Statewide Rankings by Division - Nov. 27 Update

BOYS

1. Sir Francis Drake (NC) -- Won the NCS D4 title with a strong performance. They have a potent front five, but depth could be a concern if they aren't hitting on all cylinders this weekend. Was Saturday's performance their best, or do they have another gear to hold off the Southern Section challengers?

2. Foothill Tech (SS) -- (Pictured) Ran like a state champion contender at Southern Section finals, and may not have been forced to show their best. This is really a case of co-favorites, both clearly the best teams in their respective sections. Don't bet against Coach Reeves!

3. Cathedral (SS) -- Excellent performance at section finals vaults them into podium contention here. This team is not as strong up front as Foothill or Laguna Beach, but is better at 5 and 6 than either of them. If they run well as a pack Saturday, a podium finish is definitely in reach.

4. Laguna Beach (SS) -- Excellent top 4, but the gap between them and the rest of the top 7 could be their undoing at the State Meet.

5. King City (CC) -- If they can replicate their CCS Finals performance, they can be top 5 - but they will have to improve on that performance to make the podium.

6. Scotts Valley (CC) -- Could be out for local revenge as well as statewide recognition, after narrow loss to King City in the CCS Finals.

7. Crawford (SD) -- Performed very well at the SDS Finals, with a strong and tight top 5. If all 5 race well Saturday, this could be a top 5 team, but if anyone has an off day there isn't much depth behind them.

8. Sage Creek (SD) -- We've been eyeing this team for a while, waiting for a clear indication that they can contend. A strong race on a tough course last weekend convinced us.

9. Wilson Hacienda Heights (SS) -- Depth issues after their top 4 led to a solid but underwhelming CIF-SS Finals performance. If they can get a better performance from just one of their 5-6-7 runners from last weekend, they could catch some of the higher teams on this list off guard. 

10. Calaveras (SJ) -- Very good performance on a tough Willow Hills course makes me think that even this rating may be too low.

GIRLS

1. Sage Creek (SD) -- Swept the top 7 spots in the SDS Division 4 title race, all under 19:10 on the tough Morley Field course. Woodward Park will be a breeze by comparison, and this team looks primed for a monster performance. Good competition from Menlo could help push this team into the top 4 overall Saturday.

2. Menlo School (CC) -- In any other year, this team would be a favorite for the championship. They had the bad luck to draw the one year that saw another D4 team rise all the way into fringe NXN consideration. On the one hand, an upset win would be monumental given the attention Sage Creek has received; on the other hand, Menlo is closer than people think.

3. Orange Lutheran (SS) -- Dominated in the CIF-SS finals, establishing themselves as podium favorites and possible top two contenders. What a loaded year in girls' D4 competition! This team would also be a state title contender most years, and there is a clear drop-off after these top three that will be hard to bridge.

4. Laguna Beach (SS) --  Emerged from the next tier of Southern Section teams with a 2nd-place finals finish. This team would need to close up the gap between #3 and #4 to have a chance to crack the top 3 this weekend, but should have momentum to achieve top 5.

5. Covina (SS) -- Not nearly as strong up front as Laguna Beach, which might hurt even more at the state meet. On the other hand, this team is much better 4-6, and a good pack performance could bump them up the standings this weekend.

6. Mayfield (SS) -- Powerhouse No. 1 runner and solid 2-5, but lack depth behind that. With a good race from that front 5 this team can be top 5.

7. Piedmont (NC) -- Defeated Miramonte in the NCS Finals this past weekend with a good top-to-bottom performance. This team has solid depth, which helps a lot at the state meet in case one runner has an off day. Could be a sleeper team for the top 5.

8. El Segundo (SS) -- Depth after the top 3 is their main weakness, but it would only take one breakout race from someone in their 4-7 range to propel them up the charts.

9. Foothill Technology (SS) -- Loaded top two and a solid 3-7 pack, but the gap between those two groups is too large to allow them to contend this year (unless we're being lulled into a false sense of security).

10. Costa Mesa (SS) -- Similar to Mayfield but just not quite as deep; they need all of their top 5 to be on their game this weekend to succeed.