2026 Artichoke Invitational cancelled

Just passing the word from Half Moon Bay HS that the 2026 Artichoke Invitational will not be taking place this year. The plan is for the meet to return next season. Please help pass the word to teams that have traditionally raced at this meet.

Coming up this week

September 2 Alisal Time Trial at Natividad Creek Park (CCS)
September 2 Oakland Section Season Kickoff at Skyline HS (OAK) LIVE RESULTS
September 2 Stinson Beach Relays at Stinson Beach (NCS) NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
September 2 TCAL #1 at Oak Grove Park (SJS)
September 2 Southern League Meet 1 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park (SJS)
September 2 MVC Invitational at Monte Vista Christian School (CCS)
September 2 MVAL Opener at Newark Memorial (NCS)
September 2 BVAL Center Meet at Stoneman Trailhead (NCS)
September 2 BVAL #1 at Freedom HS (NCS)
September 3 Cleve Thayer Invitational at Stevenson School (CCS)
September 4 Baylands Invitational at Baylands Park (CCS) RESULTS
September 4 Little Ed Practice Meet at Hidden Valley Park (NCS) RESULTS
September 5 St. Mary’s Invitational at St. Mary’s College (NCS)
September 5 Soiree Distance Festival at Sunset Whitney Recreation Area (SJS)
September 5 Lagoon Valley Classic at Lagoon Valley Park (SJS) LIVE RESULTS
September 5 Fort Ord Relays at Fort Ord Day Camp Cycling Area (NS)

Woodbridge Classic Featured Races

Just posted...
https://www.woodbridgexcclassic.com/racingInfo/featuredEntries

NorCal teams/individuals in the Sweepstakes Races
BOYS
Granada (NCS) Division II
Jesuit (SJS) Division II
Mountain View (CCS) Division I
Vacaville (SJS) Division II
Evan Chopra, Menlo Atherton (CCS) Division I
Djali DeChalus, St. Mary's (Berkeley) Division IV
Hugh Heyer, McClatchy (SJS) Division I
Landon Warriner, McClatchy (SJS) Division I

GIRLS
Branson (NCS) Division V
Monte Vista (NCS) Division II
Mountain View (CCS) Division I
Oak Ridge (SJS) Division I
San Francisco University (NCS) Division V
St. Francis, SJ (SJS) Division III
Gelila Hailu, Leigh (CCS) Division II

NorCal teams/individuals in the Rated Races
BOYS
McClatchy (SJS) Division I
Menlo (CCS) Division IV
Menlo Atherton (CCS) Division I
Milpitas (CCS) Division I
Oak Ridge (SJS) Division I
Oliver Charkiewicz, River City (SJS) Division I
Rohan Iyer, Milpitas (CCS) Division I

GIRLS
Granada (NCS) Division II
Leigh (CCS) Division II
Menlo Atherton (CCS) Division I
Emmy Angelo, Ponderosa (SJS) Division 
Paula Devine, St. Mary's College (NCS) Division IV
Ashlin Mallon, Cardinal Newman (NCS) Division V

Jackie Henderson Memorial Meet Preview

Thanks to Coach Gustavo Ibarra. You can find a detailed meet preview as well as all-time records for the 7th annual event.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GnU4JdC4RDqB_Q3a9q05t2K9xQdc2Hgv7dBCots8OkA/edit?usp=sharing

Stinson Beach Relays report

You can check out an article about that race in the MarinIJ at this LINK.

Participating teams were Archie Williams, Redwood, Branson, San Rafael, San Marin San Domenico, Marin Academy, Terra Linda, and Tamalpais.

West Coast XC NorCal preview of the top teams and individuals

 My interview with Ken Martinez of West Coast XC highlighting the top teams and individuals in Northern California, as well as the top girls teams and individuals in the Central Section. If I missed anybody that should have been included, please mention them in the comment section below.

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 RESULTS

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?