30 Boys Teams to Watch this Fall: Torrey Pines (SD)


It's time to get fired up for cross country! Our traditional XC countdown is back, although it may look a little different this time around - our longtime data analyst Jeff George has moved on, leaving this energizing project to the MileSplit team in CA. Our collective goal is to briefly highlight 30 boys and 30 girls teams that we think will have an impact this fall. We will spotlight one team per gender per day over a 30-day period. Similar to past countdowns, we will provide a cross-sampling of teams from all 10 sections without regard to statewide or even division ranking (those will come later, as will articles previewing each section, and returning athletes to watch). As always, if you catch an error or have updated information for us, email CA state editor Jeffrey Parenti (jeffrey.parenti@flosports.tv) and we'll make the corrections.




Torrey Pines (SD/Division I)

Well, some might call this a reach since the Falcons didn't even have five runners finish in last year's State Meet. But with illness gone and plenty of runners returning led by track standout Ryan Thomas (1:52.34 and 4:16.01 for 800m and 1600m and fifth in the San Diego Section D-I cross country finals at 15:50.0), a return to the State Cross Country Championships to make up for the disastrous 2021 wouldn't be a surprise.

The key will be big-time improvement from juniors Nathan Christmore (14th in the section at 16:01.3) and Saul Johnson (21st at 16:12.0) plus big jumps by last year's sophs Spencer Borin, Jonas Rickert, and Matt Conway.

Anything in the top 15 of this ridiculously tough division would be a strong showing.


2021 Returning Times for 5000 Meters

Torrey Pines (SD)
1) Ryan Thomas16:13.30120
2) Matt Conway16:17.30134
3) Nathan Christmore16:50.80272
4) Saul Johnson16:56.30301
5) Spencer Borin16:57.90312
Average Time: 16:39.12 Total Time: 1:23:15.60 1-5 Split: 44.60
6) Jonas Rickert17:29.20510
7) Bryce Conover17:45.10614



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Steve Brand is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to MileSplit.

Photos by Phil Grooms