Returning State D-I champion Anna McNatt's time on 3-mile courses is more than a minute faster than any other returning girl in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
As you would expect, it's a who's-who of elite returning girls, including Whitney's Katie Kopec, at the top of the 5K leaders list in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
As a freshman, Sonora's Broen Holman blistered the 3-mile cross country course at Woodbridge. He is the fastest returning boy in the SJS for that distance.
Torrey Pines junior Scarlett Taylor is among the leading returning girls in the San Diego Section on 3-mile courses.
Ian Rosen's seventh-place finish on the Woodward Park State Meet course slots as the top 5K time among returning boys in the San Diego Section.
Graduation hit the boys hard while the girls spotlight shines on a returning State Meet individual champion and state-level depth among the teams.
Del Norte senior Hanna Riggins is the top returning girl in the San Diego Section on 5,000-meter courses.
Courses lumped in under the 3-mile heading vary in degrees of both difficulty and distance, some running faster, some slower, and some measured at 2.x miles.
A deep returning group and some unfinished business make the Dons cross country team one to watch this season.
The Menlo boys will be one of the top Division V teams in the state.
Despite losing graduating three of the top five, Newbury Park will continue to be a power!
Senior Andrew Martin leads a deep Mira Costa boys cross country team that returns five from last year's CIF-SS D-2 championship lineup. (Raymond Tran photo)
One of the state's top sophomores leads a solid group of returners as the Monarchs take on an even deeper group of CCS elite teams now in Division 2.
The Gryphons return their entire CCS title-winning lineup, including sophomores Benjamin Bouie and Tarik Baker.
Payton Godsey leads the charge for an Oaks Christian girls cross country team that returns all but one from a highly successful 2021 season.
The Stallions are coming off a section title with most of the team returning, looking to make big noise during the fall of '22.
Campolindo lost just one senior from a lineup that swept NCS and State Meet XC titles in '21. Will the perennial champion Cougars roar to the top again in '22?
Menlo Atherton has been one of the powerhouses in the section and should contend for the state meet once again this season.
After a disappointing 2021, the Katie Kopec-led Wildcats have reinforcements looking to make a run toward the program's first section title.
After a narrow miss of sweeping both NCS and State Meet titles, Granada returns the majority of that group looking for even greater success this fall.
Junior Madalyn Robertson leads a deep returning group for Las Plumas, looking for a return trip to the CIF-State Cross Country Championships.
The Devils return the core of the State Division V title team but, as always, face a tough battle with NCS foe Lick Wilmerding.
With two strong returners and plenty of options in reserve, Davis looks to overcome senior losses to earn a return trip to the State Meet.
The Marauders, a perennial SJS D-1 power, return three scores from the State Meet but the development of the back four will determine their success in '22.
Lowell, the dominant XC program in San Francisco for decades, returns just Bruno Bartalos from last season's varsity seven and could be challenged this fall.
Tremendous returning depth, led by senior Carly Foster, makes Granite Bay one of the top teams to watch in CA this cross country season.
The Wildcats, with Andrew Richards leading the returners, appear primed to return to the top of the podium at the NCS Championships.
With six of their top seven back, the Panthers appear set to return to the top of the NCS Division 4 podium for the first time since 2008.
The Bellarmine boys have won the most section cross country title in history and will be favored to add to their record setting title this upcoming season.
As one of the state's elites, the Trojans girls cross country team should warrant national recognition.