Jackie Henderson Memorial Meet Preview

Thanks to Coach Gustavo Ibarra. You can find a detailed meet preview as well as all-time records for the 7th annual event.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GnU4JdC4RDqB_Q3a9q05t2K9xQdc2Hgv7dBCots8OkA/edit?usp=sharing

Stinson Beach Relays report

You can check out an article about that race in the MarinIJ at this LINK.

Participating teams were Archie Williams, Redwood, Branson, San Rafael, San Marin San Domenico, Marin Academy, Terra Linda, and Tamalpais.

West Coast XC NorCal preview of the top teams and individuals

 My interview with Ken Martinez of West Coast XC highlighting the top teams and individuals in Northern California, as well as the top girls teams and individuals in the Central Section. If I missed anybody that should have been included, please mention them in the comment section below.

CIF 2026 Forecast

 The following links were forwarded to me by the -XCTF Stats Team. Check them out and feel free to comment below. Never too early to project to the state meet races.

BOYS
Write up here: https://xctfstats.substack.com/p/the-cif-2026-boys-forecast
Forecast Interactive Dashboard here: https://cif26-boys.pages.dev/

GIRLS
https://xctfstats.substack.com/p/a-preseason-forecast-for-the-california

Who Has Surprised You So Far in the 2026 XC Season?

Now that we have had a small sample of races, who have been the standout performances so far (individuals and teams)? You can check out the results in the post below.
• A team that looks better than expected?

• A boy who has made a big jump?

• A girl who has made a big jump?

• A freshman who has caught people's attention?

• A team or individual that is flying under the radar?
• Most improved team from last year so far?
• Any other observations.

Coming up this week...

Wednesday, August 26-9th Annual Bob Shor Invitational at Spring Lake Park RESULTS PHOTOS
Thursday, August 27-Brian Rogers/Peninsula Jamboree at York School Course RESULTS
Thursday, August 27-South County Jamboree at San Lorenzo County Park RESULTS
Friday, August 28-Sonoma Twilight 3200 Time Trials at Maria Carrillo HS RESULTS
Friday, August 28-Serra XC Jamboree at Bob Rush Crystal Springs Course RESULTS

Saturday, August 29-Acalanes Invitational at Acalanes HS RESULTS
Freshman Eli Hernandez wins Varsity 2 mile race leading Granada to the team victory. For the girls, Elise Bayan-Ruiz, Granada sophomore, was the individual winner leading her team to the varsity team sweep.

Saturday, August 29-Hayward Scrimmage at Hayward HS LIVE RESULTS
Dublin varsity boys sweep the top 8 spots. Livermore's Jasmine Moniz wins varsity girls' race.

Saturday, August 29-Oakmont Invitational at Johnson Springview Park (65 teams) RESULTS
Galena boys edge Jesuit boys led by individual winner David Coisson at 11:36.65 (new course record). For the girls, St. Francis sophomore Alyssa Gutierrez won in 13:13.76, leading the Troubadours to the team victory.

Saturday, August 29-Thunder 2-miler at Buhach Colony HS

Saturday, August 29-Fighting Knights Joust at Bob Rush Crystal Springs Course LIVE RESULTS
Leigh senior Gelila Hailu won girls' senior race in 17:57.1 (fastest time of the day). Fastest time of the day for the boys belonged to Evergreen Valley junior, Johann Coss at 15:32.1. For the 2.13 mile course, the fastest time of the day for girls belonged to Carlmont sophomore, Isabella Schuett (13:26.8). For the boys, Woodside sophomore Calvin Peterson ran 11:11.3. In the freshman boys' race, Woodside Priory's Desmond Prindiville ran 11:13.5. For the girls, Carlmont's Camille Lacher was the winner at 13:32.2.

On Tap for the Day (A closer look at NCS)

5 NCS Runners Worth Watching Closely This Fall

BOYS
1. Clark Gregory 12 Campolindo Division III
2. Djali De Chalus 12 St. Mary's College Division IV
3. Caden Ehrhorn 11 Campolindo Division III
4. Ethan Kraska 12 University Division V
5. Rohan Kotamraju 11 Monte Vista Division II
Also mentioned: Ben Friedland 12 University, Alex van Veen 11 Granada.

GIRLS
1. Farah Allen 12 Branson Division V
2. Nadya Makarova 11 Monte Vista II
3. Sade Bumpus 12 Granada Division II
4. Josie Hill 12 Sonoma Academy Division V
5. Kaylie O'Connell 11 Monte Vista Division II

Now it's your turn. Feel free to answer the following questions in the comment section below. I will start adding individuals and teams as comments are posted.

The 2026 NCS Cross Country Season: 10 Questions We Need Answered

1. Who will emerge as the top boys' individual? Girls' individual?
2. Can last year's strongest teams repeat?
3. Which girls' team has improved the most?
4. Which sophomore will break through?
5. Which freshman could make an immediate impact?
6. Who will be the biggest riser from 2025?
7. Which team has the best 1–5 depth?
8. Who will surprise at Crystal Springs?
9. Who will contend for a state-meet spot?
10. What will be the biggest storyline of the season?

Who are the Runners you didn't know about last year who could be big in 2026?

Early NCS Team Rankings — But With a Twist.
Best front runner (boys and girls)?
Best 1–5 (boys and girls)?
Most improved (boys and girls)?
Best young team (boys and girls)?
Biggest sleeper (boys and girls)?
Teams I'm most curious to see race?

Ask Cross Country Express: What Do You Want Me to Cover This Season?
Teams to watch?
Historical questions?
Training questions?
Course questions?
CCS records you're curious about?
Interviews you'd like to see?

Sac-Joaquin Section Divisions posted

You can find the SJS Divisions for 2026 at this LINK. At first glance, it doesn't look like there is any major changes but I could be wrong. If a notable team moved divisions, please share below in the comment section.

Thanks to the South SJS Distance/Stanislaus County Distance Blog which you can find at this LINK, here are the notable changes for the SJS.

1. SIERRA HS--gained about 70 kids and moves from D3 to D2
2. BUHACH COLONY HS--lost about 35 students and goes from D2 to D3.
3. SUMMERVILLE HS--gained about 180 individuals and jumps from D5 to D4. 

On tap for today (A closer look at CCS)

5 CCS Runners Worth Watching Closely This Fall

BOYS
1. Evan Chopra 12 Menlo Atherton Division I
2. Deven Koppola 12 Mountain View Division I
3. Conrad Chern 12 Crystal Springs Uplands Division V
4. Henry Hauser 12 Menlo School Division IV
5. Liam Tassa 10 Mountain View Division I

GIRLS
1. Brooke Oliveira 12 Castilleja Division V
2. Gelila Hailu 12 Leigh Division II
3. Hannah Shehorn 12 Scotts Valley Division V
4. Ada Bielinska 12 Mountain View Division I
5. Brinley Pickett 11 St. Francis, MV Division II

Now it's your turn. Feel free to answer the following questions in the comment section below. I will start adding individuals and teams as comments are posted.

The 2026 CCS Cross Country Season: 10 Questions We Need Answered

1. Who will emerge as the top boys' individual? Girls' individual?
2. Can last year's strongest teams repeat?
3. Which girls' team has improved the most?
4. Which sophomore will break through?
5. Which freshman could make an immediate impact?
6. Who will be the biggest riser from 2025?
7. Which team has the best 1–5 depth?
8. Who will surprise at Crystal Springs?
9. Who will contend for a state-meet spot?
10. What will be the biggest storyline of the season?

Who are the Runners you didn't know about last year who could be big in 2026?

Early CCS Team Rankings — But With a Twist.
Best front runner (boys and girls)?
Best 1–5 (boys and girls)?
Most improved (boys and girls)?
Best young team (boys and girls)?
Biggest sleeper (boys and girls)?
Teams I'm most curious to see race?

Ask Cross Country Express: What Do You Want Me to Cover This Season?
Teams to watch?
Historical questions?
Training questions?
Course questions?
CCS records you're curious about?
Interviews you'd like to see?

9th Annual Bob Shor Invitational Live Results

https://diablotiming.com/results/2026-08-26/ 

Spring Lake 2.1-mile course
The varsity girls' winner was Cardinal Newman senior Ashlin Mallon in 12:50.0. She finished 6th at the 2025 CIF State Division V race.
The varsity boys' winner was Healdsburg junior Lucas Welty, with a time of 10:35.1. He finished 11th at the 2025 CIF State Division V race. Photo to the left from last year's NBL final, thanks to Michael Lucid.