Now that track is officially over, we can get the conversation started about cross country. From this past Saturday to the California state XC meet? 25 weeks! During the summer, I will be posting pre-season rankings for the upcoming season. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts. Who will be the best teams in California? Who will be the best NorCal teams? Who are the best individuals? Who will be most improved? Who are the hot shot incoming 9th graders? Who are the potential podium teams/individuals from NorCal? Go!
19 comments:
I think Johain ounadjela of carlmont will be the most imporoved.
I'll through this one out there:
Riley Bowen will be a freshman at Sonoma Academy (sorry to not have her at Maria Carillo) will podium in D5 State XC, if not win outright.
Also, in NCS, it will be interesting to see how re-shuffling of schools between divisions in the NCS due to enrollment changes, AND the loss of a D2 qualifier spot will play out
Imma go off this year
D2 qualifier spot is only for the girls, yes?
Entries for next year.
http://www.cifstate.org/images/Cross_Country/2014_XC_Team_Entries.pdf
For this coming season, NCS gained a spot in boys Division III, girls Division IV and V and lost a spot in girls Division II.
Scott's valley boys will podium, if not win state
Sonoma Academy will also have top Div. V runners Alyssa Goody and Lilly Reinstein. If they can find 2 other good runners, they could contend for Div. V Girls Team Championship.
Gotta believe the Davis girls team will be in the mix. I think they only lose one runner to graduation from the team that placed second in state.
CCS Girls League Team Winners:
MBL- San Benito
MTAL- Santa Catalina
PAL- Menlo Atherton
SCCAL-Aptos
SCVAL-Monta Vista
WBAL- Menlo
WCAL- Mitty
Boys tomorrow.
St francis (girls) wins wcal bc they return all 5 scorers. Not mitty
Nor Cal considerations for the top individual will not be complete without a mention of Mr. Powless from Roseville High in the SJS. Powless will be back from his European Bike racing (US Jr. World Team in Mountain and Road Biking). Powless has been overlooked fro the past three years as he does not compete in track, opting to represent the US. However, as this is his senior year, and her returns to compete in XC in the fall, I believe that he should be well "in the hunt" for making the top 7 all-Nor-Cal team.
Seems like it won't be long before every BCL West girls team makes it to state in division V. Heck, they might all finish in the top 10.
Is St. Francis getting more super star freshman?
Not to be a jerk but they don't have a great history after the first year or two with girls. SI always gets a few freshman in the 17-18s. They are probably the favorite.
Have to agree with 8:03 re St. Francis. The girls cross country runners don't seem to be developing during track season while both Mitty and SI distance girls were putting in consistent performances. If St. Francis can get the distance girls training all year, they will continue to challenge for both WCAL and CCS Div II.
I think the WCAL for girls will be very competitive this year as it usually is each year. St. Francis and Mitty both return strong squads that will make the team battle interesting. SI always finds a way to keep themselves in the title hunt and I expect nothing less this upcoming season.
I wish all the teams the best of luck and I look forward to another great season in the WCAL and CCS.
BTW, CCS D2 girls should be a crazy competitive race too. St. Francis, Mitty, Los Altos, Los Gatos, St. Ignatius, Mountain View, et al in one division.
Like I said, Rilee Bowen will be someone to watch. She just took 6th in the mile at the New Balance National HS Championship (and she just finished the 8th grade).
6 Bowen, Rylee class of 2018 Santa Rosa, CA 4:58.57
1:13.285 (1:13.285) 2:29.103 (1:15.818) 3:45.604 (1:16.501)
4:39.256 (53.653) 4:58.563 (19.308)
Another guy to watch from up here would be Brian Schulz. He just finished his Frosh year at El Molino (NCS D4) with a 9:27.44 3200m to his credit. He was 5th at NCS XC as a frosh, with 3 graduating seniors ahead of him. His was the fastest ever Frosh time from the Redwood Empire, which has produced sub-9:00 3200m HS runners Luis Luna and Reesey Byers. Brian has some genes - his dad, Hal was a 2:13 marathoner.
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