Great Oak pack is strong as oak. (Photo courtesy of Doug Soles/ Great Oak Head Coach)
Girls Division 1
Great Oak is the best team in California, hands down. They have been solid all year but really let it rip at the Southern Section Finals, winning with the best team time in CA history on the Mt. SAC course with a total team time of 87:58. Two other strong squads were Davis and St. Francis. They may not challenge Great Oak for the win but it certainly promises to be a great battle as both squads were very close in the Sac-Joaquin Section Finals with Davis topping St. Francis 37 to 43. Other strong teams that could be in the hunt include Buchanan, Capistrano Valley, Trabuco Hills and Clovis North.
Individually there should be a nice battle up front with Fiona O'Keeffe (Davis) and Marissa Williams (Palisades Charter) fighting it out for the title. Other solid competitors who will hang tough are Sarah Robinson (Gunn) and Lauren LaRocco (St. Francis).
Girls Division 2
Simi Valley is clearly still the favorite for the title in D2 and they proved that by winning the Southern Section Finals over some great squads. Redondo Union looks to be coming into form nicely just in time for states as they were 2nd by just 17 points. Saugus struggled a bit but they will be right in the hunt as well with a solid race performance. La Costa Canyon dominated in their North County Finals race and looked poised for great things here as well. Arroyo Grande, Serrano and Mira Costa are also all looking really good right now as well.
Individually, Sarah Baxter (Simi Valley) will clearly be the odds on favorite to win a 4th straight title, but just how fast can she go will be the real question. That's not to say there isn't some great talent in this one. Samantha Ortego (Saugus) has run well all year and should be in the mix as well as Addi Zerrenner (Dos Pueblos), Lauren Jacob (Los Altos), Claire Graves (Citrus Valley) and Emma Abrahamson (La Costa Canyon).
Girls Division 3
All the favorites for the team title are in this one with Campolindo and Palos Verdes looking the best going into the state meet fight. But Northwood and Aptos looked good as well and will definitely be in the mix.
Individually Bethan Knights (Northwood) has had a fantastic season and looked great in the Southern Section finals, so expect a state title from her. Other runners in the mix for a top placing include Brighie Leach (Campolindo), Clare Peabody (Aptos), and Samantha Murphy (Northwood).
Girls Division 4
JSerra Catholic won the Southern Section finals with ease and are clearly the favorite as they have a significant amount of momentum entering the state meet. San Lorenzo Valley may have a say in who wins however, as they looked great in the Central Coast Section, cruising to victory there. A few other teams who have been racing well as of late and could make a push for a top placing include Laguna Beach, Harvard-Westlake, Big Bear, and Scotts Valley.
Anna Maxwell (San Lorenzo Valley) is the odds-on favorite to win the state title here for the first time. Her challengers include Caroline Pietrzyk (Malibu), Morgan Coonfield (McKinleyville), and Valerie Morrison (Scotts Valley).
Girls Division 5
Flintridge Prep is a very strong squad won the Southern Section finals with ease, setting themselves up to win the state crown. However, Branson is fully healthy and Central Valley Christian looked great in their section meet so both teams could challenge for the title as well. San Francisco Univeristy has won 4 straight times, can they find a way to win a 5th?
Individually Julia Maxwell (Branson) looks like a lock to win her third straight individual title to cap a great senior season, despite injury that has hampered her as of late. Challengers include Natalia LaSpada (La Jolla Country Day), Jody Meads (Mammoth), Sarah Yoho (Flintridge Prep), and Marissa Thompson (Woodcrest Christian).
The 2013 CIF State Cross Country Championships will be streamed live on Flotrack starting at 8 a.m. PST.