Properly-Rated Boys Teams:
Great Oak
Right where I expected them to be, rankings-wise, but even stronger: the clear #1 team in the state, and nobody else is particularly close at this point.
Dana Hills
I had them at #2, but in a four-team cluster that I had a hard time separating. They rank 4th in the CA 3 Mile rankings right now and 10th in the 5K, and they finished 4th against a loaded field at the Clovis Invite. That makes them a likely top 5 team in the state right now, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them improve on that over the next month. All this despite the loss of Caleb Niednagel, which was bound to lead to some growing pains in the early season.
St. Francis Mountain View
They haven't quite looked like the #3 team in the state, but they have looked good - they rank 6th in the statewide 5K rankings, although they finished a slightly disappointing 6th at Clovis. This could be strategic; I wouldn't be surprised if this team is training through all competitions right now with their eyes on November.
Claremont
You could make an argument for this team as the #2 squad in California so far this season. They are every bit as strong as we thought they would be.
Newbury Park
As with Claremont, this team has lived up to the preseason hype, and looks like a legitimate contender in the championship season. Nico Young has been a revelation.
La Costa Canyon
This squad has fought through some turbulence, but is rounding into form as we speak and gearing up for big races yet to come. The front 4 is as good as anybody other than Great Oak, and depth is solidifying.
Granada
I had them as a possible top 10 overall team this fall, and I still see that potential. They rank 13th and 12th in the 5K and 3 Mile right now, and have been competing well.
Jesuit
Currently 14th in the statewide 5K rankings, but without Matt Strangio. That says it all - at full strength, this squad is borderline top 5 overall.
Loyola
Another season, another powerhouse Loyola team, this one rankings 7th in the 3 Mile right now. If anything, I may have slightly underestimated the Cubs, but not enough to compare to the 4 boys teams on later slides.
Long Beach Poly
The Jackrabbits are in the top 10 statewide in both distances, with strong performances at Woodbridge and in Portland. I have a feeling this is the year they break through for a top 5 finish at the state meet, and I haven't seen anything to move me off of that position yet,
Clovis North
Although they didn't perform as well as I had hoped this past weekend at Woodward Park, they still rank in the top 20 statewide for 5K.
West Torrance
Bringing home the win at Capital Cross was impressive, and they grade out well in the 5K team rankings.
Arcadia
Solid performance at Woodbridge balances out a tough race in Clovis, and I think this team is lurking for a postseason run.
Lowell
I put this team in the countdown for two reasons: they are the dominant team in the San Francisco section, and they have a chance to be better than their 18th-place finish in Division 1 last year. I haven't seen anything to change my mind yet.
Chico
Similar to Lowell, this is the power in the Northern Section, and they look just as strong as I suspected so far.
La Serna
Didn't look like a top 30 team at Woodbridge, but improved with a solid performance at Clovis, where they beat a shorthanded Jesuit team as well as Arcadia.
Trabuco Hills
Definitely still in the conversation for the top 30 in the state.
California (SS)
Looked better than an "honorable mention" team at Woodbridge, but one race on a super-fast course is not enough to move them into underrated territory yet.
Mira Costa
Currently 16th in the statewide 5K rankings, although that Master's College course seems awfully fast. Still, this is a team I'm watching as a sleeper when the championships come around.
Amador Valley
VERY good showing at Clovis Invite has them on the cusp of being a top 25 overall team, and they could be the next to make underrated status.
Ayala
Ran even with teams I rated ahead of them at Clovis Invite, so I need to keep a close eye on this team over the next few weeks.
