Thursday, September 12, 2019

SJS Divisions now posted

https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/9/3/vojjjibtmu4fxf/xc_divisions_1920.pdf

The teams that moved divisions are:
Inderkum, Woodcreek, Rocklin, Lodi, Pitman, West, Laguna Creek, Vista del Lago, Cordova, Mira Loma, Atwater, Antelope, Yuba City, Johansen, Mountain House, Placer, Woodland, Lathrop, San Juan, Western Sierra and Colfax.

The Vista del Lago girls were 2018 California state champs so that is a pretty significant change.

13 comments:

Dan T said...

Interesting that Jesuit is D1 when it has lower enrollment (2,124) than 3 of the D2 schools, even after they double it due to it being an all boys school. As has been well discussed, the enrollment gap with Southern Section (in particular schools just gets bigger). They would be one of the smaller D2 schools in the Southern Section. It isn't as egregious as what has happened to McFarland and the "competitive balance" ruling that keeps them competing against much larger schools within their section, reducing the possibility of them making it to Woodward Park or having much of a chance at victory should they make it there.

Southern Section
Great Oak (D1): 3.167
Long Beach Poly (D1) - 4,024
Dana Hills (D2) - 2,371
Newbury Park (D2) - 2,479

Albert Caruana said...

There is no question that there is a great disparity between the teams that compete in many of the Northern California sections and the Southern Section. A few years ago, the North Coast Section adjusted their divisions to better reflect the numbers in the SS. Unless each section takes the step that NCS did or there is a statewide adjustment, we are going to continue to have the same disparity at the state meet.

Albert Caruana said...

And totally agree about McFarland. The Central Section has managed to take their most publicized cross country program and turn them into just another team now that they have been in Division I. Imagine the uproar in any other section if a school with 900 students was placed in Division I.

Anonymous said...

Jesuit's D1 status reason is actually listed on the page. They are returning section champs. They do the same for football, etc. Now it doesn't seem fair because of their issues with depth this year (4-7th runners). But like Jesuit I think they will re-exert their dominance. Should be a good D1 league/section final against Davis boys.

Another big change was Vista Del Lago (last year's state champs) moving up to D2. That division is absolutely stacked for both boys and girls. My guess is Whitney, Oakmont, Vacaville take the 3 spots for boys and St Francis, Rio Americano, Vista Del Lago take the 3 spots for girls. (This is also based on missing runners for some teams so far this year)

This weekend's Josh Ruff invitational on the Section final's course should figure out the top 3 contenders, if everyone is healthy.

Dan T said...

To be clear, my comment about the section's divisional classifications has to do with what happens at state. The section level isn't the issue, but rather when they get to state and compete against teams that have significantly larger enrollments. Within the section, it will be interesting to see how things pan out, at Oakmont Jesuit was without two of their top 5 and three of their top 5 at Lagoon Valley. When they are full strength (no official trips, etc.), I think they are going to open some eyes. Davis was impressive at Lagoon Valley, 4-7 runners are 3 sophomores and a freshman. Amador Valley was in the lead through 4 runners, but a big gap to number 5.

St. Francis is stacked on the girl's side. A big 1-2 punch and some serious depth. I think they are slow playing some of their new talent, wouldn't be surprised to see a freshman or two break in to the top 7.

I am wondering when someone will get the idea to make a lightning fast 3 mile course in Northern California for the sake of competing with times that So Cal runners are going to put up at Woodbridge in a couple of weeks. Historically some of our fastest teams/runners have gone down there and done well, but I always find it misleading when every single top 20 boys and girls time comes from the same meet. Grijalva went down there and won and Fauria had an excellent race , but most of the NorCal teams never run on a fast three mile course. Willow Hills is brutal, but the type of test I would love to see for a state championship.

Unknown said...

I’ve thought this too, about fast 3M and 5K courses up here. Lowell was fast but not full 3M. It also drew some competition up here from SS. It would be great to not have to travel to Woodbridge each year to get baseline for NorCal teams. In the end, though, doesn’t it all come down to Woodward 5K in CA? That’s one leveling factor.

Albert Caruana said...

No question that this is a state meet issue. If you look at all the section finals, they are all fair and competitive. The issue arises at the state meet as the smaller schools from many sections go up against much larger SS schools. I understand that only 7 runners get to run for each school but the starting base for schools makes a huge difference. Bigger schools=faster times.

Anonymous said...

Capital Cross is a pretty fast course and might be an option for a 3 mile course. They could run it as a 5k and have 3 mile split time.

Anonymous said...

Capitol Cross is a fast course. They haven't competed on it long enough to get any sub-15/sub-17 5k's but someone could do it this year.

Also, HS are combined with college races, and NCAA champs are there this year, so probably a bigger show.

Anonymous said...

I've been to Capital Cross since the first meet and have been to Woodbridge, Capital Cross is a harder course, lots of rollers and softer running surface, more comparable to the (late great) Stanford Invitational and traditional college XC circuits. The Capital Cross course will be home of the NCAA D2 Championships this year, so it is getting bigger and bigger. We've had discussions on which are the hardest high school XC courses in Northern California, what are the fastest ones? We can take Willow Hills, Lagoon Valley and Frog Town out of the mix as those are brutal.

Albert Caruana said...

The Pacific Tiger Invitational course is a super flat 5k course. Very fast!

Anonymous said...

Atwater also moved down to D3. Pacific Tiger is a fast course, but not as big as Woodbridge.

Albert Caruana said...

There is nothing like Woodbridge in California and possibly in the entire United States. You have night meet with a super flat 3 mile course with awesome competition.

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