Here’s a link to those rankings.

Clearly, North Rockland has the best chance to upset Suffern. But for that to happen, the Red Raiders will need to beat the Mounties head to head in any event where it’s feesible. For instance, if Britney Clarke and Jen Clayton both run the 200, Clarke needs to beat her (and finish first). The Red Raiders need every point possible to pull off the upset.

With those thoughts in mind, let me give you my top five.

1. Suffern – OK, so kill me for going chalk here. If there was any doubt about how good this team is (which I don’t think there was) it was washed away when it scored the most points of any team at Loucks. With the two Claytons and Greany, Suffern comes into a meet with star power that no team can match.

2. North Rockland – This is a really, really good team. In a lot of counties North Rockland would be a huge favorite in a meet like this. It just so happens that they compete in a county with a great team.

3. Clarkstown South – The Vikings will score their share of points because they have a few athletes who are among the best in the Section in their events. Michelle Eberhart is coming off a win in the triple jump at Loucks, and Lori Rendos (pole vault) and Devon Coulter (race walk) should finish in the top two or three in their events. Lauren Schlanger has the best discus mark in Rockland this year, so the Vikings will count on her for some points as well.

4. Pearl River – Watch out for this team in the future. A lot of coach Dan Doherty’s best talent is only in 8th or 9th grade. The Pirates are still probably too young to crack the top 3 at counties, but they have a bright future.

5. Tappan Zee – They don’t quite have the depth to compete for the title, but with Emma Miller-Bedell and Sara Graney, the Dutchies will score some points.