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. Northern Highlands: Seven time state sectional group 3 title-winner has nearly event covered and could contend at state meet again.
2. Clifton: Might have had its best team ever in 2020 and despite graduation losses, looks to be the class of Passaic County with a chance to win a sectional title.
3. NV/Demarest: If they can score some points in the distances and hurdles, could end up up at number one with another strong field group.
4. Ramapo: With little winter track training because of COVID 19 quarantining, the area’s top running group needs help in the jumps to move higher.
5. Ridgewood: One of the best distance groups in the country needs hurdlers, jumpers and throwers to develop quickly to take full advantage of its strengths.
6. IHA: The Blue Eagles have a lot of depth but needs its 100 to 800 runners to step up to contend for Non-Public and county titles.
7. Paramus Catholic: Field events, hurdles and sprints, are as usual, the strengths for the Paladins, who have a lot of good young talent.
8. Tenafly: The Tigers could be the surprise team of the year, especially if they can get help from distance runners and throwers.
9. Westwood: Athletic transfer Alianna Eucker (from Bergen Tech) is the state’s top javelin thrower and with standouts Kayla Jarski and Tatianna Beutel should do well in major meets.
10. Holy Angels: The Angels have good throwers, jumpers and vaulters and the addition of outstanding freshman Kate Hurst in the distances could move the team into contention with the other North Jersey powers.
11. Ramsey: There are no superstars on this team, but a lot of talented solid performers always make the Rams a team to watch, especially in relays.
12.. Lakeland: One of the state’s top distance teams, anchored by juniors Angelina Perez and Abigail Horevay and with hurdler/jumper Katie Bennorth, a threat to Clifton’s Passaic County dominance.
13. North Bergen: Very few teams in North Jersey have a pair of athletes better than seniors Kiomy Luperon and Alexandra Bartutis.
14. Rutherford: The Bulldogs have a versatile squad and need a thrower and a vaulter to move up the rankings.
15. River Dell: Probably under-ranked, especially if their key performers can stay healthy.
16. Emerson: Group 1 program with a fine pedigree, picks up a solid weight performer with the transfer from Saddle Brook of Erin Karaway.
17. NV/Old Tappan: Usually ranked higher and need younger athletes to develop quickly to reach their usual tier in the rankings.
18. Wayne Hills: Several key athletes chose not to come out or this very good team would be ranked much higher.
19. Teaneck: Legendary New Jersey star Carlene Cummings finally gets a chance to coach after her 2020 appointment but the move of Kayce Darby to Georgia is a big blow.
20. Ridgefield Park: A potential league contender also suffered a loss when Kendall Shaw and family moved to North Carolina.
21. Lyndhurst: New head coach James Day is greeted by the area’s top returning hurdler in Maggie Fodera and a solid supporting cast.
22. Fair Lawn: The Cutters will make a major effort shooting for the Bergen County three girl javelin relay record behind state contender Hailey Romero.
23. Indian Hills: A solid program that hopes to build on its distance pedigree to stay relevant.
24. Pequannock: A solid Morris County program that always does well at sectionals.
25. Hackensack: The Comets have some talented athletes who can improve quickly in the always strong Big North Freedom division.
Teams to watch: Hasbrouck Heights, Kinnelon, Lodi, Passaic Tech, 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
