States across the country started state playoff competition during the month of October and Hinsdale Central (Ill.) took advantage of strong postseason performances in boys and girls golf and girls tennis to move into the No. 1 position in the MaxPreps Cup rankings.
The Red Devils finished as state champions in boys and girls golf in the largest enrollment division in Illinois and also finished second in girls tennis to New Trier (Winnetka).
The MaxPreps Cup is a rankings system designed to determine the top high school athletic programs in the nation. The MaxPreps Cup formula is based on point totals compiled by winning state championships or finishing as a runner-up. National rankings are also part of the scoring algorithm. The formula also awards more points for certain sports based on athlete participation in those sports. Point totals also vary based on the size of the state, the size of the school and the size of the playoff enrollment division.
Carmel, the top team in the September rankings, dropped down to No. 2 — 17 points behind Hinsdale Central. Lone Peak (Highlands, Utah). is nearly 100 points back in third place. New Trier is fourth.
The MaxPreps Cup rankings figure to change drastically over the next month as more states will hold state championships in sports like golf, tennis, cross country, field hockey, football, soccer and volleyball. Most of the largest states (by population), including Texas, California, Florida and New York, have not held any state championship events yet.
The top 25 schools are listed with their MaxPreps Cup formula rating total.
Fayetteville of Arkansas jumps into the top 5 of the MaxPreps Cup October rankings. The Bulldogs are in the 6A volleyball finals looking for their third straight title. (Photo: Jann Hendry)
1.
Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.), 685
2.
Carmel (Ind.), 668
3.
Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), 566
4.
New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.), 549
5.
Fayetteville (Ark.), 481
6.
Edmond Memorial (Edmond, Okla.), 480
7.
Lincoln East (Lincoln, Neb.), 479
8.
Stevens (Rapid City, S.D.), 456
9.
Madison Central (Richmond, Ky.), 456
10.
Lakeside (Hot Springs, Ark.), 449
11.
Jackson Hole (Jackson, Wyo.), 434
12.
Columbus Academy (Gahanna, Ohio), 425
13.
American Fork (Utah), 424
14.
St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 407
15.
Latin (Chicago), 370
16.
Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.), 368
17.
Colony (Palmer, Alaska), 360
18.
Central (Cheyenne, Wyo.), 353
19.
Roane County (Kingston, Tenn.), 343
20.
Middleton (Wis.), 328
21.
Centerville (Ohio), 328
22.
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), 325
23.
Eastside (Taylors, S.C.), 316
24.
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), 311
25.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 305
