Turn Up the Heat for the Riverside Invite

Despite going up against one of the most prestigious invitationals in the United States - the Mt. SAC Invite - the Riverside Invitational has carved out its own niche in the Cross Country scene within the Southern Section.

When Mt. SAC went under construction for a new stadium and athletic facility, the CIF-SS offices reached out to find another course in the meantime.  The folks in Riverside reached back and created their own original course that now meets all of the needs in securing a postseason facility!  The Riverside Championship Cross Country Course has become the staple for the Southern Section as it now hosts the divisional prelims and finals every November.  The 2019 season marks the fourth year that it has been the gateway to the California State Meet.  Able to hold 24 teams on the starting line has been a major perk in that more teams and individuals now qualify onward to their respective divisional finals.  

With that, some strong programs in the section use this invite to get their athletes on the championship course and prep themselves for greater performances several weeks from now.  

The early morning varsity races will highlight the action with the Girls Varsity taking off at 8:10, while the boys begin at 8:30 am.  These are solely for those squads accepted into the Division 1 races.  The meet is split up into a three-divisional format, with a heavy emphasis placed on the program's strength from the 2019 season.  

Team Preview:
Newbury Park is the most talented team on the docket but their varsity squad will sit this one out in lieu of their 'B' team.  Quartz Hill, led by freshman Brieanne Smith, is coming off a monster performance at the Clovis Invite two weeks ago that placed them into the Division 1 State Meet conversation.  Vista Murrieta, who placed seventh at the 2018 NXN meet and runner-up at the California State Meet, are beginning to click on all cylinders and prepping for another great November.  They will be resting out several top runners that are already familiar with the course.  Ayala is coming off back-to-back stellar efforts the past two weekends as well.  While Aliso Niguel shined at last weekend's Orange County Championships, just ahead of Foothill, Dana Hills and Tesoro, Beckman is looking to positively rebound from the same race.  While San Clemente is another top-ranked squad, their headliner, Hana Catsimanes, is competing at the Mt. SAC Invite while the rest of the squad makes the trek to Riverside.   

Top Girls' Individuals:
Shaina Berk (Ayala)
Katie Farr (Foothill)
Nadine Gomez (Warren)
Maria Hernandez (Santa Ana)
Hailey Kirsch  (Valencia)
Sarah Klem (Woodbridge)
Estella Knobbe (Beckman)
Allura Markow (Dana Hills)
Clara Meade (Tesoro)
Audrey Landis (Northwood)
Megan Oh (Ayala)
Emily Richards (Aliso Niguel)
Riley Rodriguez (Upland)
Carly Schuerger (Aliso Niguel)
Rebecca Schultz (Westlake)
Brianne Smith (Quartz Hill)
Kelsey Yamano (San Clemente)

Boys Team Preview:
On the top boys' side, Newbury Park will get their young pups onto the course in their preparation work for next month where they are HEAVY favorites to capture the Division 2 crown again.  They will sit out the majority of their varsity squad this weekend.  Right behind them in our Top 25 SS Team Rankings is Dana Hills.  The Dolphins will be sitting out several varsity members as they come off capturing their fifth straight title at the Orange County Championships last weekend.  La Serna has put it into another gear this month and now, sits right there atop the Division 1 landscape (behind Great Oak) with the Mustangs of Roosevelt.  

Top Boys' Individuals:
Tristan Amell (Santa Monica)
Gerald Baltzer (La Serna)
Taylor Bramel (Foothill)
Logan Brooks (Laguna Beach)
Jeremiah Castellano (Upland)
Raul Chavez (Roosevelt)
Jesse Del Carmen (Santa Ana)
Jai Dawson (Dana Hills)
Dylan Gatua (West Ranch)
Jacob Hsu (Arcadia)
Zeid Hussain (Beckman)
Owen Kobett (Westlake)
Ben McKenna (Aliso Niguel)
Michael Sahagun (Roosevelt)
Cameron Smith (Quartz Hill)
Ryan Welton (Woodbridge)
Leo Young (Newbury Park)