After last weekend's action where we witnessed the CIF-SS Divisional finals, to go along with qualifying action in the Central, Central-Coast, San Diego, and Sac-Joaquin sections - we had some slight shuffling of our California team state rankings.
The inaugural 4x800 relay may also play a major role in determining the state champion.
Our subjective rankings are based on the new scoring system that the California State Meet is using this year where ninth place is now granted 0.5 points.
These subjective team rankings are based on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1-0.5 scoring system.
BOYS TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Granada Hills (LA) 44 points
Dijon Stanley, Jordan Coleman, and both short relays; GHC very well win BOTH relays
2. Long Beach Poly (SS) 37 points
Xai Ricks moving up in the 400, projected points in the 800, and expected strong showing in the 4x800 and 4x400
3. Buchanan (CS) 34 points
Points expected in both throws and triple jump, along with favored Hilton Green in the pole vault and the favored 4x800 as the top team
4. JSerra (SS) 31 points
Jake Stafford moves way up the charts in the high jump to go along with Brendon See in both throws
5. Mater Dei (SS) 23 points
Brandon Gorski favored in the high jump, Logan Lyght in the 110 hurdles, and Jared McDuffie in the triple jump
6. (tie) Clovis North (CS) 21 points
Nickolas Miller is slated to score in three events along with points in the throws
6 (tie). Serra-Gardena (SS) 20 points
Rodrick Pleasant projected to defend both titles in the 100 and 200
8. (tie) Upland (SS) 18 points
Could Davis Davis-Lyric take home titles in both hurdles?
8. Jordan (SS) 18 points
Jordan Washington should challenge for big points in the sprints
10. (tie) Wilson-Long Beach (SS) 16 points
Expecting strong finishes in the 4x800 and 4x400 relays
10. (tie) Redondo Union (SS) 16 points
Expecting strong points from thrower Kai Deines and pole vaulter Dylan Curtis
* * *
GIRLS TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. Wilson-Long Beach (SS) 38 points
Aujane Luckey and Kaylin Edwards-led Bruins also expecting huge points in the sprint relays
2. Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (SS) 34 points
April Fontenette and Aja Johnson trying to go 1-2 in both throws
3. Carson (LA) 32.5 points
Reign Redmond primed to defend 100m title, plus the state-leading 4x100 relay
4. Castaic (SS) 27 points
Meagan Humphries ... . Full stop.
5. Buchanan (CS) 25 points
Bears are loaded with the 4x800, pole vaulter Jordan Leveque, and the deep distance crew
6. Oaks Christian (SS) 24 points
Niya Clayton, and Rayah Rodriguez looking for points in the sprints along with Payton Godsey (3200)
7. Serra-Gardena (SS) 21 points
Brazil Neal looking for huge sprint points along with the 4x100m relay
8. Ventura (SS) 21 points
Sadie Engelhardt and projected points in the high jump
9. Orange Vista (SS) 21 points
Kailah McKenzie looking for points in the jumps and 100 hurdles
10. Lincoln-Stockton (SJ) 20 points
Yvette Harris seeking titles in both hurdles
Mark Gardner is a teacher, former coach, popular announcer, and an associate editor for MileSplitCA
Photos by Raymond Tran