Central Section Rankings by Division

As the championship season approaches, we always like to give the MIleSplit database a chance to try to predict the outcome of every division race in every section, using season results to this point as the basis. We know it's not perfect, but it does start the conversation (and looking at the data helps us get focused on the teams and individuals to watch), so we find it interesting. We hope you will, too!

The Central Section has a little bit different postseason structure than most of the other large California sections: no prelims, and finals on a Thursday instead of a Saturday. The truly unique thing, though, is their placement of teams - this is the only section that penalizes successful lower-enrollment teams by moving them up into divisions with larger schools, which is how 600-student McFarland ends up in Division 1. That ostensibly makes the section races more competitive, but it also dramatically hurts the successful smaller programs when they go on to the state meet. With all the yearly changes, it can be hard to keep up with the contenders in each section, and that's why we're here!