Properly-Rated Girls Teams:
Great Oak
The best girls team in the state, and you could argue that they actually underperformed a little but while still winning Clovis Invite - the Wolfpack needs to solidify its depth just a bit to reach full potential.
Granada
Good showing at Woodbridge, and ran away with the team title at Crystal Springs this weekend, but lost to La Costa Canyon and Claremont at Stanford. Still, this squad is clearly one of the top 5 teams in the state, so I think my placement was fair.
Claremont
Has looked very good so far this season, winning strongly at Stanford and Cool Breeze. This is the 2nd-best team in the state so far, and could be closer to Great Oak than I expected.
Saugus
Ranks 4th in team 5K and 5th in team 3 Mile this season, and looks to be just as strong as last year despite the loss of Mariah Castillo to graduation.
Mira Costa
I don't think this team has shown its full potential yet, although a FAST set of 5K times from the Master's College course has them at 8th in the state. Still looks like a top 10 team, where I had them in the countdown.
Buchanan
Finished 4th at the Clovis Invite - but would have finished 2nd if freshman Allison Yee's time was in the varsity race instead of a lower-tier race. If they can solidify their #5 spot, watch out for this team.
La Costa Canyon
So far, has been a little better than I predicted - not enough to make the underrated list later in this article, but noteworthy. Great showing at Stanford indicates this squad is a legit contender.
Mission Viejo
Don't sleep on this team - they followed up a 4th-place finish at Woodbridge with a strong performance at Bob Firman. I might even have them slightly underrated in the countdown, as this team looks like a force to be reckoned with.
El Toro
This squad has looked very good in big meets at Dana Hills and in Portland, where they finished 4th against strong competition.
Vista Del Lago
Currently ranks 10th in the statewide 5K rankings, with a big win at Pacific Tiger and a close loss to St. Francis (SJ) at Capital Cross. Currently the best Division 3 team in the state.
Redondo
Although they only rank 18th in the statewide 3 Mile rankings, that is without returning #1 runner Lila Copeland. With her back on the course, which I hope happens soon, this team is right where I thought it would be, and maybe just a little better.
Davis Senior
I was a little down on the Blue Devils in the preseason due to heavy losses from graduation, but this team has looked quite good so far this fall - particularly in a 4th-place finish at Stanford. They appear to be right back in the hunt for the title of best in the SJS, although they trail at the moment.
Canyon (Anaheim Hills)
Solid performance at Woodbridge puts them high in the 3 Mile rankings, which could be an indication this team is ready to move up the rankings.
Sage Creek
This team has definitely been better than I anticipated, and almost made the underrated list. Sage Creek is strong enough to push LCC for the title of best in the SDS.
Walnut
Showed up VERY well at Woodbridge, with an 8th-place finish. but hasn't raced in a major meet since September 22. That could be a very good thing, if training is going well. Still my sleeper candidate to make it out of the D1 buzzsaw in the Southern Section.
