It's time to get fired up for cross country! Our traditional XC countdown is back, although it will look a little different this time around - we just don't have as much quality data to approach it the way we have in the past. Instead, we will look at 25 boys and girls teams that we think will have an impact this fall in their section, in their division at the state meet, or even nationally. Unlike past countdowns, this year we're going to start with the clear contenders and then work toward some programs that might not be on your radar screen. As always, if you catch an error or have updated information for us, email editor Jeffrey Parenti (email at the bottom of every MileSplitCA page) and we'll make the corrections.
The Panthers just keep rolling along. Chico's girls posted absolutely dominant cross country results at both 5K and 3 miles within the Northern Section this past winter, although it looks like the pandemic and the unusual timing of the season did have an effect on their top-end quality and their depth. This was also the top team in the section during track season, putting 3 girls under 12 minutes for the 3200 and showing decent depth in the returning team 1600 rankings. None of that is terribly surprising, though - this was the top-ranked team in the CIF-NS for freshmen and sophomores back in 2019, again for both 5K and 3 miles.
What IS surprising is the fact that the Panthers accomplished their 2020-2021 rankings with only 2 runners that were also in the 2019 rankings. Chico's #1 returner from two years ago, Sophie Sims, hasn't recorded a time since the 2019 cross country season, and she isn't alone. If Sims returns, she could join with fellow rising seniors Una Griffith and Carsen Quintero, as well as Iresh and Della Molina, to form an impressive leadership group for the team in the fall.
Junior Ella Solecki led the team in the 1600 this past spring, which could be a signal that she is ready to join that front pack as well. Unfortunately, the depth in the junior class is thin (only one other runner under 6 minutes). An even bigger problem: the Panthers didn't have a single freshman record a time in the distance races during the spring, and only one who raced during the winter.
Putting all of that information together, I see a team with enough talent to defend their Northern Section championship this fall, but they will need to develop a lot of young talent to continue the streak beyond 2021.