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California Region Boys Early Season Rankings 2025Published by
Jesuit Marauders Embark On Special Season With Key Returners Back By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor Boys California Preview Legendary coach Walt Lange of Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.) has one of the most talented teams in his 54-year career this fall and it is a national title contender. With the bulk of last year's 11th place team at Nike Cross Nationals returning, and the pick-up of a key transfer, Jesuit is on a short list of teams that appear capable of winning the national title in 2025. In addition to Jesuit's 11th place finish last year after winning the CIF Division 2 title (Lange's 10th as coach), California entries Menlo and Glendora were 15th and 17th, respectively, at NXN. Menlo and Glendora graduated most of their lineups, leaving the door open to a slew of other teams to seize the opportunity to grab the second automatic berth out of the California merge and any at-large selections. There are a lot of good teams coming into the season in California and it may take the upcoming Woodbridge Cross Country Classic to sort them out. Individually, Connor Lott of Clovis North, the CIF 1,600 meters champion last spring, is the top runner in the state. He's the defending Division 1 champion. All five of last year's individual qualifiers for NXN have graduated. Benjamin Fernandez of Matilda Torres and Jesuit's Drake Hoferer, and Lott, are the top returners from state. Senior Maximo Zavaleta of Martin Luther King was fifth at the CIF track and field championships in the 3,200 meters. 1. Jesuit. After winning the CIF Division 2 title last year and then placing 11th at Nike Cross Nationals, the wealth of returning talent has elevated the Marauders to national title contenders this fall. Seniors Drake Hoferer, Isaac Abbott and Kyle Jakary and juniors Matthew Ogilvie, Lucas Alberts, Rafael Jopson and Ryan Tait all return from last year's team. Transfer Connor Bilodeau from Granite Bay, a junior, makes the team even stronger. Bilodeau was 28th at the state meet last fall. 2, Matilda Torres. The Toros won the Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle over a 2-mile course to kick things off in mid August. The third-place team from last year's CIF Division 2 final brings back its top three and five of seven. Seniors Benjamin Fernandez, Hunter Hannah and Alfonso Del Toro are at the front of the pack. Sophomore Antonio Santiago and junior Christopher Sanchez are also important pieces of the Toros pack. 3. Campolindo. The Cougars bring back five from its CIF D3 championship team last year, are still a bit young ,but have the depth and talent to do well in this year's merge. Junior Clark Gregory, sophomore Caden Ehrhorn, junior Gavin Gunn, senior Cody De la Cruz and junior Jack Durden return from last year's state meet. Juniors Carter Cook and Nikola Van Delft are also part of the mix this fall. 4. Redondo Union, The Sea Hawks return three of its top seven from last year but this year's depth has already been shown with a strong group effort and team victory at the PR City Invitational last weekend. Sophomores Matteo Sanchez and Mario Montoya finished fourth and fifth at Silverlakes Park. Seniors Michael Billiris, Desmond Vaughs and Mateo Figueroa rounded out the top five. Seniors Robert Leetch and Gavin Hasson were also in the varsity lineup. 5. Beckman. The Patriots won the CIF Division 1 title last year but lost four of its top five from that meet to graduation. There is still a ton of depth on the roster, led by seniors Mason Nguyen, Christian Weber and Nolan Barajas and juniors Ryan Barris, Hassan Syed and sophomore Jacob Franco. It's a good group that will stay in the hunt for a repeat state title. An early loss to Redondo Union will be meaningless if the team can regroup at Woodbridge and beyond. WATCHLIST More news |
