CIF 2026 Forecast

 The following links were forwarded to me by the -XCTF Stats Team. Check them out and feel free to comment below. Never too early to project to the state meet races.

BOYS
Write up here: https://xctfstats.substack.com/p/the-cif-2026-boys-forecast
Forecast Interactive Dashboard here: https://cif26-boys.pages.dev/

GIRLS
https://xctfstats.substack.com/p/a-preseason-forecast-for-the-california

Who Has Surprised You So Far in the 2026 XC Season?

Now that we have had a small sample of races, who have been the standout performances so far (individuals and teams)? You can check out the results in the post below.
• A team that looks better than expected?

• A boy who has made a big jump?

• A girl who has made a big jump?

• A freshman who has caught people's attention?

• A team or individual that is flying under the radar?
• Most improved team from last year so far?
• Any other observations.

Coming up this week...

Wednesday, August 26-9th Annual Bob Shor Invitational at Spring Lake Park RESULTS PHOTOS
Thursday, August 27-Brian Rogers/Peninsula Jamboree at York School Course RESULTS
Thursday, August 27-South County Jamboree at San Lorenzo County Park RESULTS
Friday, August 28-Sonoma Twilight 3200 Time Trials at Maria Carrillo HS RESULTS
Friday, August 28-Serra XC Jamboree at Bob Rush Crystal Springs Course

Saturday, August 29-Acalanes Invitational at Acalanes HS RESULTS
Freshman Eli Hernandez wins Varsity 2 mile race leading Granada to the team victory. For the girls, Elise Bayan-Ruiz, Granada sophomore, was the individual winner leading her team to the varsity team sweep.

Saturday, August 29-Hayward Scrimmage at Hayward HS LIVE RESULTS
Dublin varsity boys sweep the top 8 spots. Livermore's Jasmine Moniz wins varsity girls' race.

Saturday, August 29-Oakmont Invitational at Johnson Springview Park (65 teams) RESULTS
Galena boys edge Jesuit boys led by individual winner David Coisson at 11:36.65 (new course record). For the girls, St. Francis sophomore Alyssa Gutierrez won in 13:13.76, leading the Troubadours to the team victory.

Saturday, August 29-Thunder 2-miler at Buhach Colony HS

Saturday, August 29-Fighting Knights Joust at Bob Rush Crystal Springs Course LIVE RESULTS
Leigh senior Gelila Hailu won girls' senior race in 17:57.1 (fastest time of the day). Fastest time of the day for the boys belonged to Evergreen Valley junior, Johann Coss at 15:32.1. For the 2.13 mile course, the fastest time of the day for girls belonged to Carlmont sophomore, Isabella Schuett (13:26.8). For the boys, Woodside sophomore Calvin Peterson ran 11:11.3. In the freshman boys' race, Woodside Priory's Desmond Prindiville ran 11:13.5. For the girls, Carlmont's Camille Lacher was the winner at 13:32.2.

On Tap for the Day (A closer look at NCS)

5 NCS Runners Worth Watching Closely This Fall

BOYS
1. Clark Gregory 12 Campolindo Division III
2. Djali De Chalus 12 St. Mary's College Division IV
3. Caden Ehrhorn 11 Campolindo Division III
4. Ethan Kraska 12 University Division V
5. Rohan Kotamraju 11 Monte Vista Division II
Also mentioned: Ben Friedland 12 University, Alex van Veen 11 Granada.

GIRLS
1. Farah Allen 12 Branson Division V
2. Nadya Makarova 11 Monte Vista II
3. Sade Bumpus 12 Granada Division II
4. Josie Hill 12 Sonoma Academy Division V
5. Kaylie O'Connell 11 Monte Vista Division II

Now it's your turn. Feel free to answer the following questions in the comment section below. I will start adding individuals and teams as comments are posted.

The 2026 NCS Cross Country Season: 10 Questions We Need Answered

1. Who will emerge as the top boys' individual? Girls' individual?
2. Can last year's strongest teams repeat?
3. Which girls' team has improved the most?
4. Which sophomore will break through?
5. Which freshman could make an immediate impact?
6. Who will be the biggest riser from 2025?
7. Which team has the best 1–5 depth?
8. Who will surprise at Crystal Springs?
9. Who will contend for a state-meet spot?
10. What will be the biggest storyline of the season?

Who are the Runners you didn't know about last year who could be big in 2026?

Early NCS Team Rankings — But With a Twist.
Best front runner (boys and girls)?
Best 1–5 (boys and girls)?
Most improved (boys and girls)?
Best young team (boys and girls)?
Biggest sleeper (boys and girls)?
Teams I'm most curious to see race?

Ask Cross Country Express: What Do You Want Me to Cover This Season?
Teams to watch?
Historical questions?
Training questions?
Course questions?
CCS records you're curious about?
Interviews you'd like to see?

Sac-Joaquin Section Divisions posted

You can find the SJS Divisions for 2026 at this LINK. At first glance, it doesn't look like there is any major changes but I could be wrong. If a notable team moved divisions, please share below in the comment section.

Thanks to the South SJS Distance/Stanislaus County Distance Blog which you can find at this LINK, here are the notable changes for the SJS.

1. SIERRA HS--gained about 70 kids and moves from D3 to D2
2. BUHACH COLONY HS--lost about 35 students and goes from D2 to D3.
3. SUMMERVILLE HS--gained about 180 individuals and jumps from D5 to D4. 

On tap for today (A closer look at CCS)

5 CCS Runners Worth Watching Closely This Fall

BOYS
1. Evan Chopra 12 Menlo Atherton Division I
2. Deven Koppola 12 Mountain View Division I
3. Conrad Chern 12 Crystal Springs Uplands Division V
4. Henry Hauser 12 Menlo School Division IV
5. Liam Tassa 10 Mountain View Division I

GIRLS
1. Brooke Oliveira 12 Castilleja Division V
2. Gelila Hailu 12 Leigh Division II
3. Hannah Shehorn 12 Scotts Valley Division V
4. Ada Bielinska 12 Mountain View Division I
5. Brinley Pickett 11 St. Francis, MV Division II

Now it's your turn. Feel free to answer the following questions in the comment section below. I will start adding individuals and teams as comments are posted.

The 2026 CCS Cross Country Season: 10 Questions We Need Answered

1. Who will emerge as the top boys' individual? Girls' individual?
2. Can last year's strongest teams repeat?
3. Which girls' team has improved the most?
4. Which sophomore will break through?
5. Which freshman could make an immediate impact?
6. Who will be the biggest riser from 2025?
7. Which team has the best 1–5 depth?
8. Who will surprise at Crystal Springs?
9. Who will contend for a state-meet spot?
10. What will be the biggest storyline of the season?

Who are the Runners you didn't know about last year who could be big in 2026?

Early CCS Team Rankings — But With a Twist.
Best front runner (boys and girls)?
Best 1–5 (boys and girls)?
Most improved (boys and girls)?
Best young team (boys and girls)?
Biggest sleeper (boys and girls)?
Teams I'm most curious to see race?

Ask Cross Country Express: What Do You Want Me to Cover This Season?
Teams to watch?
Historical questions?
Training questions?
Course questions?
CCS records you're curious about?
Interviews you'd like to see?

9th Annual Bob Shor Invitational Live Results

https://diablotiming.com/results/2026-08-26/ 

Spring Lake 2.1-mile course
The varsity girls' winner was Cardinal Newman senior Ashlin Mallon in 12:50.0. She finished 6th at the 2025 CIF State Division V race.
The varsity boys' winner was Healdsburg junior Lucas Welty, with a time of 10:35.1. He finished 11th at the 2025 CIF State Division V race. Photo to the left from last year's NBL final, thanks to Michael Lucid. 

Catching up with Sonoma Academy senior runner, Josie Hill

Today, we chat with Sonoma Academy senior, Josie Hill. Last year, Hill transferred to SA after spending her first two years at Technology School in Rohnert Park. During the fall, Hill sat out the first month of the season due to a transfer and quickly made herself known by winning the small-school Artichoke Invitational race. She completed her cross country season by finishing in the top 10 at the state meet, leading the Coyotes to a 5th place finish in Division V. During the track and field season, Hill once again sat out the first month of the season and quickly made a big statement with a 2:06.38 opening 800. She recorded her fastest time in the 1600 with a time of 4:50.56 at the Stanford Invitational. In the 800, Hil was NCS champion, finished 3rd at the state meet and concluded her season with a victory at the Hoka Festival of Miles 800.

1)  What sports did you participate in before high school? What are your favorite memories and achievements from that time?
I did Girls on the Run in 4th and 5th grade, which is where I originally fell in love with running and racing. My biggest achievement in that time period was winning the girls on the run 5k in my area in the 5th grade. 

2)  What sports did you participate in during your two years at Technology, and what were the highlights?
I participated in track and cross country during both my years at Technology. A highlight was qualifying as an individual for my first state cross country trip, my freshman year. Another highlight was winning the open section of Arcadia in the 800 with a time of 2:09.12, my sophomore year, and qualifying for state finals in track that year as well.

3)  You transferred to a new school and coach this past school year. How has Coach Puppione helped your development as a runner and as a person?
Coach Pup has been a big help in so many ways to my development as a runner and as a person. What stands out to me most, though, is being able to go through my season without worrying about my training or whether I'm running the right meets because I trust his plan and training 100%, and I know he will help me reach my goals. As an athlete, only having to focus on showing up and getting the work in is such an advantage. 

4)  How important has the Sonoma Academy team been to your development? What do your teammates bring out of you that you might not get from training alone?
Being a part of Sonoma Academy's team has been a HUGE part of my development.  For cross country last year, qualifying for state as a team was such an amazing experience, and the motivation of running for the other runners on your team, not just yourself, is huge. Training-wise, being on this team has made an even bigger difference. I train with a group of our rising junior boys, and they are truly the best people to have by your side during a hard workout. I have so much gratitude for them because while we may not be racing together, they have gotten me through so many hard workouts. Training in the right group and having a crew you can lean on for support when the workout or season gets hard is so helpful. 

5)  You lowered your 800m time this past track season, running 2:05.86, which is the 2nd fastest time in NCS history. When did you first realize that kind of performance was possible?
I realized that kind of performance was possible at my season opener when I ran 2:06.38. I knew it was going to happen; it just needed to be the right race.

6)  That performance came at the Hoka Festival of Miles 800, which you won. What do you remember most about that meet, and what did you learn from the experience?
What stood out to me most about that meet was honestly the environment. Everyone was super hyped to be there, there was music, and the crowd was very energetic. I went into that race with such a feeling of joy and gratitude to be there. That race taught me that when you step back from the nerves and focus on your love of the sport, amazing things can happen.

7)  What does a typical week of training look like when preparing for an important 800m versus preparing for cross country?
Usually, I would start off on Monday with some 800s at tempo effort and then do a speed ladder. Tuesday, I would go on a medium-length recovery run; Wednesday, I would do some more speed; Thursday, I would have off; and Friday, I would have my pre-meet tune-up, where I would practice getting off the line and my mid-race rhythm. For XC at the beginning of the week, the training pretty much remains the same as always. Near the end of the week, we might focus on some faster stuff or running things at race rhythm.

8)  What have you learned about racing the 800m that you wish you had known when you first started competing in the event?
I wish I had known to try to find a more relaxed rhythm on the first lap instead of just taking it out very fast. I also wish I had known that it is a rough race and you need to be assertive early on in the more competitive races.

9)  You have had success across multiple distances. Is there a particular race or performance you are most proud of, even if it is not your fastest time? Why?
I am most proud of my sophomore year Arcadia 800. I ran my own race that day, and it was definitely an eye-opening experience. 

10) What was the most difficult part of transitioning from being a very good high school runner to competing at your current level?
Probably the increase in training and coming to the realization that everyone I'm competing against now is working very hard. At this level, no one is running purely off of natural talent; everyone is putting in the work one way or another. 

11) Could you share some of your favorites and training details?

 - Favorite XC course, invitational, and workout?

Artichoke Invitational 2.3-mile course, Artichoke Invitational, repeat miles.

- Favorite track event, invitational, and workout?

The 800, Arcadia, speed ladder!

 - Favorite long run and trail?

I love doing my long runs on the trails around Spring Lake! We also did some beautiful long runs out in Pt. Reyes this summer.

- Approximate weekly mileage and longest run?

Just under 40 miles a week right now. My longest run is about 9-10 miles

- Any supplemental training?

I cross train two times a week, usually for about an hour each time on the elliptical.

- Favorite free time activity or interest outside of running?

I love eating and trying new foods! I am also on a dance team, and we help run dance classes, which is a lot of fun. 

12) What are you hoping to accomplish during your final year of high school running, and is there a particular race or goal you are especially excited about?
My biggest goal this year is to win the 800 at state. It's something I definitely think I am capable of and it has been a goal of mine for a while now. 

13) Looking beyond high school, what are your goals for your running career and what are you looking for in a college program?
I am looking forward to running in college which will be a great opportunity to push the limits and chase the fastest version of myself. I am looking for a competitive collegiate program with coaches that will push me to be the best runner I can be. 

Thank you very much for your time, Josie. AJC

Artichoke Invitational

A quick update about the Artichoke Invitational. It will take place this year on its traditional first Saturday in October (October 3rd). What will change is the schedule. This year, the schedule will follow a typical invitational schedule with all races (small and large schools) starting in the morning.

NorCal incoming freshmen

Moving this to the top. Any other freshmen that should be added to the lists below? Please list their names and middle school times/ accolades in the comment section below. I will add them to the list before we get into September.

Eli Hernandez Granada NCS 4:13.95 (1500), 4:30.8 (1600), 8:58.71 (3000)
Desmond Prindiville Woodside Priory CCS 4:13.57 (1500), 4:27.84 (1600), 4:29.13 (mile)
Henry Bartle Carmel CCS 2:02.75 (800), 4:11.06 (1500), 4:27.35 (1600), 4:29.16 (mile)
Batu Duygulutuna Los Gatos CCS 2:09.67 (800), 4:38.15 (1600)
Noah Wilson McClatchy SJS 2:15.93 (800), 4:35.57 (1600), 4:37.02 (mile) 10:49.79 (3200)
Lucas McKenna St. Francis, MV CCS 2:15.74 (800), 4:38.53 (1500), 4:54.85 (1600), 4:56.35 (mile)
Noah Jacques Woodside CCS 4:45.86 (1500), 5:02.60 (1600), 5:07.96 (mile)
Bailey Stucker Mountain View CCS 2:01.98 (800), 4:29.13 (mile)
Knox Williams De La Salle NCS 4:29.57 (1500), 4:45.71 (1600), 4:47.28 (mile)
Xavier Contreras Las Lomas 4:28.74 (1500), 9:33.55 (3000)
Jude Nartker Oak Ridge 4:47.00 (1600), 9:36.09 (3000)
Diego West Santa Rosa 2:10.27 (800), 4:23.22 (1500), 4:51.38 (1600)

Janet Criss Moreau Catholic NCS 11.67 (100), 23.97 (200), 58.56 (400)
Ava Takeuchi Whitney (SJS) 2:17.24 (800), 4:44.68 (1500), 5:18.57 (1600), 5:23.78 (mile)
Annika Whalen Mountain View CCS 2:20.33 (800)
Stella Hahn Lick-Wilmerding NCS? 1:01.77 (400), 2:22.03 (800), 4:56.33 (1500)
Mae Mickel Miramonte NCS 2:27.65 (800), 5:20.0h (1600)
Emma Logan Miramonte NCS 2:29.12 (800), 5:29.0h (1600)
Emory Hartzell Woodside CCS 2:45.93 (800), 5:57.78 (1600)

Any other outstanding freshmen?