XC 2022 CLOSER LOOK - NORTH COAST SECTION
Sophomore Hanne Thomsen (left) and senior Ellie Buckley (180) are not only two of the top returning runners in the North Coast Section, but two of the elites in the Golden State. (DeAnna Turner photo)
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The North Coast Section left a definitive mark on the final chapter of the 2021 cross country season. The NCS left the CIF-State Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno with four team champions out of the 10 races, four team runners-up, a combined 20 top-10 team finishes among boys and girls, three individual champions, three individual runners-up, and 13 individuals who placed among the top 10.
What we know heading into 2022 is that boys D-II runner-up Granada is projected to be even stronger, while boys D-IV champion Albany and D-V champion Lick Wilmerding head into the season with title defense as the ultimate goal.
The girls side isn't any different, as D-III champion Campolindo and D-V champion San Francisco University are pre-season favorites to repeat.
Individually, some of CA's best run the courses in the NCS led by returning D-III girls champion Hanne Thomsen (Montgomery), D-IV runner-up Olivia Williams (Acalanes), and D-III fifth-place finisher Ellie Buckley (Campolindo), among the girls. Sean Morello placed third in leading Albany to the D-IV title and Roland Ruckmann-Barnes was the D-II runner-up for Granada, the team runner-up.
Division Changes for 2022 -- Alameda, Livermore, Santa Rosa move to D-2; Eureka, John F. Kennedy, Piner, San Rafael move to D-3; De Anza, Justin-Siena, San Lorenzo, Vallejo move to D-4.
NCS Championship -- Saturday, November 19 at Hayward HS