DIVISION III
Coming into the season, at least on paper, Palos Verdes were the overwhelming favorites to capture the Division III team title and stop West Torrance's run of three titles in a row. Considering how West Torrance, graduated the majority of their scorers - the numbers truly favored them. That all changed at the Mt. SAC Invite where the Warriors outdueled the Sea Kings and leapfrogged into the position as the favorites.
The much-anticipated rematch ensued at the divisional finals and lived up to the billing. An unsuspecting hero, Tate Nygren, fell earlier in the race and was left in the back when the dust cleared. He worked his way up through the crowd and when everybody had crossed the line, Palos Verdes has secured the one-point, 82-83 victory! The beauty of the sport is when you can point to the efforts of the fifth and final scorer to highlight the accomplishments of a team! Palos Verdes was led by Nathan Lantz and William Teets as this was their first title since 2012. Meanwhile, it was their 12th trip in the past 13 seasons to the State Meet.
How did West Torrance virtually graduate everybody and almost defend their title? Great coaching and serious drive amongst the boys for sure, while Jake Parker was their top boy for that November run. Parker was not in the varsity seven a year earlier while Niccolo Esquivelzeta also came up big this season to lead his squad. The Warriors got a little revenge the following weekend by finishing well ahead of Palos Verdes and earn a third-place finish at the State Meet.
Lost in the drama up front, Indio climbed up the charts as one of the top 25 teams in the Southern Section. The senior-driven crew was led by Esahi Bravo while Aaron Perez and Victor Urbina provided valuable support. This was the Rajas first trip back to the State Meet since 2013. After their third-place finish at the SS-Finals, they finished in fourth place (and ahead of Palos Verdes) the following weekend.
A consistent Esperanza squad crossed the line with a fourth-place finish at the SS-Finals for their first trip to the State Meet since 2010. John Welch and Zane Cox led the Aztecs. Meanwhile, league foe and local rival, Brea Olinda took fifth place. Shane Gaffikin led the young crew as they return six from this year's team for 2019. This was the Wildcats 10th straight season of advancing onto the California State Meet.
Agoura worked their way back to the State Meet for the first time since 2015 with a sixth-place finish. The 
Chargers were led by junior Ryan Koepnick's sixth-place individual finish. Coming home in seventh place, Moorpark advanced onward to Fresno for the second year in a row. Junior Keith Murray will return as the top boy for 2019.
Individually, the returning champion, Kevin Ramos, continued to be amongst some of the best in California. He cruised to his second Division III title while moving on to take second place at the California State Meet. Ramos advanced as an individual entry to NXN for the second year in a row as well. Palos Verdes' Lantz was runner-up to Ramos at the SS-Finals while Moorpark's Murray improved upon his 24th place finish in 2017 to take third place this season. South Hills' Devin Hightower made the most of his first postseason trip with a fourth-place finish in qualifying for the State Meet. Nine of the top 15 finishers at the SS-Finals return back for 2019.
Surprise Teams: West Torrance, Esperanza
Surprise Individuals: Ryan Koepnick (Agoura), Jake Parker (West Torrance)