Saturday, July 29, 2006

Oakland Athletic League History

Men’s Cross Country Champions

Year School Coach

1964 Skyline Milt Weiner

1965 Skyline Milt Weiner

1966 Skyline Dave Peterson

1967 Skyline Dave Peterson

1968 Skyline Dave Peterson

1969 Skyline Dave Peterson

1970 Skyline Dave Peterson

1971 Skyline Dave Peterson

1972 Skyline Dave Peterson

1973 Skyline Dave Peterson

1974 Skyline Dave Peterson

1975 Skyline Dave Peterson

1976 Skyline Dave Peterson

1977 Skyline Dave Peterson

1978 Skyline Dave Peterson

1979 Skyline Dave Peterson

1980 Skyline William Jenney

1981 Skyline William Jenney

1982 Skyline William Jenney

1983 Skyline Mark Richardson

1984 Skyline Norbert Payton

1985 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1986 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1987 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1988 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1989 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1990 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1991 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1992 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1993 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1994 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1995 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1996 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1997 Oakland High Dave Ponas

1998 Oakland High Dave Ponas

1999 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2000 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2001 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2002 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2003 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2004 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2005 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2006 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

2007 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

Women’s Cross Country Champions

Year School Coach

1978 Skyline Dave Peterson

1979 Skyline Dave Peterson

1980 Skyline Dave Peterson

1981 Skyline William Jenney

1982 Skyline William Jenney

1983 Skyline Mark Richardson

1984 Skyline Norbert Payton

1985 Skyline Norbert Payton

1986 Skyline Norbert Payton

1987 Skyline Norbert Payton

1988 Fremont Eduardo Barranco

1989 Skyline Noah Hinkston

1990 Oakland High Doug Owyang

1991 Oakland Technical Kevin Rudy

1992 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1993 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1994 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1995 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1996 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1997 Skyline Jeff DeWitt

1998 Oakland High Dave Ponas

1999 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2000 Fremont Norbert Payton

2001 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

2002 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2003 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

2004 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2005 Oakland High Dave Ponas

2006 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

2007 Skyline Christopher Luke Williams

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

NCS Division V Pre-Season Rankings

Division V was added to the XC State Meet in 1996 and no other girls' team has dominated NCS and State Meet competition like University HS. From 1996 to 2004, UHS won every NCS championship race and went on to the state meet to record 6 State Championships (1996-98, 2001-03) and 2 second place finishes (1999, 2000). The 6 state championships won by University are the most titles by any girl's team in any division. McFarland with 9 and Jesuit with 8 are the two leaders for the boys.

The Crystal Springs Uplands girls defeated University at the NCS meet last year to break their string of 10 consecutive NCS championships (9 in Div. V and 1 in Div. IV). CSU then ran their best race of the season at the State Meet to record a 2nd place finish behind a very strong Mt. Shasta team. The Gryphons should be the NCS favorite this year returning 5 out of the top 7 along with a strong group of JV runners. Maddie Rozwat will lead the team coming off a very strong Track season recording 5:23.67 and 11:46.55 times.

The teams that will be CSU's main pursuers are University and Lick Wilmerding. The UHS girls return their top 5 runners that includes the defending NCS champion, Andrea Imhof. Her time of 18:17 on the Hayward Course was the 2nd fastest ever run by a Division V athlete (behind only 3 time state champion, Clara Horowitz of Head Royce) and tied for the 7th fastest time in all Divisions in 2005. Imhof also had a fine Track season qualifying for both the 800 and 1600 in the NCS Meet of Champions with fine 2:16.91 and 5:07.67 clockings. Lick Wilmerding will have a strong pack with loads of potential considering their top 4 were all freshman last year. Emma Smart should be the lead runner following a fine 5:33.15 during Track season.

The battle for the 4th and final state meet qualifying spot should come down to Marin Academy and Berean Christian. Marin Academy will arguably have the best one-two punch (Alesandra Roger and Kimberly Volkman) of any teams in this division. Roger will once again battle with Andrea Imhof for the individual honors after winning the title in 2004. Roger seems primed for battle after recording an 11.22.10 for 3200 meters at the NCS MOC to finish in 7th place. She also secured her 3rd black shirt at the famed Dipsea race on June 11th. BC will be lead by seniors, Ruth and Marta Adamiec, who powered their team to the NCS Track Class A Team title with some very inspired racing.

The University boys have enjoyed their own string of NCS victories and their streak is still alive at 7. That ties them with the Livermore team (1990-96 in Division III) for most consecutive victories in XC. Although they have had some close races in NCS before, this year could prove to be their biggest challenge. College Prep returns their full ensemble from last year and seem motivated to knock off the Red Devils. Matt Katz had a huge breakthrough in Track recording the following times: 800-2:02.0, 1600-4:32.51, and 3200-10:12.95. He will do battle with St. Helena's Brian Cole for individual honors.

In what will be a very competitive team battle, the next two teams (Crystal Springs Uplands and Lick Wilmerding) also return strong teams that could challenge the top two. CSU will be lead by four year varsity member, senior Simon Neely and Sean Faulk, who qualified for state as an individual last season and enjoyed a successful track season running 2:01.80 for 800m. LW will have a very strong pack that could have a different lead runner at each of their races. Going into the season, it appears the above mentioned teams seem to be out of reach for the rest of the division but don't count out a young Head Royce team along with two time state meet qualifier, Santa Rosa Christian and their top runner, Zac Nave.

Division V Boys (Top 4 Advance to state)
1) University-Can this group lead to another NCS title?
2) College Prep-Seems poised to break the UHS streak.
3) Crystal Springs Uplands-Tough senior group also hungry for title.
4) Lick Wilmerding-Nice close pack that will contend.
5) Head Royce-Chase Wilson will lead young group.
On the bubble: Santa Rosa Christian, Berean Christian, and Chinese Christian

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Chase Wilson (2) Head Royce 16:29
Parker Brown (4) University 16:53
Zac Nave (6) Santa Rosa Christian 17:01
Patrick Wendell (8) University 17:09
Thomas Bliska (10) Marin Academy 17:15
Also: Brian Cole (10th in Div. IV) St. Helena 16:20

Division V Girls (Top 4 Advance to state)
1) Crystal Springs Uplands-Senior Maddie Rozwat leads Gryphons.
2)University-Can topple CSU with some freshman help.
3)Lick Wilmerding-Emma Smart leads Tigers after nice Track season.
4)Marin AcademyRoger and Volkman need help to hold spot.
5) Berean Christian-Will have to battle to break into top 4.
On the bubble: Convent, and College Prep

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Andrea Imhof (1) University 18:17
Alesandra Roger (2) Marin Academy 19:17
Maddie Rozwat (4) Crystal Springs Uplands 19:34
Kimberly Volkman (6) Marin Academy 19:57
Aimee Raleigh (7) Crystal Springs Uplands 19:59

Sunday, July 23, 2006

NCS Division IV Pre-Season Rankings

After scoring an impressive 33 points at last year's NCS Meet to win their 7th section title, the Piedmont H.S. boys lived up to their pre-season billing and won their 1st XC State Championship. Piedmont has quietly been one of the top XC programs ever since the debut of the State Championship at Woodward Park in 1987 with an impressive string of success in Fresno. From the inception of the state meet to 2005, Piedmont has recorded 7 Top Five Finishes (1988 5th in Division II, 1993 4th in Division IV, 1994 4th in Division IV, 1995 3rd in Division IV, 2000 3rd in Division IV, 2004 5th in Division IV and 2005 1st in Division IV). Not too many teams in the state of California can match that level of consistency over that period of time.

The loss of the senior group from last year could prove to be too much for the Highlanders. Although they appear to return a dynamic duo (Marc Ceraldi and Jesse Baldridge), that too is still uncertain. Ceraldi was shut down midway through Track season and his return to XC is still up in the air. For anybody who has been to the Piedmont campus, there will be no doubt that whoever will make up Piedmont's top 7 this year will be very tough on hills.

With Piedmont appearing to be the wild card of Division IV, St. Mary's Berkeley and Arcata now emerge as the two favorites for the NCS title. Both teams are well armed for battle this year bringing back the majority of their top runners (Arcata doesn't lose anybody). Matt Duffy and Rob Riccardi will lead St. Mary's this year after both recording top 10 finishes at last year's NCS meet. Arcata will bring a lot of depth to the meet led by senior Ian Girard.

For the girls, Piedmont appears to be the favorite for the NCS crown. They return their top runner (Marki Becker) along with a very talented group that just narrowly lost last year's NCS race to a very tough, senior laden, Arcata team. The next three state meet qualifying spots will come down to a very even competition between El Molino (down from Div. III), Ursuline, St. Joseph Notre Dame, and San Rafael (also down from Div. III). Frequent state meet competitors Moreau Catholic and Arcata will be ready of any of the previously mentioned teams falter in Ukiah.

Division IV Boys (Top 3 Advance to state)
1) St. Mary's Berkeley-Duffy and Riccardi form tough duo up front.
2) Arcata-Deep, competitive team that could upset.
3) San Rafael-Dave Buscho leads the way for the Bulldogs.
4) Piedmont-Can they put it together again this year?
5) Moreau Catholic-Always one of the top Division IV teams.
On the bubble: Cardinal Newman

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Marc Ceraldi (1) Piedmont 15:24
Matt Duffy (6) St. Mary's Berkeley 15:58
Jesse Baldridge (7) Piedmont 16:03
Rob Riccardi (9) St. Mary's Berkeley 16:03
Ian Girard (11) Arcata 16:26
Also: David Buscho (6th in Division III) San Rafael 16:02


Division IV Girls (Top 3 Advance to state)
1) Piedmont-Deepest team returning in this Division.
2) Ursuline-Have qualified for state 3 out of the last 4 years.
3) St. Joseph Notre Dame-Damajeria Dubose (10th) leads the Pilots.
4) San Rafael-Could this be their 1st State Meet berth?
5) El Molino-Top 5 is back with hopes of Fresno.
One the bubble: Arcata, Moreau Catholic

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Marki Becker (3) Piedmont 19:03
Natalee Fisher (5) Marin Catholic 19:22
Arielle Frasher-Slavin (5)Arcata 19:27
Marielle Ponticiello (8)Ursuline 19:32
Damajeria Dubose (9)St. Joseph ND 19:33

Division V will be posted on Wednesday. Feel free to comment on above rankings.

Friday, July 21, 2006

NCS Division III Pre-Season Rankings

What will be the most competitive Division for girls in NCS this year? Without drawing too much of an argument, Division III will once again rule as the toughest division. Looking at the state meet results of the past six years, the girls in this division have recorded two state championships (Miramonte 2003, Campolindo 2001), three 2nd. place finishes (Maria Carrillo 2004, Campolindo 2003, 2002) and two 3rd. place finishes (Miramonte 2005 and Campolindo 2000).

Maria Carrillo is back in Division III this year and will have an impact on both races. Losing their lead runner (Jacqui Wentz) from last year, the MC girls will return the next 6 runners and will definitely be one of the top four teams. The battle for the top two spots is no surprise as Miramonte and Campolindo renew their rivalry. These teams have won 5 of the last 6 NCS Division III titles. Losing coach Chris Walsh should have been a tough loss for Campolindo but they quickly signed on Chuck Woolridge from College Park who will keep the red train rolling.

The Acalanes boys will once again be the team to beat. According the pre-season state rankings on Dyestatcal, Acalanes is ranked 2nd in the state going into the season. Maria Carrillo and Campolindo also made the top 10 as they came in at 6th and 8th respectively. It should be interesting how quickly these two teams rebuild after losing some of their top runners from last year. The battle for the fourth and last state meet qualifying spot should come down to Bishop O'Dowd and Miramonte.

Division III Boys (Top 4 Advance to state)
1) Acalanes-Top 4 return to win first crown.
2) Maria Carrillo-Deep, competitive team that could upset.
3) Campolindo-Some big shoes to fill from last year.
4) Bishop O’Dowd-In a battle to hold this spot.
5) Miramonte-Always in the hunt despite graduation losses.
On the bubble: Las Lomas, Analy, Alhambra

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Nate Beach (3) Acalanes 15:51
Connor Mooney (4) Acalanes 15:55
Joey Kochlacs (7) Campolindo16:02
Tyler Cannon-Reese (10) Analy 16:08
Carl Swanson (11) Alhambra 16:09

Division III Girls (Top 4 Advance to state)
1) Campolindo-Return strongest lineup to defend crown.
2) Miramonte-Will they hit the freshman lottery again?
3) Maria Carrillo-Top 2 teams will bring out the best of this group.
4) Acalanes-No Mo, no problem?
5) Bishop O’Dowd-Pappas steps in as team leader.
One the bubble: Albany, Las Lomas, Northgate

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Elaine Tanski (3) Miramonte 17:59
Alexi Pappas (4) Bishop O'Dowd 18:02
Laurie Finnegan (5) Campo 18:17
Catherine Murillo (6) Campo 18:31
Jenny Bergren (7) Miramonte 18:42

Division IV will be posted on Monday. Feel free to comment on above rankings.

NCS Division II Pre-Season Rankings

As many of you may have noticed yesterday, De La Salle was not mentioned in the Division I Rankings. How could I not list the three time defending N.C.S. Champions that finished 6th place among the powerhouse SS Section teams at State? Well, the reason is they dropped down to Division II along with Mission San Jose, Hayward, Rancho Cotate, Washington and Ukiah. DLS did lose four out of their top five but don't feel sorry for them yet. Looking at their team roster from last year that numbered 72 runners (not 72 boys and girls but 72 BOYS...can you say depth?), I have no doubt they will reload this year to be a player in this Division.

It seems like a two team battle this year with two very even teams battling it out for title. In what could be described as a coin flip, the team title will come down to Petaluma and Eureka. Both teams return 6 runners from their teams last year. Sterling Lockert who finished 13th at the NCS XC race and then went on to record a 9:31.74 at the NCS Meet of Champions, as a FRESHMAN will lead Petaluma. Eureka will be strong again with Dillon Ayers and Kyle Louv returning as their teams top two runners. The Loggers are no strangers to XC success as their 1999 Team won the State Championship.

On the girls’ side, Carondelet appears to be the favorite at this point of the season but Arroyo will have something to say about that. Carondelet returns their entire top 7 from last year that finished 3rd at the NCS final behind Maria Carrillo (now in Div. III) and Arroyo. Arroyo will be very strong once again this year after qualifying to the State Meet last year as well as defeat their league rival Castro Valley for the first time since 1982.

And so, without further adieu, I present to you the rankings.

Division II Boys (Top 3 Advance to state)
1) Petaluma-Four freshmen on their varsity last year.
2) Eureka-Classic uniforms that are like no other.
3) De La Salle-Success in past puts them here.
4) Montgomery-Everybody is back from 4th place finish last year.
5) Santa Rosa-Returns 5 out of top 7..
On the bubble: Arroyo, American, Irvington

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Dillon Ayers (3) Eureka 16:04
Kyle Louv (6) Eureka 16:06
Blake McDowall (9) Montgomery 16:15
Sterling Lockert (13) Petaluma 16:29
Benjamin Stern (14) Petaluma 16:35
Also: Alex Davies (8th in Div. I) De La Salle 16:05

Division II Girls (Top 4 advance to state)
1) Carondelet-Fast freshman to bolster title hopes?
2) Arroyo-Ashley Chan leads the way.
3) Alameda-Hornets will swarm competition (couldn't resist).
4) Petaluma-Returns 4 out of top 7.
5) Mission San Jose-Trying their luck with Division II
On the bubble: Montgomery

Top 5 Returning Individuals, (place) & time 2005 NCS meet:
Sara Alliotti (3) Carondelet 18:46
Celeste Berg (4) Montgomery 18:54
Ashley Chan (8) Arroyo 19:02
Taylor Parks (12) Petaluma 19:14
Anna Smidebush (13) Concord 19:27
Also: Shannon Rich (3rd in Div. I) Rancho Cotate 18:48

Feel free to comment on the above rankings. Division III will be posted tomorrow.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

NCS Division I Pre-Season Rankings

To spark conversation as well as perhaps motivating some runners out there, here are my pre-season rankings for the 2006 edition of the N.C.S. Cross Country Championship meet. This year’s version will be held at the famed (or soon to be famous) Ukiah Course, which hosted the last sectional championship in 2003 (as well as in 2000). Never heard or seen this course you say? Well here is the Ukiah Course for your viewing pleasure thanks to Chuck Woolridge of College…errr Campolindo High School. You can also take a look at the Top Ten list of the course from all Divisions based on the 2000 and 2003 times.

Who will win those elusive golden tickets to the California State Meet this coming fall you might ask? Will this be the last year for Woodward Park as the host of the State Meet? Talk about a disaster of epic proportions. It would be a greater injustice than the C.C.S. alternating their championship meet between Crystal Springs Course and Toro Park but don’t get me started. That’s like Pebble Beach and a Miniature Golf Course alternating hosting the US Open. CCS is meant to be held at the Crystal Springs Course and the State Meet is meant to be held at Woodward Park. Hopefully the CIF can work this out with the city of Fresno and continue with Fresno as the place to be on Thanksgiving weekend.

So how did I come up with the following predictions you might ask? I left no stone, well website, unturned. The rankings are based on last year's NCS XC meet and times achieved during Track season. When in doubt, I did give the edge to some teams who have done historically well in past championships. Keep in mind that these rankings were made without the knowledge of incoming freshmen (as well as transfers) that will have a greater impact on the girl's side. Although freshmen boys can make an impact with some teams like last year's Petaluma team and in the lower divisions, this is certainly not the norm.

Without further adieu, here are the Division I rankings for both boys and girls. To paraphrase the immortal words of Michael Buffer, “Let’s Get Ready to Rank!” Hmmmm…not quite as catchy.

Division I Boys (Top 3 advance to state)
1) Castro Valley-Strong duo up front.
2) College Park-Peabody will be favorite for individual crown.
3) Livermore-Returns 4 out of top 5.
4) Deer Valley-Could be sleeper this year.
5) San Ramon Valley-Returns top 7 runners.
On the bubble: Granada, Liberty, James Logan

Top 5 returning Individuals, (place) and time 2005 NCS meet:
Andy Peabody (5) College Park 15:35
James Fazzio (9) Castro Valley 16:06
Jack Leng (14) Castro Valley 16:17
Avery James (15) Deer Valley 16:19
Sebastian Schwelm (16) Berkeley 16:19

Division I Girls (Top 2 advance to state)
1) College Park-The cupboard is definitely not bare.
2) Castro Valley-Historically strong program.
3) Livermore-Led by defending individual champion.
4) San Ramon Valley-One of best-combined programs.
5) Deer Valley-Strong upside with Hodges.
On the bubble: Antioch, Foothill, Mission San Jose, James Logan

Top Five Returning Individuals, (place) and time 2005 NCS meet:
Diana George (1) Livermore 17:56
Karlina Beringer (4) Castro Valley 19:02
Alexis Nordine (5) San Ramon Valley 19:07
Zuna Portillo (6) Pittsburgh 19:09
Alyson Finley (9) College Park 19:12

Feel free to comment on the above rankings. Division II will be posted tomorrow.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Fastest returning CCS runners from 2009...

Thanks to Josh Small for following data:

Top 12 returning Boys from CCS Championship
1
PARKER SCHUH         
12
MOUNTAIN VIEW    
15:16
2
WILL GIEKEN          
12
LOS GATOS        
15:28
3
KEVIN BISHOP         
11
MONTA VISTA      
15:30
4
MAX BELL             
12
SALINAS
15:32
5
RICHARD HO            
10
LELAND
15:35
6
ETHAN SCARDINA          

CARLMONT
15:35
7
TONY FERRARI         
12
BELLARMINE
15:41
8
AUBREY MYJER         
11
MOUNTAIN VIEW    
15:43
9
KYLE FEUERHELM       
12
WOODSIDE
15:44
10
BEN BUNK             
12
CARLMONT
15:50
11
JAMES PALANIUK       
12
THE YORK SCHOOL  
15:54
12
PETER ANTHONY        
11
CUPERTINO
15:54

JAMES SILVESTRI      
12
STEVENSON
15:54


   







Top 12 returning Boys from STATE Championship
1
Parker Schuh            
12
Mountain View       
15:44.5
2
Kyle Rae                
12
Bellarmine
15:47.1
3
Will Gieken             
12
Los Gatos           
15:53.0
4
Max Bell                
12
Salinas
16:04.6
5
Aubrey Myjer            
11
Mountain View       
16:09.3
6
Richard Ho              
10
Leland
16:10.1
7
Donald Plazola          
12
Willow Glen         
16:13.5
8
Kyle Feuerhelm           
12
Woodside
16:13.5
9
Tony Ferrari            
12
Bellarmine
16:16.0
10
Ciaran Murphy
10
Saint Ignatius
16:21.1
11
Chet Reyen
12
Carlmont
16:23.6
12
Jack Bordoni
11
Bellarmine
16:26.3







Top 12 returning Girls from CCS Championship
1
JESSIE PETERSEN      
12
CARLMONT
17:28
2
ALLISON STURGES      
11
MOUNTAIN VIEW    
18:00
3
NINA ANDERSON        
11
NOTRE DAME SAL   
18:16
4
ERIN ROBINSON        
12
GUNN
18:19
5
LAUREN CROSHAW       
11
ARAGON
18:19
6
ATHENA ALARCON       
11
GILROY
18:20
7
MEGAN SHEARER        
11
CARLMONT
18:31
8
KATIE CASTRO         
12
LOS GATOS        
18:37
9
MORGAN HEALY         
11
ST. FRANCIS MV   
18:38
10
VANESSA FRASER        
10
SCOTTS VALLEY    
18:41
11
KIERAN GALLAGHER     
11
GUNN
18:45
12
DANIELLE KATZ         
10
LOS GATOS        
18:45







Top 12 returning Girls from STATE Championship
1
Rachel Hinds         
12
St. Ignatius     
18:14
2
Jessie Petersen      
12
Carlmont
18:19
3
Allison Sturges      
11
Mountain View     
18:28
4
Nina Anderson        
11
Notre Dame Sal   
18:30
5
Vanessa Fraser       
10
Scotts Valley    
18:37
6
Erin Robinson        
12
Gunn
18:38
7
Lauren Croshaw       
11
Aragon
18:41
8
Morgan Lira          
11
Valley Christi   
18:51
9
Athena Alarcon       
11
Gilroy
18:52
10
Megan Shearer        
11
Carlmont
18:55
11
Nikki Hiltz          
10
Aptos
19:08
12
Katie Castro         
12
Los Gatos        
19:09







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