team but also a staggering group of five guys looking to run under 15:10 this year. The one leading the way into the season is Price Owens of Grafton.