10 Facts About Successful Coaches

http://completetrackandfield.com/successful-coaches/

NCS Division IV Pre-Season Rankings

As one Division IV coach stated, "Year in and year out, forecasting this division proves to be quite difficult because of the parity that exists between the perennial top dogs." I agree with that statement wholeheartedly yet here I am trying to make sense of this upcoming season. I am not sure if I can pick a favorite with conviction (especially on the boys side) but I can point out the top teams and individuals.

Over the past 8 years, the most successful team has been St. Mary's Berkeley coached by former Cal All-American and school record holder high jumper, Jeff Rogers. They won NCS titles in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. The next best team has been San Rafael coached by Jason Jacobson who has led his teams to two NCS titles in 2010 and 2012 and his 2010 team also won the California state meet. I think both teams will find a way to be competitive this year but at this point other teams appear to be just a step above both teams.

This is a tough one to pick (I said that already right?) but at this point I will go with McKinleyville. This may be a surprise but they return all 6 of their competitors from last year's NCS meet. Their coach, Jason Lewis, has done a nice job rebuilding that program and coaching Division IV defending champion, Morgin Coonfield. They will be led by senior John Milender (4:35.05/10:19.45) who finished in 16th place at last year's NCS meet. San Rafael, after last year's 2nd place finish, will be led by individual favorite, Nassim Kabbara (4:20.56/9:50.80). This deep division offers many other contenders for those elusive four state meet berths. Arcata returns 5 out of 7 and improved nicely during the track and field season. They will be led by Brandon Kelsey (4:35.09/9:39.12) and Kellen O'Neill (4:35.33/9:51.66). Sir Francis Drake could be another dangerous team with 5 out of 7 returning from last year and that doesn't include Brody Barkan (1:59.09 although did run 1:57.88 in previous season) and Nick Harris (2:03.12). Should they decide to run cross country this coming season, coach Bill Taylor will have quite a group to help secure their first section title since 2000. Piner will also return 5 out of their top 7 and will be paced by junior, Eduardo Calderon (16:16 at 2013 NCS MOC). St. Mary's Berkeley only returns 2 out of their 7 from last year's championship team but history has proven that they reload and will be competitive once again.

The race for the individual title will be between the top returner Nassim Kabbara of San Rafael and impressive rising sophomore, El Molino's Brian Schulz who were separated by only 5 seconds at last year's NCS MOC meet. They will also be challenged by Brian Kelsey of Arcata, Eduardo Calderon of Piner, Zach Bibeault (4:37.07) of Terra Linda and Brady Lane (4:32.86/10:12.36) of El Molino.

Top 5 individual runners returning from last year's NCS MOC XC meet:
Nassim Kabbara (2) San Rafael 15:53
Brian Schulz (5) El Molino 15:58
Brandon Kelsey (6) Arcata 16:06
Eduardo Calderon (9) Piner 16:16
Zach Bibeault (10) Terra Linda 16:18

Girls pre-season Division IV rankings will be up next...

Maddy Price makes history on world stage with Canadian relay team

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/sports/2014-07-28/maddy-price-makes-history-on-world-stage-with-canadian-relay-team/1776425127343.html

Wharf to Wharf Results

http://live.xacte.com/wharftowharf/ (You can search for all the current and ex NorCal HS runners)

Madeline Price (CA) - Women's 400m Prelims (53.86)

http://usa.milesplit.com/meets/158668/videos/?id=63862#.U9G0X-M8Bng (Interview with former Menlo School sprinter, Maddy Price following her performance at World Junior Championship)

CCS All-Time Top 100 State Meet Team Times

CCS All-Time Top 100 State Meet Team Times (Thanks to Bellarmine coach, Patrick McCrystle)

Quote of the Week

"If you desire long term success, fall in love with the grind and the process of your passion - not the end result" Josh Cox

Do you have any favorite quotes that you would like to share? Add them to the comment section below.

World junior championships begin Tuesday at Hayward Field...

http://paulmerca.blogspot.com/2014/07/world-junior-championships-begin.html

Prohibition of Jewelry Lifted in High School Track and Field (UPDATE)

Starting during the 2015 Track and Field season, the much maligned jewelry rule will be no longer be in effect. (Rule changes take effect in December so no jewelry will still be in effect during the 2014 cross country season).

You can check out the abolition of that rule as well as other rule changes at the following link:
http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=10890

CCS Time Comparisons for all divisions (boys and girls) courtesy of Walt Van Zant

http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/XC/2014/comparsn.htm#table10

Seeking Assistant Coach

Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco (CCS) is seeking to hire an assistant coach for the 2014 Cross Country season. Being able to run with the team is preferred. Practices are daily from 3:30-5:30pm with Saturday meets or practices. Stipend available. Can be flexible regarding availability. Please contact Head Coach Andy Chan at achan@shcp.edu if interested or for more information. 

Top Cross Country team (boys and girls) in Northern California

Who are the top returning teams this coming season? Who are going to be the most improved and biggest surprises? What times will have a chance to land on the podium at the state meet?

Walt Van Zant's CCS Pre-Season Comparisons (Divisions I-V boys and Divisions I-II girls)

http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/XC/2014/comparsn.htm (image thanks to webmaster extraordinaire Hank Lawson)

Now updated with all boys divisions.

Bay Area Running Camp starts July 21st

The Bay Area Running Camp will take place once again at Corte Madera School in Portola Valley. We still have a few spots available if you are looking for a running camp this summer. You can check out all the information for the camp at the links below including all the youth camp information, camp speakers and registration link. There is a team discount if you and four members of your school team attend the camp. Please email us at bayarearunningcamp@gmail.com for the group discount code.

Youth Camp Information
http://www.bayarearunningcamp.com/p/youth-camp.html

Camp Speakers
http://www.bayarearunningcamp.com/p/speakers.html

Registration

You would be hard pressed to find a better running camp with a great group of speakers that include Lauren Fleshman and Davis HS coach Bill Gregg. Questions? Email us at the email address above.

Donation to Cross Country Express

If you have enjoyed the Track and Field and pre-season Cross Country coverage on this website this past season, a kind donation would be appreciated.  You can do so with the link to the right.  If you don't do online payments, you can send a check to Albert Caruana c/o Crystal Springs Uplands School, 400 Uplands Drive, Hillsborough CA 94010.  

This site will remain a free service throughout the year but as you know, a lot of time, effort and money goes into the maintenance of a website.

Thank you to all of you that have contributed already.  It's very much appreciated.