TIER 2
Loyola - Next to Dana Hills on the boys' side, no other large schools' program has the accolades that Loyola has over the past 20 seasons. As some may celebrate the move, teams in Division II are frowning when they saw that two dominant powerhouses moved into their division. This should be Loyola's 12th consecutive season making the State meet and its ... 17th time in the past 18 seasons! The only blemish was an 8th place finish in 2006. That run includes three titles to go along with two runner-up plaques. Loyola is trying to break the string of finishing 4th for the fourth straight year. Despite graduating five scorers from last year's State meet squad, the Cubs have already reloaded. Junior Anthony Stone (4:17/9:35) will lead the group but expect a condensed pack come November. Vinnie Giachini (4:28/9:37), Roberto Ruelas (9:44), Ethan Stauber (9:54), Michael Antonucci (9:55), Gus Marshall and Zach Zambrano all excelled in the 3200 meters this past spring. But watch for Mason Ratkovich and Konnor Paris to be up front as well. Ratkovich broke 1:53 in the 800 at last June's State track championships. Parris (1:57/4:26) will be in the varsity mix as well. Head coach Lalo Diaz and his staff have carved out a legacy that no matter what faces may graduate, the Cubs have already replaced them with as much talent as before!
Thousand Oaks - One of the most improved programs in the section, the Lancers look to place much higher than their 10th place finish last year. With only one graduation in 2017, this crew should be their first to qualify for the State meet since their championship squad of 2008. Coming off a great track season with the focus being the 800 meters, Mitchell Burr is their top returner. Burr rolled to a 15:23 last postseason while racing to 1:54/4:22 splits this past spring. Ethan Bersley (4:26/9:28) returns along Michael Mireles (9:39). They featured three of the best freshmen in the division as Angus Fitzgerald (1:59/4:29), Josh Stern (4:35/9:44) while Michael Cooper returns with postseason experience. Eric Longo, Vianey Ellison and Drew Downing all broke 10 minutes this track season. If track season was any indication, this group is poised to be one of the top ten in the Southern Section.