California 1s: Dana Hills boys, Great Oak girls

The California Boys

By Erik Boal

California enjoyed historic success at Nike Cross Nationals, with Great Oak joining Arcadia (2010 and 2012) as national team champions and Dana Hills placing third, marking the first time in the meet’s 12-year history that two teams from the state made the podium.

Both teams have dealt with significant losses to graduation, but the depth of their overall programs again make them the teams to beat in contention for both Division 1 titles and berths to NXN.

After nine consecutive years of securing at least one at-large bid to race at Nike’s national meet, California was only represented in Oregon last year by its two automatic qualifiers. Several teams, including past NXN qualifiers Madera South and Brea-Olinda, have the potential to earn berths again.

1. Dana Hills (Southern Section Division 1): Although the Dolphins have to replace graduated stars Jake Ogden and Mason Coppi, in addition to coach Craig Dunn taking over for retired mentor Tim Butler, there is plenty of experience on the roster. Jack Landgraf leads a group motivated to win a Division 1 state title and return to NXN.

2. Great Oak (Southern Section Division 1): Despite graduating six athletes from last year’s national championship roster, the Wolfpack are prepared to write a new chapter after one of the most memorable years for any school in state history. Solomon Fountain is supported by a group of promising, but unproven competitors looking to continue the program’s successful tradition.

3. Madera South (Central Section Division 1): The Stallions have finished among the top four at the state meet three consecutive years, including a second-place finish in 2013. Although Eduardo “Lalo” Herrera is now at Colorado, Miguel Villar is capable of extending the team’s streak of impressive performances at Woodward Park.

4. Brea-Olinda (Southern Section Division 3): The Wildcats won back-to-back state titles with Austin Tamagno leading the way, but despite the graduation of the Oregon-bound standout there is still significant depth on the roster in pursuit of a three-peat, led by Giovanni Orellana and Tyler Spicer.

5. West Torrance (Southern Section Division 3): Following a section championship last season, the Warriors are relying heavily on Caleb Terrill and Carson Bix in pursuit of their first state title after placing third at last year’s final.

Watch list:

Claremont (Southern Section Division 2)

Loyola (Southern Section Division 2)

Bellarmine Prep (Central Coast Section Division 1)

Mira Costa (Southern Section Division 2)

Burroughs (Southern Section Division 1)

West Ranch (Southern Section Division 2)

Roosevelt (Southern Section Division 1)

The California Girls

By Erik Boal

Although the best programs from California were again unsuccessful in knocking off New York juggernaut Fayetteville-Manlius at Nike Cross Nationals, for the first time in meet history, the state had two teams make the podium with Davis Senior rebounding from a narrow setback at the Division 1 final against Great Oak to place second in Oregon ahead of the third-place Wolfpack.

Despite both Great Oak and Davis graduating their top runners, they are again the elite teams in the state, possessing significant potential to not only return to NXN but challenge New York’s elite for podium finishes.

After not being awarded an at-large entry to NXN last season, California is deep enough to merit recognition this year, with Arcadia and Saugus leading the potential contenders.

1. Great Oak (Southern Section Division 1): Despite the graduation of Texas signee Destiny Collins, a fifth consecutive trip to NXN seems likely for the Wolfpack, who will look to repeat as state champion and challenge for another podium finish in Oregon thanks to the experience of Evelyn Mandel, Kiyena Beatty, Nicole Rice, Sydney Belus and Sandra Pflughoft.

2. Davis Senior (Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1): The Blue Devils joined Great Oak and Saugus among California girls teams to produce a runner-up finish at NXN with their impressive performance last year. Although Fiona O’Keeffe has moved on to Stanford, Sofia Castiglioni, Olivia O’Keeffe and Abigail Fisk have their sights set on competing for a state title and a return trip to Oregon.

3. Arcadia (Southern Section Division 1): With all the success achieved by Great Oak and Davis Senior last year, the Apaches’ third-place finish at the state meet was overshadowed. Led by Holly Lung, all seven athletes from the state roster return, giving the team legitimate aspirations to return to the state podium and possibly qualify for NXN.

4. Saugus (Southern Section Division 2): The main focus for coach Rene Paragas is tying the California record with a 10th state championship, but after missing an at-large berth to NXN last season, Mariah Castillo and Kaylee Thompson also hope to lead the Centurions to a return trip to Oregon.

5. Buchanan (Central Section Division 1): Like Arcadia, all seven competitors from the state roster return for the Bears, who placed fourth in a loaded division at the championship meet. Meagen Lowe is one of the state’s most talented sophomores in a lineup motivated to regain its section title after runner-up finishes to Clovis North the past two years.

Watch list:

Claremont (Southern Section Division 2)

Aptos (Central Coast Section Division 3)

Esperanza (Southern Section Division 3)

Palos Verdes (Southern Section Division 3)

Bishop Amat (Southern Section Division 4)

Long Beach Poly (Southern Section Division 1)

Dana Hills (Southern Section Division 1)