DIVISION IV
BOYS
1. Cathedral (SS) - They keep coming out on top of D4 splits from the meets they compete in, from Woodbridge to Nike Portland. This is an experienced team that should be a state title contender, and may even be the favorite.
2. Sir Francis Drake (NC) - Went toe-to-toe with big powerhouses Bellarmine, Dublin, and Jesuit at De La Salle and finished 6th (likewise for a 5th-place finish at Lowell). I suspect they haven't come close to revealing their full strength, but there is enough here to make me excited.
3. Scotts Valley (CC) - Won the Jackie Henderson Memorial Invitational over MUCH bigger schools, and also won the Artichoke Invitational. This is the best team in the CCS and looks like a contender at the state level.
4. Foothill Technology (SS) - Strong performance at Cool Breeze early in the season, and also raced well at Central Park; typically quiet season for a school that usually emerges with a vengeance in the championship season.
5. Laguna Beach (SS) - Ranks high in the 3 Mile standings with a combination of times from Woodbridge, Temecula Twilight, and Cool Breeze, but they haven't put together a team performance at a single meet to beat the squads above them. Yet.
6. Fillmore (SS) - Racing well in major meets against other top D4 teams, including at Cool Breeze and Nike Portland (where they ran very comparable to Cathedral).
7. King City (CC) - Won at Gilroy and placed well at Jackie Henderson, and has the talent to push Scotts Valley in what is shaping up to be a strong CCS D4 race.
8. Oaks Christian (SS) - One of the few D4 teams that grades out well for both 3 Miles and 5K, the Lions look like a legitimate contender in the Southern Section.
9. Acalanes (NC) - The Dons score well in a merge of all races at Capital Cross, even against much bigger schools, and they won their division over Pacific Grove. They have work to do to stay on top of this race, but Acalanes gets my nod as the top D4 team so far this season.
10. Pacific Grove (CC) - Strong races in three major invitationals, including fast 5K times at Capital Cross, have the Breakers looking like a dark horse in the Central Coast.
GIRLS
1. Sage Creek (SD) - No surprise here, as I ranked them very high in the preseason countdown (and they have been better than I expected). For a Division IV team to finish seventh at Woodbridge is incredible! This group is in the second tier of teams state-wide regardless of division, and they should be considered heavy title favorites.
2. Menlo School (CC) - If there has been a surprise near the top of this list, it's how close the Knights score compared to Sage Creek in the rankings. Menlo made the trip to Woodbridge count, outracing a host of Southern Section D-IV contenders.
3. Piedmont (NC) - This team could be considered top 2 depending on how you prioritize things. The Highlanders had a monster performance at Capital Cross, destroying the other D4 teams there and ranking 9th among all teams regardless of division.
4. Orange Lutheran (SS) - There is a pretty significant drop-off after the top 3 teams on this list (at least with the data we have so far), but the Lancers have the best credentials of the next tier of squads after a strong showing at Woodbridge.
5. Laguna Beach (SS) - Looked strong at Woodbridge and also at Lucky Lindy in Minnesota (!) earlier this season. I particularly like their depth, which should pay off during the grind to get to the State Meet.
6. Covina (SS) - Don't overlook this team because of the blistering times at the new Temecula Twilight course - the colts are legit.
7. Miramonte (NC) - Looked good as a team at the Pacific Invitational, dominating the small schools race there and ranking 8th overall regardless of division.
8. El Segundo (SS) - They have a strong leader in Sophia Zago, but their depth is worrisome. Still the potential is there for a top 10 finish at the State Meet.
9. Marin Catholic (NC) - This team could be much better than 9th, but with only one major invitational on their record it's hard to tell.
10. Oaks Christian (SS) - Very strong showing at Nike Twilight in Washington, although they didn't have a good day at Woodbridge.
Others - These teams have very strong returning talent, but haven't shown enough data on the season to get into the top 10 yet. We prefer not to guess about the strength (and health) of a team without actual racing to base it on, but we're certain these squads will be top 10 by season's end.
- Harvard Westlake (SS) - Theoretically loaded with talent, but we haven't seen their top 3 race yet.
- Foothill Tech (SS) - Haven't put together a complete top 7 performance yet.