DIVISION IV
Skyler and Stormy Wallace lead a Sage Creek team looking to defend its State D-IV title. (Credit: Steve Brand)
BOYS
1. Sir Francis Drake (NC) - Boys team was off Saturday, so we will have to wait a bit to see them compete again.
2. Scotts Valley (CC) - Won solidly over King City at Monterey Bay on Saturday, without Logan Ross in the lineup. This team will be tough to beat going forward.
3. Foothill Technology (SS) - Off last weekend, but we should see them at Mt. SAC, where a lot of the Southern Section's elite teams will show us their stuff.
4. Cathedral (SS) - Off this past weekend, but we WILL get to see them at Mt. SAC. Are you sensing a theme?
5. South Pasadena (SS) - Can't wait to see the Mt. SAC merge of just D4 teams next week! Will we have a shakeup among all these CIF-SS contenders?
6. Laguna Beach (SS) - Boys sat out the OC Championships to compete at Rough Rider, but it looks like they were missing 2-3 of their normal top 7. We'll give them a mulligan for this week.
7. King City (CC) - Finished second at Monterey Bay to only Scotts Valley, and defeated a San Lorenzo Valley team that we've been keeping our eye on. Solid squad that could sneak up on some people outside the CCS.
8. Fillmore (SS) - Best D-IV team at Rough Rider (note Laguna Beach above), has a ton of depth with a tight pack (22 seconds from 1-7 this past weekend).
9. JSerra (SS) - Strong performance at OC Champs, but did not face Laguna Beach there. Will six-deep be enough for the championship grind yet to come?
10. Calaveras (SJ) - Lost narrowly to Fillmore at Rough Rider, but did beat a slightly shorthanded Acalanes team there. This was a VERY close call for the last spot, but I give the nod to the Mighty Reds this time.
GIRLS
1. Sage Creek (SD) - The preseason favorites were off this week, but two weekends ago they went to Washington and defeated Mira Costa, almost beating Vista Murrieta, without No. 1 gun Skyler Wallace. Still the team to beat, but the State Meet will bring a major challenge.
2. Menlo School (CC) - Dominated the D-IV competition at Rough Rider even though they were missing usual No. 1 and No. 3 runners - a very impressive performance that could show them closing the gap on Sage Creek.
3. Orange Lutheran (SS) - Defeated Laguna Beach head to head in the OC Champs Sweeps race, but it was closer than the score indicates - the battle for the CIF-SS title is going to be very interesting.
4. Laguna Beach (SS) - Back in action and performed very well, justifying their spot in these rankings.
5. Mayfield (SS) - Off this past weekend.
6. Marin Catholic (NC) - Off this past weekend.
7. South Pasadena (SS) - Off this past weekend.
8. Piedmont (NC) - Off this past weekend.
9. Covina (SS) - Has been laying low just a bit, with no invitationals since October 5th, but we will see them back in action this weekend.
10. Miramonte (NC) - Ran without two top 5 runners at Mariner/Phil Wilder, and still finished 12th against teams from all divisions there.
Others: Harvard Westlake (SS) - Still waiting to see their full roster compete; if everyone is healthy, they have the talent to make the podium at State.