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Check out this video compilation of some fantastic finishes. If this doesn't inspire you...

XC Boys' State Podium Teams

Looking at the boys' list, the top 3 teams have combined for 23 state championships. While McFarland and Nordhoff continue onward without the architects of those dominant programs (Jim White and Ken Reeves respectively), Jesuit's run of titles seems to have no end. Going into this year, the Jesuit boys enter the season as the favorites for the state Division II championship. Based on their past history, it's hard to count them out in their quest to tie McFarland's 9 state titles.

While San Lorenzo Valley seems to be the most consistent team for the girls this decade with 3 titles and 2 second place finishes, it appears that several boys' teams are in the midst of their own dynasties. Joining Jesuit and Barstow with their 3 titles this decade, Royal appears to be a team destined for more success with 2 titles and 2 second place finishes in the past five years. Flintridge Prep's run of plaques could be the state's biggest WHOA! as the Rebels have collected a plaque for 9 consecutuve seasons (1997-2005).

You can find a complete list of all the boys' podium teams here. Please keep in mind that Division IV was added to the State Meet in 1990 and Division V was added in 1996. The opportunity for plaques definitely increased for many teams with the additional divisions.

Heres the breakdown of plaques.
The team that has won the most plaques is:
McFarland with 11 plaques.

The team that has won the most 1st place plaques is:
McFarland with 9 plaques.

The team that has won the most plaques without winning a state title is:
Morro Bay with 6 plaques.
How close was Morro Bay to winning a state title?
1993-Division IV 1) McFarland 61 2) Morro Bay 63
1994-Division IV 1) McFarland 62 2) Morro Bay 62
1995-Division IV 1) Nordhoff 40 2) Morro Bay 103

The team that has won the most 2nd place plaques is:
Flintridge Prep with 4 plaques.

The team that has won the most 3rd place plaques is:
San Francisco University with 4 plaques.

The team that has won the Los Angeles Section's lone plaque is:
Belmont with a 3rd place finish in Division I during the 1997 season.

The team that had the longest span of time between it's 1st and last plaque:
Jesuit with 17 years (1988-2005)

The team that has won the most plaques (boys and girls combined):
Nordhoff with 19 plaques!!! (10 for the boys and 9 for the girls)

The following is a section breakdown for teams that have won at least 1 plaque:
(1) Southern Section-62
(2) Central Coast Section-12
(3) San Diego Section-11
(4) North Coast Section-9
(4) San Joaquin Section-5
(6) Central Section-4
(7) Northern Section-3
(8)Los Angeles City Section-1
Oakland Section-0
San Francisco Section-0

I open to ideas for my next post. If you spot any errors or have any ideas, please let me know.

XC Girls' State Podium Teams

Each year, the CIF publishes a list of all the past XC Team and Individual Champions in their meet program. It's an impressive list that includes many of the powerhouse teams that have succeeded through the years at Woodward Park. The question is do you have to win a state championship to consider your season a success? I know many teams who have walked away from the state meet proud as can be for winning a 2nd or 3rd place plaque and many others who's season was a success for qualifying to the state meet. So to give a fuller picture of success at the state meet, I compiled a list, starting with the girls, of all the state podium teams dating back to the inception year of 1987.

What girl's team has won the most plaques? What team has won the most plaques without winning a state championship? Who has won the most 2nd place plaques? 3rd place plaques? What section has done the best?...as if I have to ask. Yes, the Southern Section has had the most teams on the podium so what section is 2nd?

To help answer those questions and more, you can find a complete list of all the podium teams here. Please keep in mind that Division IV was added to the State Meet in 1990 and Division V was added in 1996. The opportunity for plaques definitely increased for many teams with the additional divisions.

If you are too impatient to look at that list, keep reading for the answers.

The team that has won the most plaques is:
San Francisco University with 10 plaques.

The team that has won the most plaques without winning a state title is:
Dana Hills with 5 plaques.

Two teams tied for most 2nd place plaques and those two teams are:
San Francisco University and Woodbridge with 4 plaques.

The team that has won the most 3rd place plaques is:
Dana Hills with 4 plaques.

Two teams had the longest span of time between their 1st and last plaque:
Corona del Mar with 16 years (1989-2005)
San Francisco University with 16 years (1987-2003)

The following is a section breakdown for teams that have won at least 1 plaque:
(1) Southern Section-54
(2) North Coast Section-13
(3) San Diego Section-8
(4) Central Coast Section-6
(4) Northern Section-6
(6) Central Section-5
(7) San Joaquin Section-4
Los Angeles City Section-0
Oakland Section-0
San Francisco Section-0

Qualifying to the state meet is difficult. Walking away with a plaque (no matter the place) is quite an accomplishment.

I will post the boys' results tomorrow. If you spot any errors, please let me know.