Honorable Mention

Although they didn't make the countdown, these three teams will definitely factor into the upcoming season. We have a pair of Cougar teams that both have great history and also both lost a strong group of seniors, and then we have the incumbent top team in the Northern Section.

Campolindo

The Cougars lost a ton to graduation, and we don't have 5 returning runners in our database to rank them. The program's history over the last 3 years is excellent (3rd-best Improvement Rating of the teams we surveyed), which suggests that Campolindo will be back strong. So do the team's returning 3200 rankings:

	1) Hana Sun		10:59.83
	2) Hannah Ruane		11:13.26
	3) Jenna Miles		11:29.77
	4) Robin Powell		12:13.31
	5) Emma Ishida		12:13.49
	Average Time: 11:37.93 Total Time: 58:09.66 1-5 Split: 1:13.66
	6) Isabella Chao		12:15.95
	7) Savanah Hilton		12:30.92

Capistrano Valley

Losing 4 seniors will set you back, but this team had made a habit of improving greatly from season to season over the last 3 years (2nd-best Improvement Rating of the 40+ teams we rated). These Cougars have the advantage of returning their top 2 runners, and they also showed excellent returning depth in the 1600 during outdoor track:

	1) Haley Herberg		4:57.75
	2) Ashley Licata		5:07.66
	3) Kayla Tresser		5:11.08
	4) Alyssa Bautista		5:13.24
	5) Cami Monteroso		5:36.76
	Average Time: 5:13.30 Total Time: 26:06.49 1-5 Split: 39.01
	6) Alexis Stevens		5:39.84
	7) Danielle Bigley		5:42.61

Flintridge Prep

The defending Division 5 State Champs lost two of their top 5 to graduation, but they still have strong returning talent (including returning #1 Natalie O'Brien, who had a strong track season). Depth is a serious concern, but you can bet the rebels won't give up the state title without a serious fight.

	1) Natalie O'brien		18:55.00
	2) Maia Cohen		19:15.00
	3) Gabriella Bennett		19:43.00
	4) Marisa Langley		20:46.00
	5) Willow Scott		20:47.00
	Average Time: 19:53.20 Total Time: 1:39:26.00 1-5 Split: 1:52.00
	6) Isabella Williams		22:31.00
	7) Catalina Ruiz		22:51.68

Chico

The Panthers were the best team in the Northern Section in 2014, and they have 5 runners back from that team. Furthermore, 4 of their returning top 5 will be seniors this year, and you can bet they want to continue to reign over their section.

	1) Celeste Wilson		19:16.00
	2) Georgina Quinn		20:06.00
	3) Jessalyn Ayars		20:35.70
	4) Lauren Moxon		21:24.00
	5) Michaela Crescetelli		21:27.70
	Average Time: 20:33.88 Total Time: 1:42:49.40 1-5 Split: 2:11.70
	6) Kaytlyn Nather		22:16.00
	7) Rachel Sites		22:47.00