One of the most successful programs in the U.S., Great Oak's girls are looking to capture the Sweepstakes title, like they did in 2014 and 2015. They've been the team runner-up the past two seasons. With Great Oak ranked #3 in the Milesplit 50, #14 Buchanan will split their squad up, opting to place their top two, and the top two overall a year ago, to do the pacing chores up front once again.
Just outside the top 25 national rankings, Granada, Desert Hills of Utah and Southlake Carroll of Texas will be looking to push Great Oak for the team title. Recently impressing and if 100% healthy, look for Ayala, Serrano and Canyon of Anaheim to compete to finish amongst the top three. Serrano was 3rd a year ago while Southlake Carroll's girls took fourth. Coming from Colorado, Palmer Ridge took 7th here a year ago and return five from that squad. Meanwhile, two of Arizona's best join in as Desert Vista and Xavier Prep always represent well in making the trip to Southern California.
Individually, Great Oak's Tori Gaitan is ranked #15 on the Milesplit 50 and is the fourth fastest returner, 
rolling to a 16:10 here a year ago. Gaitan is coming off a 4:47/10:17 sophomore track season. But, seeded at #18 on the national lists, Buchanan's Corie Smith (pictured) is our defending champion, crossing the line in 15:58 a year ago. Smith is also California's defending Div. 1 champion as her teammate, Meagen Lowe was 2nd a year ago in both, including running 15:59 at SilverLakes. Both qualified for NXN, with Lowe taking 16th and Smith 21st. Joining those three up front with also include two other members of the Great Oak factory in Fatima Cortes and Arianna Griffiths.
Coming in from Arizona's Rio Rico High, Samantha Schadler is the defending Div. 3 state champion. From New Mexico, Albuquerque's Alisha Fishbein is also looking for a top 10 finish. Utah's Bailey Brinkerhoff looks to lead her Desert Hills squad. Colorado's Isabella Prosceno was one of the fastest freshmen a year ago (16:50) and will lead her Palmer Ridge squad. Making the trip from Louisiana, Lauren Hendry is the defending Class 5A Cross Country state champ. Finally, do not overlook Halena Rahmaan of Montgomery, TX as she is the defending 6A state champ and coming off a 4:54 track season.
Local talents that are coming off suburb efforts recently, watch for Chino Hills' Jacqueline Duarte, San 
Clemente's Hana Catsimanes while JW North sophomore Makayla Browne ran a 16:40 on this course a year ago. Costa Mesa's Diane Molina is coming off a monster 17:50 performance at Laguna Hills last weekend. Walnut's Chloe and Emma Arriaga and Mission Viejo's Kelli Hines are also ready to roll. Chloe Arriaga (pictured) ran 16:07 here a year ago while Hines cruised to a 16:34. Oak Park's Sarah Shulze is fresh off a California state-leading 16:32 victory at last weekend's Cool Breeze Invite! Right behind her was Serrano freshman Tiani Goeson , with a 16:39 three-mile debut last weekend. Another freshman to look for is Emma Hadley from nearby Anaheim Hills, Canyon as she rolled to a 17:12 in that same race a week ago.
The Girls Rated race is at 8:54, followed by the boys 9:14 pm. The Girls Sweepstakes race takes off at 9:34 with the boys following at 9:54 pm. Get there in plenty of time to see this showcase of speed and talent. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines...!