Division 4 Boys
Teams to Watch (Full Rankings)
The overwhelming favorite for the boy's team title at NCS is Sir Francis Drake, the 2017 titlist. They return their top 5 varsity runners led by seniors Cooper Mccarthy, Gabriel Reuter, and Nicco Pompili, plus juniors Owen Wolford and Amir Barkan. All five of these runners ran sub-16 minutes on the Hayward course in the 2017 NCS meet, the only team to do so and they also all finished among the top 11 runners, pack running at its best. They could be even better in 2018 and it is doubtful that any other NCS team will be able to give them a serious challenge. With two other state qualifying berths on the line, there are several possibilities, although each of them has questions about how they will do.
Last season's #2 and #3 teams in the NCS, Piner, and Piedmont, both will be missing two of their top five runners due to graduation, making it problematic if they can replace that type of talent and qualify for state again. Bishop O'Dowd, which is always a threat for a top three finish, also experienced losing some top runners who graduated but has some talented young runners coming up.
Perhaps the most promising team for a runner-up position in the 2018 NCS meet is Albany. They return their top four runners led by Calder Abbott, who also had a good outdoor track season.
As previously mentioned, Piner still looks to be a contender for moving on to the state meet. They will be lead by senior Nathan Hayes, 10th in last years meet and who had a solid track season too. If their younger core of runners develops, they could definitely be in the hunt for the #2 or #3 place at the NCS meet.
Projected Top Teams: Sir Francis Drake, Albany, Piner
On the bubble: O'Dowd, Piedmont,
Athletes to Watch (Full Rankings)
In all likelihood, the top D4 individual will be a Sir Francis Drake runner. Who might emerge as #1 could be any one of these Drake runners, Cooper Mccarthy, Gabriel Reuter, Nicco Pompili, or Owen Wolford. After the Drake runners, possible contenders for a top finish are Lyle Rumon of Marin Catholic, Calder Abbott of Albany, and Tommy Murphy from O'Dowd.
Top Individuals: Cooper Mccarthy, Gabriel Reuter, and Nicco Pompili all from Sir Francis Drake
On the bubble: Owen Wolford-Drake, Lyle Rumon-Marin Catholic, Thomas Murphy-Bishop O'Dowd and Calder Abbott-Albany