Boys Division 1
If you want drama heading into the race for the Division 1 crown you've got it! Saucony #3 Arcadia boys have weathered quite a few storms and look very good entering the state race. They come off of a 2012 season which saw them win a national title in the mud of Portland Meadows and the loss of their long-time head coach this summer. But they are here and they are certainly ready to race with Estevan De La Rosa and Phillip Rocha both unafraid to lead the squad.
It won't be a gimme though, with Saucony #9 Madera South in the race. Madera South won their sectional with ease over Clovis North and have a very solid top-3 in Eduardo Herrera, Miguel Villar and David Garcia. Also throwing their hat in the ring are the boys of Warren, who took down the three-time defending champs in the Southern Section Finals with a stunning #2 All-Time 75:31 clocking. They came out on top of Arcadia 69 to 77. A few other teams that could stick their nose in the fight include Loyola, De La Salle, and Dana Hills.
Individually you have Tal Braude (Torrey Pines) and Blake Haney (Stockdale) who look the best right now. Jake Ogden (Dana Hills) won the Southern Section finals and will be riding that momentum into states as well. But Arcadia will be guns blazing, therefore Estevan De La Rosa and Phillip Rocha could be right up there in the mix as well. Other athletes who could really make a statement include Blair Hurlock (De La Salle), Steve Correa (San Pedro), Robert Brandt (Loyola), and Ben Gonzalez (Warren).
Boys Division 2
The team race here could go to any one of the top-6 teams, but there are two teams battling near the front. Saugus and Westlake both have talented squads and are accustomed to winning so expect both teams to put up quite the fight. If either squad falters though Dos Pueblos, Simi Valley, Canyon, or Mcfarland will be right there to pick up the pieces. Dos Pueblos does appear to have some momentum as they finished 2nd to Saugus in the Southern Section Finals.
Individually, Garrett Corcoran (Villa Park) and Steven Fahy (La Costa Canyon) look to battle for the title as they have been running very strong all year and are the class of Division 2. But that doesn't mean the others should be left out of the discussion. Hector Hernandez (Canyon Springs), Jeff Kirwin (Glendora), and Mikey Giguere (Westlake) should all be in the mix as well.
Boys Division 3
Brea Olinda has turned head all fall and looks to be getting stronger as the season progresses. They won the Southern Section finals in impressive fashion over Jurupa Hills 77 to 86. Palos Verdes could also stick their nose in this one as well.
Individually Austin Tamagno, the fearless leader of Brea Olinda, has been tearing it up all year and ran the fastest soph time ever at Mt. SAC. He will be challenged though, as David Luna (Indio) has beaten him the last two outings at the Southern Section Prelims and Finals. Sydney Gidabuday (El Morena) should also be in the mix and Michael Teran will be leading the charge as the head of Jurupa Hills. Fred Huxham (Redwood) could also be in the mix as he has raced well late in the season.
Boys Division 4
Yreka is the top D4 team in California and dominated their Northern Section Finals race to bring lots of momentum into the state meet. Salesian could challenge them for the title, but only finished 5th in the Southern Section finals. Laguna Beach, Harvard Westlake, and JSerra Catholic all finished very close together ahead of Salesian.
Individually, Caleb Webb (Big Bear), Tomas Navarro (Salesian), and Kyle Fredrickson (Oaks Christian) could all make for a great battle for the top places in Fresno. Emery Caster (Xavier Prep), Alexis Torres (Kingsburg), and Bannon Greer (Valley Center) could surprise as well.
Boys Division 5
St. Joe Notre Dame is the best D5 team in the state, with a dominating win at the North Coast Finals. Their performance was made even more impressive by being the best team overall regardless of Division, and that was with D1 power De La Salle in their section. They could have some competition from Flintridge Prep, who are fresh off their D5 win in the Southern Section Finals.
On the individual side Alan Yoho (Flintridge Prep) looks to be the favorite as he leads his team to a high finish. But Trevor Reinhart (Marin Academy) will also be right in the hunt for the D5 title as well. Kasey Knevelbaard (Immanuel), Gabe Arias-Sheridan (St. Joseph Notre Dame) and James Kinney (Marin Academy) are also in the hunt.
The 2013 CIF State Cross Country Championships will be streamed live on Flotrack starting at 8 a.m. PST.
Boys Division 1
If you want drama heading into the race for the Division 1 crown you've got it! Saucony #3 Arcadia boys have weathered quite a few storms and look very good entering the state race. They come off of a 2012 season which saw them win a national title in the mud of Portland Meadows and the loss of their long-time head coach this summer. But they are here and they are certainly ready to race with Estevan De La Rosa and Phillip Rocha both unafraid to lead the squad.
It won't be a gimme though, with Saucony #9 Madera South in the race. Madera South won their sectional with ease over Clovis North and have a very solid top-3 in Eduardo Herrera, Miguel Villar and David Garcia. Also throwing their hat in the ring are the boys of Warren, who took down the three-time defending champs in the Southern Section Finals with a stunning #2 All-Time 75:31 clocking. They came out on top of Arcadia 69 to 77. A few other teams that could stick their nose in the fight include Loyola, De La Salle, and Dana Hills.
Individually you have Tal Braude (Torrey Pines) and Blake Haney (Stockdale) who look the best right now. Jake Ogden (Dana Hills) won the Southern Section finals and will be riding that momentum into states as well. But Arcadia will be guns blazing, therefore Estevan De La Rosa and Phillip Rocha could be right up there in the mix as well. Other athletes who could really make a statement include Blair Hurlock (De La Salle), Steve Correa (San Pedro), Robert Brandt (Loyola), and Ben Gonzalez (Warren).
Boys Division 2