TIER 3
Capistrano Valley - No squad lost more in the division than the Cougars. State champ and NXN qualifier, Haley Herberg and Footlocker National finalist, Alyssa Bautista were the foundation for this program's success the past four seasons (all state meet berths) and a huge reason Capo Valley placed 3rd in 2017. Carly Corsinita stepped it up to another level this past track season. Her last month included five efforts under 11 for the 3200, peaking with a 10:41 at the CIF-SS Masters meet. Head coach Ken Sayles has been very pleased with the training paces that Corsinita has been hitting (similar to the departed Herberg and Bautista). Haley Kroger improved to an 11:32 this past spring and will provide added support. In what will be a young crew, Isabella Jin is the only senior after a great November last year. Along with Samantha Fulkerson, Shannon Trueman and Alexis Telford, Sayles is impressed with some of the new freshmen, led by Midori McConathy, Baylee Berryman and Lauren Saalberg. Don't expect this group to let down one bit as they seek a fifth straight trip to State in D-II and a seventh overall.
Anaheim Canyon - Traditionally, the Comanches are one of the more successful Division II programs. They are seeking their fourth straight trip to the State meet (placed 5th in 2017 and 2nd in 2016), and what would be their 9th trip in the past 12 seasons. Making up for the loss of the graduated Sara Leonard will be a huge challenge. But Ashling Carr and Sara Paino will try to make up for the graduation of three from their scoring five last postseason. Both dipped under 18:30 last postseason while Paino pulled in 5:33/11:42 tabs this past freshmen season of track. Abby Gradijan, Graciela Retiguin, Isabella Rubalcava and Raha Motamedi all ran between 12:00-12:10 for the 3200 meters this past track season and will look to provide a pack that will compete with the rest of the squads in this tier. With the addition of incoming freshmen Emma Hadley, Isabella Frisone and Teagan Carr, Canyon should be right back into the State conversation. Hadley was one of the best 8th graders last year while Frisone's parents were both very accomplished alums of Cal State Fullerton lore.
Simi Valley - Establishing herself as one of the best in the division, sophomore Jill Walker stepped it up 
this past spring. Her best of 10:42 placed her among some of the best freshmen in the nation for 3200 meters. Taking 10th at the divisional finals last fall (17:31) and advancing as an individual, she moved up a gear in finishing 9th at the State meet. Now comes the challenge of building depth behind her. Head coach Roger Evans continues to produce great squads and this should be the Pioneers' 13th consecutive trip to the finals. Simi Valley has two titles and a runner-up plaque in that span but will need to develop a pack that can stay close to clear No. 2 Stephanie Pham. Gianna Gonzales and Makenna Smollen have postseason experience. Haley Golman, who has 2:14/5:18 marks to her resume, joins Walker, Pham and Smollen as returning scorers from the 2017 section final. Talent is definitely there and if realized, they may very well be making their way back to the State meet for the first time since 2014.
Westlake - When looking back at what Westlake returns from last year's postseason, one would not see them being so high on our list. But don't overlook how they did not have the services of Rebecca Shultz, who is coming off one of the more impressive track seasons which saw her post 5:03/10:51. Add her back up front along with Ashley Gonzalez (5:16/11:27), Westlake should be fighting for a State meet berth. The pack of Ruby Sirota-Foster (5:20), Jennifer Ruffing, Constance Shi and Claire Robbins makes for a solid group. We also cannot overlook Claire Adams who comes in with the most leg speed (2:15.5) in the program. Last time the Westlake girls qualified for the State meet was 2005. But they must continue to improve and leapfrog others in this tier to do so.
Ventura - Replacing the graduated Sofia Ramos up front, Madeline Locher returns with a best of 17:50 on the Riverside Championship course. Locher will be amongs the best in the division and comes off a 5:15/11:11 spring season. The Cougars return those six girls behind Ramos from last year's 7th place crew that made the State meet for the third straight season. This crew could easily be back at the State meet if Allison Tolosa, Claire Ortiz and Rita Soriano all continue to improve. Where we might see the most improvement is in Samantha Prehn, who is coming off a 5:25/11:33 track season. Julianna Garcia also impressed with 5:24/12:01 splits. After this past track season, and the improved depth we witnessed, we moved Ventura back into the Tier 3, a group that is expected to compete for a State meet berth. Will this be their fourth straight season to the State meet?