DIVISION I
Great Oak has become THE standard here and 2018 was no exception. On paper coming into the summer, Dana Hills was a serious threat to the Wolfpack's run atop the Division I hierarchy. But, in what has seemingly become tradition, Great Oak saw several key runners step-up and take ownership of their fourth consecutive title. Tyler Tickner and Gabriel Abbes provided the punch up front all season, but as those two struggled down the postseason stretch, Mateo Joseph, Ryan Shields, Cameron Hylton, and Chris Verdugo provided amble support to secure both of those titles.
While Dana Hills was able to get the best of West Ranch at the divisional finals, West Ranch turned the tables the following week at the California State Meet. Turning the Division 1 State Title into a nail-biter, 
West Ranch exploded with their best race of the season, falling only 11 points short of Great Oak! With one of the best duos in the nation, Evan Bates (runner-up at State Meet and second fastest in the section) and Isaiah Seidman remained steadfast and then led their crew to an eighth-place finish at NXN! Sophomore Dylan Gatua was one of the most improved in the section while Trinity Classical-transfer, Hunter Romine provided the supportive arsenal that elevated this squad to its national status.
Considering how Dana Hills saw a key component and one of the best in the division transfer out of the area, the Dolphins continued to provide pressure all season. This was the fourth time in five seasons that they earned the runner-up spot and their 13th straight season of advancing onto the state meet. Simon Fuller stepped up as their top gun while Carrick Denker, Garrett Hough, and Canyon-Anaheim transfer, Cole Stark provided the support for the Orange County Championships victors.
Long Beach Poly, led by William Frankenfeld's individual title at the divisional championships, crossed in fourth place at the SS-Finals making this their second year in a row of moving onward to Fresno. Meanwhile, one of the greatest surprises in the section came in the likes of Crescenta Valley! Not projected to compete for a top ten spot in 2018, the Falcons landed themselves amongst our top ten squads in the entire section, along with their fifth place spot at the finals. Dylan Wilbur and Manan Vats led the way!
Another squad that peaked with perfection in November, Mira Costa leapfrogged a huge host of squads at the divisional finals and crossed in sixth place. They had not been ranked in the top ten all season. Meanwhile, an underdog as well, California snagged that last spot to qualify for the State Meet for the third time in four seasons.
Individually, Long Beach Poly's Frankenfeld executed his race plan to perfection in moving away for the divisional title. He outlasted Great Oak's Tickner and Dana Hills' Fuller along with West Ranch's Seidman. West Ranch's Bates passed all of them at the State Meet and led his squad to the narrow 11-point runner-up spot.
With Division I presenting its top national caliber talent ever, keep in mind that it was highlighted by two of the best squads in the country while Dana Hills just missed out on receiving an at-large bid to NXN! With Great Oak obviously running the fastest team time overall at the California State Meet, West Ranch was second while Dana Hills was the fifth best squad in the state.
Surprise Teams: Crescenta Valley, Mira Costa
Surprise Individuals: Dylan Gatua (West Ranch), Mateo Joseph (Great Oak)