Top Boys/Girls Cross Country Teams By Section Entering The Fall Season

Boys
https://sportstarsmag.com/2024/08/top-boys-cross-country-teams-in-california-entering-this-season?amp=1

Girls
https://sportstarsmag.com/2024/08/top-girls-cross-country-teams-in-california-entering-this-season?amp=1

USF Invitational results

https://www.rtspt.com/events/usf/xc24/ (some familiar names competed at this meet at Golden Gate Park)

Pacific 10 Cross Country Championships 1986

5th Annual Jackie Henderson Memorial Meet Preview by Coach Gustavo Ibarra

You can check out the preview at this LINK.

Pre-Season SJS Boys' Rankings by Mike Carroll

Rankings were based on the number of cross-country Top-5 returners, how well teams did in the 4x800 at the SJS Track & Field Masters meet, number of sub 4:30 1600/sub 9:55 3200 returners, and, like the case with Jesuit last year, the strength of the incoming freshman class.

The divisions have just been posted and can be found at this LINK.

1. Jesuit (D2)
Returning 3 from top 5.
Hoferer Jr (4:12/9:19), Ogilvie So (4:17,9:15), Alberts So (4:20), Kadel Sr (4:20), Abbott Jr (4:22,9:11), Jakary Jr (4:29), Jopson So (9:46)
Jesuit returns a young team of mostly juniors/sophomores that won the D2 title last year and podiumed at state. They are still the favorites regardless of what division the section decides. It looks D2 unless competitive equity rules apply, based on their success in the last four years.

2. Vacaville (D2)
Returning 4 from top 5.
J Stream Sr (4:18,9:23), Hundley So (4:29,9:31), Gonzalez Sr (4:29, 9:41), C Stream So (4:18,9:42), D'anjou Jr (4:24)
Vacaville always fields a scary-looking team as they were competitive against Jesuit on their home course at Lagoon Valley. Finishing 3rd behind Whitney and Jesuit at Division 2 Section finals, they claimed a top 10 finish at State. Jackson Stream is a returning D2 champion and will lead four other returning scorers as they look to improve upon their State placing last year. They could put four runners under 16 minutes at Woodward park this year.

3. McClatchy (D1)
Returning all from top 5.
Johnson Sr (4:25), Anderson Sr (4:27,9:38)
McClatchy emerges as the strongest returning D1 team. Last fall, the D1 section was arguably the easiest in the last few years to qualify for state, with Jesuit's departure to D2 and D1 being awarded a 3rd state meet berth. McClatchy did not make it but the Track season displayed their true potential with Heyer and Anderson individually qualifying for SJS Masters. They will join Jonas Johnson who was injured. This threesome could help McClatchy secure a section title.

4. Oakdale (D3)
Returning 2 from top 5.
Dominguez Sr (4:20,9:40), Whitemeyer Jr (9:36), Cavanaugh Sr (9:52)
Oakdale is led by top returner Ismael Dominguez who ran 15:37 at State XC championships where they finished 2nd place, behind Dana Hills and Evan Noonan. They have won the last 3 SJS Division 3 titles, so it is possible they could move up a division when the Section releases which schools are in which division.

5. Oak Ridge (D1)
Returning 3 from top 5.
Ewing So (4:27,9:50), Clinchard Sr (4:27)
Oak Ridge lost 3 of 5 seniors from a team that went to state championships for the first time in 10 years. With three State berths awarded to D1 this year, the SFL teams will probably nab two D1 spots. Which two is yet to be determined as those teams will compete against each other all year. Oak Ridge does expect a deep incoming freshman class to complement the returning runners who made it to the Track section finals last year.

6. Davis (D1)
Returning 1 from top 5.
Fox Jr (4:27,9:45), Duquette So (4:27,9:33), Mysliwiec Sr (9:39), Green Sr (9:51)
Davis's streak of making it to state champs has to be attributable to good coaching and while they lose four scoring seniors who finished 1,3,5 at Willow Hills last year, they always show up at Section finals. The only advantage other teams might have this year is they will see Davis earlier in the season, as many of the contenders for the D1 state berths are in the new SFL uber-league.

7. Turlock (D1)
Returning 3 from top 5.
Santos Sr (4:27), Wejmar Jr (9:54) 
Turlock was the surprise 3rd team from D1 to make it to state champs last year, as Coach Ebersole's team looked strongest when it mattered. They return their top 2 runners from last year, Logan Petty and Theodore Santos, but to repeat as state qualifiers they need to reduce that 1-5 time gap.

8. Pleasant Grove (D1)
Returning 4 from top 5.
Tumlinson Jr (4:21), Almog Sr (9:49)
Pleasant Grove was poised to challenge for a D1 state championships berth last year but their top runner had an off-day and the team finished 7th. They did have an individual state qualifier, Ryan Almog, and also returned three others from last year's team. The boys' team has quietly been improving every year, and this year they might have the depth to overcome a bad day from any of their runners.

9. Bella Vista (D2)
Returning 2 from top 5.
Fear So (4:23,9:46)
Last year, Bella Vista just missed out on a D2 state berth by one spot, but this year, SJS Division 2 has four state berths. Bella Vista is led by Calvin Fear, who had a brilliant track season last year. They are well-coached and might be the wildcard pick to make it interesting at the Section Finals.

10. Ponderosa (D3)
Returning 3 from top 5.
Nelson Sr (4:25,9:22)
Even with Josh Chu and Hayden Brooks graduating, Ponderosa is still one of the top D3 teams, and they are led by Kaden Nelson, who went sub 16:00 at the State XC championships last year. They moved to the Capital Valley Conference, arguably the 2nd deepest league in the section behind the SFL. 

On the Bubble
Folsom (D1)
Returning 4 from Top 5.
Folsom has a deep roster and lots of potential but who underperformed last season. They need two or three individuals to step up in the new SFL, where the competition could create the necessary experience for Folsom to grab a D1 state XC berth..

Granite Bay (D2)
Returning all top 5.
Beater Sr (4:27,9:48)
Granite Bay returns a full squad from last season, including their state XC individual qualifier from last year, Robert Ward, who missed Track season. With Jesuit and Vacaville looking to take the top 2 D2 spots, Granite Bay is among 3 or 4 other teams with a decent chance to secure one of the other 2 D2 spots.

Woodcreek (D2)
Returning all from top 5
Winston Sr (4:21/9:41)
Woodcreek returns a full squad of seniors, led by David Winston. They will be competing against Bella Vista and Ponderosa in the CVC, and they might even contend for a D2 state championship in undeniably the deepest division in the section. 

2024 Cross Country Invitational Schedule

August 29 Monte Vista Christian Invitational at Monte Vista Christian School
August 31 Oakmont Invitational at Johnson Springview Park
August 31 Lagoon Valley Classic at Lagoon Valley Park

September 4 Stinson Beach Relays (MCAL Opener) at Stinson Beach
September 6 Little Ed Practice Meet at Hidden Valley Park
September 6 Bill Springhorn Classic at Shasta College
September 6 Bob Shor Invitational 
September 7 Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park
September 7 5th Annal Jackie Henderson Invitational at North Monterey County HS
September 10 Jim Tracy Challenge at Golden Gate Park
September 13 Baylands Invitational at Baylands Park
September 14 Fighting Knights Joust Invitational at Hallmark Park
September 14 Ed Sias Invitational at Hidden Valley Park
September 14 Viking Opener at Spring Lake Park
September 20/21 Woodbridge Invitational at Orange County Great Park
September 21 Tom Leikam XC Invitational at Pinto Lake Park
September 21 Farmer Invitational at Hayward HS
September 21 De La Salle Invitational at Newhall Park
September 28 Ram Invitational at Westmoor HS
September 28 Eye Opener Invitational at Shollenberger Park
September 28 Be The G.O.A.T. Invitational at Pinole Multi-Use Trails
September 28 Scott Bauhs Invitational at Shadow Cliffs
September 30 Truckee Invitational at Ponderosa Golf Course
Stanford Invitational RIP (1974-2018)

October 2 Mid-Season Mania 1600 Invitational at Campolindo HS
October 5 Tom Laythe Invitational at Willow Hills
October 5 Artichoke Invitational at Half Moon Bay HS
October 5 Pacific Grove Palo Corona Invitational at Palo Corona
October 5 Amanda Garcia Memorial Invitational at Atwater HS
October 11/12 Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park
October 12 Crystal Springs Invitational at Hallmark Park
October 18 Rough Rider Invitational at Woodward Park
October 19 Hughson Supercross Invitational at Hughson HS
October 19 Terry Ward Invitational at Baylands Park
October 19 Mariner Invitational at Hayward HS
October 23 Mid-Season Mania 3200 Invitational at Campolindo HS
October 25/26 Mt. SAC at Mt. SAC College
October 26 Flat SAC Invitational at Gibson Ranch Regional Park
October 29 Palo Alto City Meet
October 31 Lynbrook Invite/FUHSD Champs

November 9 SJS Sub-Section Meet at Frogtown (Angels Camp)
November Northern Section Final at West Valley HS
November 16 CCS Meet at Hallmark Park
November 16 SJS Championship at Willow Hills Reservoir 
November SFS All-City Finals at Golden Gate Park
November OAK Finals at Lake Chabot Golf Course
November 23 NCS MOC at Hayward HS
November 30 California State Meet at Woodward Park

December 7 Foot Locker West Regional at Mt. SAC
December 7 Nike Cross Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Course, Oregon
December 14 Foot Locker Championships at Balboa Park

More will be added but please feel free to add dates of meets that you have confirmed in the comment section below.

Coaches Wanted: Mountain View

Mountain View High School (CCS) is looking for an assistant cross country coach for the 2024 season. Stipend available ($5880). Please email Jonathan Hubbs (coachhubbs@gmail.com) if you are interested or have any questions. 

2024 CIF team entries from each section now posted

Here are the changes for the northern sections.

CCS

Girls: Division I +1, Division II +1, Division V +1

Boys: Division V +1

NCS

Girls: Division I +1
Boys: Division IV +1
SJS
Girls: Division I +1, Division IV +1

Boys: Division II +1

Stanford FASTR nutrition team talk, Wed. Aug 14

Wed. Aug 14 - Stanford FASTR session on HS girl runners' health

This Wed. Aug 14 at 5:30-6:30pm is a free Zoom session by Stanford's FASTR program on high school girls runners' health, including nutrition, bone health, iron, and other key topics.

The session is for HS girl runners, their parents and coaches. More info on the session is below and registration is available here.

American Cole Hocker pulls off a STUNNER in men's 1500m Olympic final | ...

Crystal Springs course cleanup on Saturday, August 10th

From Serra coach Jim Marheineke

Attached is the Google Form and Flyer for our Crystal Springs Clean Up day on Saturday, August 10 from 8:00-1:00.  

We can move it back to 8:30 if teams want to get a workout in first, prior to working on the course.

PLEASE spread the word!

Thanks,

Google Form Sign Up

Clean Up Day Flyer