CIF California State Meet
-- The 22nd Annual CIF-State Cross Country Championships plays a continued role in determining the top programs in the State of California and Nation. For the second season in a row the CIF meet, the final state championship, has served as regional qualifier for the Nike Cross National Championships, simply known as NXN.
Several top programs and individuals will compete for State supremacy and a few will headline NXN National Championships a week later. What is clear, the California Regional is the final opportunity for teams to impress the NXN Committee. It is safe to assume, this year, California will lead the way in at-large berths for the NXN National Championships and a precursor to one team's crowning as possibly one of the best in history.
Division I Individual Boys
Favorite: James Cameron, Mission Viejo - Defending 2007 Individual Champion
Contenders: Tyler Valdes, Dana Hills; Zack Torres, Crescenta; Jonathan Sanchez, Buchanan
Darkhorse: Danny Vartanian, Buchanan
Darkhorse Team: Buchanan, (Coach Martin Simpson) - Milesplit , led by a deadly group of runners the Bear's recently set the 4th fastest team time in state course history with a blistering 78:10 Central Section Finals victory. Will give Dana Hills all they can handle as these two Cali juggernauts battle for State and National honors.
Team Favorite: Saugus, (Coach Rene Paragaus) - Milesplit , was there any question that the defending state champion Centurians are simply one of the best teams the U.S. has seen in the past 10 years? After a mind-boggling 88:18 total team time at Mt. Sac the super-team is poised to shatter the state meet record. Barring some unforseen dilemma the Saugus girls are all but guaranteed an NXN berth. A showdown of last years 1-2 finish with Manlius is imminent as the Centurians seek to avenge their 2007 NTN defeat.