This week we're working on detailed previews for each of the sections, breaking them down into the top athletes and teams in every division. It's all part of the build-up to the first big weekend of cross country races when we'll finally have some current results to use to judge the 2018 teams!
The Central Coast Section has one of the state's elite programs (St. Francis, Mountain View) that qualified for the 2017 NXN meet. In fact, they become the first team from CCS to qualify to the national meet since the inception of NXN (previously Nike Team Nationals) in 2004. With a strong returning group, they will be favored to repeat as section and state champions this coming XC season. The section is also home to their league rival, Bellarmine boys, who have won their fair share of section titles and plenty of visits to the famed Woodward Park course in Fresno.
In the next few pages, we will dissect the top teams and individuals in each division as we look at all the top returners. If you know of impact freshmen attending any of the programs mentioned please let us know in the adjoining comment section.