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.
We could see a close battle for supremacy among the LA City Section boys this fall, but for the moment it looks like Palisades Charter is in the driver's seat. The Dolphins led the section in the returning team 1600 rankings despite their top 2 runners graduating this past spring, and they also displayed the most depth of the LACS contenders. They would have ranked 1st in the section in returning team 3200, as well, but they only had 4 runners post marks in that event.
Those results on the track didn't come out of nowhere - dating back to 2019, Palisades had the best group of freshmen and sophomores in the section by a wide margin. That means the team has a solid core that has been with them for at least 2 years, even if those years have been very difficult for consistent training. Rising seniors Jose Sevilla, Alec Schmitt, David Tobin, and Noah Wexler should be well-motivated to claim the section crown in their final cross country season.
The runner that really jumps out from the spring, though, is rising sophomore Max Fields. He led the Dolphins in both the 1600 (4:37) and 3200 (9:55) this past spring, so it will be exciting to see his first cross country season play out. He should challenge Wexler (15:31 for 3 miles in 2019) for the top spot on the team, which makes both of them better. If the projected 3-7 runners, who seem to be close in time to each other, can also stay close to the front two, this team will be a tough out come the Los Angeles City Section finals.