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.
I'll be honest: I had a hard time deciding between Skyline and Oakland Tech for the top team in the Oakland Section coming into the fall, and I think it could go either way (which should make for an exciting season!). The two teams traded head-to-head wins in the abbreviated cross country season this past winter, and both have a combination of younger talent and solid senior leadership. Oakland Tech holds a slight edge in the frosh/soph rankings from 2019 and in the 2020 returning team 5K rankings for the section.
What tips the scales in favor of the Titans for me is their track results, where they top the section in both the returning 3200 and the returning 1600 rankings. In particular, rising junior Andy Ixtabalan Argueta had a breakout spring semester, setting himself up to be the top individual in the section this coming fall. Skyline also showed noticeably better depth at both 1600 and 3200, which gives me confidence that this team was in good shape heading into summer training.
Of course, a lot can happen between school years, which is why the Titans will be counting on seniors Leo Mates-Muchin and Durrell Freeman to provide the leadership needed to bring everything together. Aside from those two, Skyline will be all juniors and sophomores this fall, which means they have a wide window to contend. It doesn't look like the battle for Oakland supremacy is going to quiet down anytime soon!