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.
