XC PREVIEW Southern Section Division 3

SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION 3 GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW

Chino senior Mia Chavez, coming off a steallar spring track season, is the top returning cross country runner from the 2019 Southern Section Division 3 race. (Raymond Tran photo)

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Unlike the boys, there is no clear-cut favorite going into the 2021 season. Palos Verdes outlasted Brea Olinda, 70-84 to claim the title in 2019, defending its championship from 2018. But, just about all of that group has graduated and they are reloading mode.  

The Sea Kings have qualified for the State Meet the past 13 postseasons, including winning seven titles! They have placed in the top three at the divisional finals every season since 2008 and boast one of the best resumes in recent history in the Southern Section. On paper, they only return three girls with sub-13 minute bests for the 3200 meters, but Anna Terrell (2:19.76/5:22.01) looks to lead them back to another State Meet. 

At the 2019 State Meet, Brea Olinda tied Palos Verdes but won on the tie-breaker to earn that State Meet plaque for third-place and a trip to the podium. The Wildcats return the firepower and come in with the most depth across the board in the division. With three girls running under 12:25 this past spring, Cassie Apahidean led the way with her 11:53.27 best. They are also the only squad with four girls with sub-5:45 lifetime bests, led by Kendra Painter's 5:21.92.  

Torrance has been a program on a rise in recent years as they placed sixth at the 2019 finals. One of the most improved girls in the section, Sequoia Gonzales impressed this past spring with 5:22.11/11:19.87 bests on the oval. Through the first four, they are projected as a lock for another trip to the State Meet but will need to answer some questions in regard to depth.  

South Torrance is in a position to advance to the State Meet for the fourth consecutive postseason. Sophomore Chloe Esponda rolled to a 5:18.98 best for 1600m on the track, while Katie Chung improved down to 11:51.27 in the 3200m. They are only one of four squads to return four girls that broke 13 minutes for the 3200 meters this past track season.

Esperanza features the best 1-2 punch up front in sophomore Ella Boyer and senior Nicole Reeves and if they can find those crucial fourth and fifth scorers, they should make their first trip to the State Meet since 2017.  Boyer emerged as one of the top freshmen in California with her 5:15.37/11:24.12 season while Reeves placed fifth at the 2019 CIF-SS Finals and qualified as an individual to the State Meet. 

Other squads that will be in the hunt for one of those seven spots to the State Meet, Dos Pueblos presents solid depth while Phoebe Wolfe-Lyons (11:50.61) leads the way. Also, watch for North Torrance Oak Park, and West Torrance. 

Individually, Chino senior Mia Chavez is the top returner and most talented runner in the division. As a sophomore, she placed third at the 2019 finals.  She is coming off a phenomenal track season that saw her race to a 2:08.16 for the 800 meters and a 4:55.72 for the full mile this past May. 

Agoura's Georgia McCorkle (Bib 22 competing at 2019 State Meet) also qualified for the State Meet as an individual in 2019. The senior ended the 2021 track season with a third-place finish at the 2021 Division 2 championships and comes into the cross country season with the top 3200m (10:58.14) in the division.     

Oak Park's Madison Parrone (11:07.56) and Cynthia Herrera of Canyon Country Canyon also project to finish in the top 10 coming into the season. Keep your eyes also on Sonora's Elizabeth Stetina, who improved down to a 5:03.59 in the 1600 meters.  

Esperanza's duo of Boyer and Reeves will also be in the front pack as will Gonzales of Torrance.   

Mark Gardner is a regular contributor to MileSplitCA and serves as the Southern Section editor.