Speed Rating Comparisons For The Top 25 Girls Ahead Of NXN

In short, a speed rating is a number attributed to an XC performance, roughly one point per three seconds, adjusted for overall race quality and depth. Using these numbers, we can compare performances on an apples to apples basis -- in terms of XC times and teams. It provides an answer to the hypothetical question, "What would happen if the best teams in the nation all raced at once?" However, these do not predict the outcome of NXN.

So what does this all mean? 

The best way to describe speed ratings are that they can be used as seeds heading into a big race. The actual speed ratings will vary from race to race, but these numbers give an indication of the potential ceiling of an athlete.