Ironwood Ridge ranked No. 1 in the state

The Ironwood Ridge girls cross country team is the new No. 1 in the Arizona Track and Cross Country Coaches Association weekly rankings.

Not only is Ironwood Ridge ranked No. 1 in the poll, which includes all teams in the state regardless of size, they seem to be lapping the field against their next closest Class 5A Division II opponent, which is Phoenic Pinnacle (ranked No. 10 overall). Obviously state titles aren't won and lost in a coaches poll put down on paper, but the Nighthawks deserve a pat on the back for what has already proven to be a great year for a great program.

On the boys side, the 4A-II class/division is where its at, where three of the top five ranked programs reside. Two of those -- Rio Rico (No. 3) and Catalina (No. 5) -- are battling it out not only for a region title, but for southern Arizona bragging rights. Sunnyside (ranked No. 15 overall) is the highest ranked 5A-II team, obviously an indication the Blue Devils are a legitimate state title contender.

Here are the latest rankings (all classes and divisions are ranked together).

Girls Cross Country Rankings

1. Ironwood Ridge (5A-II)
2. Phoenix Xavier Prep (5A-I)
3. Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor (4A-I)
4. Mesa Mountain View (5A-I)
5. Tempe Corona del Sol (5A-I)
6. Phoenix Desert Vista (5A-I)
7. (tie) Flagstaff (4A-II)
7. (tie) Gilbert Highland (5A-I)
9. Rio Rico (4A-II)
10. Phoenix Pinnacle (5A-II)
-- Other Notables --
11. Sabino (4A-I)
13. Marana Mountain View (5A-II)
18. Sierra Vista Buena (5A-I)
19. Nogales (4A-I)
22. Sunnyside (5A-II)
27. Catalina Foothills (4A-I)

Boys Cross Country Rankings

1. Mingus Union (4A-II)
2. Phoenix Shadow Mountain (4A-I)
3. Rio Rico (4A-II)
4. Mesa Mountain View (5A-I)
5. Catalina (4A-II)
6. Laveen Cesar Chavez (5A-I)
7. Phoenix Alhambra (5A-I)
8. Phoenix Desert Vista (4A-I)
9. Catalina Foothills (4A-I)
10. Gilbert Highland (5A-I)
-- Other Notables --
13. Sabino (4A-I)
14. Flowing Wells (4A-I)
15. Sunnyside (5A-II)
20. Ironwood Ridge (5A-II)
23. Nogales (4A-I)
24. Casa Grande (5A-I)
27. Salpointe (5A-I)