The job of preseason rankings is always a difficult one. All the information that can be gleaned from returning athletes, projected newcomers and comparisons within opponents can’t measure the desire of some athletes to excel (or in some cases, to lose interest), the physical of development of others and other intangibles.
The absence of information from the 2020 spring season due to the pandemic and the limited nature of winter 2020-21 makes things harder.
Excuses out of the way. Here’s a look at the preseason Top 25
1. Ridgewood: Perennial contender has an outstanding distance group and pole vaulters but have weaknesses in sprints and throws.
2. Bergen Catholic: New head coach Mike Begen welcomes a great sprinting and jumping that could be the area’s most balanced team.
3. Passaic Tech: The Bulldogs have the area’s top long sprinters and hurdlers and if they can develop some field event athletes can finish atop the rankings.
4. NV/Old Tappan: The Golden Knights may have enough in the sprints, throws, pole vault and distances to regain the top spot they have held in the past.
5. NV/Demarest: A very balanced team with no real stars but lots of athletes ready to take the next step.
6. Clifton: Multiple top performers in the distances and throws will keep the Mustangs competitive in an exciting and balanced Passaic County.
7. Passaic Valley: The Hornets had a spectacular winter Polar Bear season and need a distance runner and a thrower to contend for its first league and Passaic County title in nearly 50 years.
8. River Dell: The Golden Hawks, as usual, have great hurdlers, jumpers and long sprinters. If their young throwers and distance guys can produce, they could surprise.
9. Lakeland: The Lancers have the most versatile thrower in North Jersey and have developed a winning tradition, but need inexperienced athletes to take the next step.
10. Westwood: The Cardinals aren’t deep but in Marcus Cheema and Connor Munson have two of the best athletes in North Jersey. How the supporting cast does will decide where they finish.
11. Bergen Tech: Jumpers and distance runners make up the bulk of the Knights’ strength.
12. Glen Rock: New head coach Carl Johnson (a longtime assistant) welcomes a talented teams, especially on the track, which is a league and sectional contender.
13. Hackensack: It’s a young team with lots of talent in the sprints, jumps and weights that could be better as season’s end.
14. Pompton Lakes: With Rider-bound Nathan Armstrong, a contender in every race he runs, the Cardinals are solid on the track and in the vault.
15. Fair Lawn: Deep field events and some solid runners make the Cutters a very interesting team to watch with as much upside as any team in North Jersey.
16. Kinnelon: A terrific throws team with enough good athletes elsewhere to make some noise in league and sectional meets.
17. Hasbrouck Heights: Few teams were hit as hard by the loss of last season than the Aviators, whose strength is distance running this year. But Heights always seems to develop stars.
18. Tenafly: The Tigers don’t appear to have much on the track, but have outstanding jumpers and enough athletes to provide a threat late in the season.
19. Wayne Valley: If enough athletes can reach the level of two stars, thrower Gavin McGarrity and mid distance standout Ryan Pena, this team could rise rapidly
20. Bergenfield: There’s not a lot of depth here but the Bears’ top three athletes, Souleymane Fall, Donavan Anderson and Lacquan Stewart match up with any sprinter/jumpers in the state.
21. Ramapo: The Green Raiders have some very good athletes, including a fine distance runner in Bobby Hymans but COVID-19 shutdowns have hampered preparation.
22. Fort Lee: The Bridgemen have become a league powerhouse in recent years and have several young standouts ready to keep them atop the league.
23. North Bergen: Tyrece Brown might be one of the best athletes in the state and makes the Bruins a threat in every event he’s in.
24. Mahwah: Dina Scudieri takes over a solid program, with good field athletes and hurdlers.
25. Ramsey: The Rams could use a thrower and a jumper but are always deep and very solid in the relays.
Teams to watch: Cresskill, Dwight Morrow, New Milford, Ridgefield Park, Waldwick.
Paul Schwartz covers high school track and field for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app. Email: schwartzp@northjersey.com Twitter: @northnjtrack
