Countdown to XC Day 17: West Torrance



There aren't too many programs that can lose 6 seniors from their 2017 top 10, and still return 16 runners that broke 17 minutes for 3 miles. West Torrance is one of those programs, and despite the unusually heavy hit by graduation, the Warriors give me two reasons for confidence in their 2018 squad. First, they have proven to improve well from season to season, and they obviously have a deep talent pool to draw from this summer in their quest to reload. Second, West Torrance had solid spring season results from some individuals that look poised to step up. Niccolo Esquivelzeta and Jake Parker both ran 4:25 for 1600, leading 19 returners that broke 5 minutes (including 9 under 4:50), and Joon Hee Bock posted the team's top 3200 mark. The Warriors will be in the same boat next year, as their 2018 top 7 is projected to have at least 5 seniors, and possibly as many as 6.


RANKTIMEATHLETE/TEAMGRADEMEET DATEPLACE
115:26.202019
215:28.602019
315:41.502019
415:52.902020
515:58.302019
616:01.202020
716:09.502019
816:12.102019
916:18.302020


Team Statistics:

  • 5K Improvement Rating: 17th
  • 3 Mile Improvement Rating: 28th
  • 5K Returning Rankings: 35th
  • 3 Mile Returning Rankings: 26th
  • 3200 Returning Rankings: 20th
  • 1600 Returning Rankings: 20th


The purpose of the Countdown To XC is not to predict the top 30 teams in the state for the upcoming season (although we certainly hope that the top 15-20 teams are included in the countdown at some point). The goal is to recognize thirty teams to watch as cross country begins, using data to uncover squads with strengths that stand out from the pack. The countdown is also not meant to be in a strict order, because it's impossible to sort out several teams of similar strength at this point of the season.