Another week, another set of state meets are coming up quickly, and the top teams in the country are starting to hit their stride at the right time.  This past weekend, a variety of ranked teams showed why they are ranked in the U.S. top ten, while a few unranked teams showed that they might be worthy of a trip out to Eugene, OR come July 2.

There’s a new sheriff in town on the boy’s side, as Vista Murrieta TC (CA) moves from US#3 to US#1, after their dominating performance at the Southwestern League Finals over the weekend.  The team showed great strength versus rival Great Oak TC (CA), who ranked US#10 heading into the weekend, with junior sprint sensation Jovonte Slater winning the 100m dash in a wind-legal 10.64, 200m dash in 21.35 and placing second in the long jump.

Vista Murrieta TC (CA) is ahead of US#2 Brookwood (GA) by less than 30 points, with a 7926.09-7889.27 lead.

There at it again.  Girls US#1 Long Beach Poly TC (CA), and their US#9 boys counterparts, competed well this past weekend at the Moore League Finals.  Fine tuning for the post season, both squads showed strength across a variety of events.  Juniors Carisma Lyday and Akawkaw Ndipagbor put up some incredible performances in the sprint events, while the boys team was led by senior sprinter Kaelin Clay and jumper Corey Winston.  Both LBP squads dominated the relays as well, with the girls running 46.07 (4x1) and 3:50.79 (4x4), while the boys won their respective relays in 42.01 (4x1) and 3:21.43 (4x4).  Full Moore League Finals results HERE.

In Florida this past weekend, the large-class schools had their state meet.  Boyd Anderson TC (FL) girls team has ranked well all season, posting a top ten U.S. ranking heading into the weekend.  While the team lost handily to Miami Northwestern, 85-54, Miami Southridge also snuck ahead of the current US#8 squad, claiming second place with 60 points.  With the regular season now wrapped up, it remains to be seen whether or not Miami Northwestern and Miami Southridge will be able to score enough points in the open sprint/hurdle events to earn a trip to Nike Track Nationals.  Florida State Meet highlights HERE.

What a tough break for boys US#14 Sam Barlow TC (OR) this past week, literally.  Their All-American thrower Ryan Crouser broke his foot, is having surgery this week, and will be out for the rest of the season.  Crouser is the best all-around thrower in the country this year.  Even with Crouser out, the question remains, can another team from the Northwest catch the top squad in the region?  The closest team is Kentwood TC (WA), who ranks 450 points behind Sam Barlow TC. The good news for Sam Barlow TC...Crouser is only a junior and he'll be back better then ever next year.

Follow Nike Track Nationals on Twitter HERE.

Last, but certainly not least, if you check out one user profile on RunnerSpace this week, check out Coach Jay Johnson’s profile.  Coach Jay has a variety of great workout videos, and with seasons wrapping up over the next few weeks, getting a head start on some early off-season work is always a good plan.  Coach Jay has some amazing exercises well worth exploring.