The top 3 predictions for the CIF State XC Championships, straight from Joshua Potts, MileSplit West editor.
Boys Preview
Division 1 Boys
Teams: 1) Arnold O. Beckman, 2) San Clemente, 3) Menlo-Atherton
Quick Take: Beckman and San Clemente have been neck-and-neck all season, with Beckman wining the big three matchups: Clovis (tiebreaker), South Coast League Finals (36-37), and CIF-SS Finals (102-106). They enter State with the slightest advantage.
HM Teams: Crescenta Valley, Mira Costa, Bellarmine Prep, Redondo Union, Clovis North
Individuals: 1) Maximo Zavaleta, 2) Conor Lott 3) Elias Thronson
Quick Take: While Maximo Zavelta's impressive 14:44 at Clovis and front-running comfort make him a strong contender for the CIF State XC title, defending champion Conor Lott and sophomore Elias Thronson will challenge him in this wide-open race.
HM Individuals: Stephen Sizebert Jace Deledonne, Mario Montoya, Mattheus Dos Santos, Yohan Anderson
Division 1 Girls
Teams: 1) Buchanan, 2) Mira Costa, 3) Santiago (Corona)
Quick Take: Mira Costa is surging, but Buchanan's combination of front-running and pack stability still makes them the clear favorite.
HM Teams: Trabuco Hills, Great Oak, Davis, Oak Ridge
Individuals: 1) Braelyn Combe, 2) Jaelyn Williams, 3) Millie Bayles
Quick Take: It's hard to bet against Combe, who hasn't lost to a D1 girl since Jaelyn Williams at the Woodbridge XC Classic. Plus, she crushed the Mt. SAC XC invite record last month.
HM Individuals: Elizabeth Jacklin, Kaydence Manjarezz, Alana Clarke
Division 2 Boys
Teams: 1) Jesuit, 2) Dos Pueblos, 3) Woodbridge
Quick Take: Jesuit has been ranked second in the country most of the year, making it a major upset if they were to lose. After a D2 CIF-SS win, Dos Pueblos moves into the second spot because of its proven track record of performing well at State.
HM Teams: Vacaville, Mountain View, La Serna, Hart, Mt. Carmel
Individuals: 1) Aidan Antonio, 2) Connor Bilodeau, 3) Alijah Murillo
Notes: Since his top CA finish at the Woodbridge XC Classic, Aidan Antonio has arguably been the best runner in the state, and someone will have to stop him from claiming the D2 individual title.
HM Individuals: Benjamin Fernandez, Michael Ortega, Lyle Mideros, Cooper Stream, Jaxon Northcutt
Division 2 Girls
Teams: 1) Whitney, 2) Claremont, 3) Westlake
Quick Take: This title will be decided by the 4-5-6 runners-Whitney, Claremont, and Westlake all match up closely up front.
HM Teams: St. Francis (CC), Mountain View, Mt. Carmel, Tesoro
Individuals: 1) Aelo Curtis, 1) Summer Wilson, 3) Amaya Bharadwaj
Quick Take: Can we just make it a tie? Summer Wilson may have set the 3-mile national record with a 15:14, but Aelo Curtus also beat her convincingly earlier this year on the State course. This the race will either be a knockout, go the distance, or be an Amaya Bharadwaj surprise.
HM Individuals: Breanna Mannion, Isla Bulmer, Khloe DeLaTorre, Olivia Campos, Anais Cruz
Division 3 Boys
Teams: 1) Campolindo, 2) West Torrance, 3) Oak Park
Quick Take: Campolindo and West Torrance have been dominant all season in their respective sections, but it remains to be seen who will rise to the top at the CIF State XC Meet.
HM Teams: West Ranch, Palos Verdes, Cathedral Catholic
Individuals: 1) Oliver Hunter, 2) Andres Lomeli, 3) Noel Huato
Quick Take: It will be a battle of D3's top returners, headlined by Oliver Hunter. He competed against the best in the state to start the season without winning, but since his League Championship, he's improved each week.
HM Individuals: Michael Scarince, Brauillo Castillo, Nathan Wilber, Dylan Mehnert
Division 3 Girls
Teams: 1) St. Francis, 2) Santa Margarita, 3) El Toro
Quick Take: This team race is truly up for grabs-no clear favorite, but all signs point to a battle between St. Francis, Santa Margarita, and El Toro.
Quick Take: The podium isn't locked, but Salim and Gutierez should dictate the pace. If it turns tactical late, Gretchen Yakaitis or Carol Dye could secure an individual championship.
HM: Carol Dye, Tayn Coultson, Harper Diaz, Isabella Wroblewski, Gwen Williams
Division 4 Boys
Teams: 1) JSerra Catholic, 2) Foothill Technology, 3) Sage Creek
Quick Take: The higher-level race experience from JSerra helped them barely squeak by Foothill Tech at CIF-SS, and they can do that again at State, but it won't be easy.
HM Teams: Harvard Westlake, St Mary's College, Oaks Christian
Individuals: 1) Josiah Bowman, 2) Vin Krueger, 3) Sebastian Taylor
Quick Take: Josiah Bowman looks formidable after an outstanding track season, but D4 features immense depth that will make the race come down to the wire.
HM Individuals: Tucker Presnell, Charles Abemayor, Sterling White, Jackson Levasseur
Division 4 Girls
Teams: 1) JSerra Catholic, 2) Archie Williams, 3) Sage Creek
Quick Take: The No. 1 team in the nation, JSerra, should dominate while racing the clock for NXN. Archie Williams and Sage Creek battle for runner-up
HM Teams: Big Bear, Oaks Christian, Scotts Valley, La Jolla
Individuals: 1) Chiara Dailey, 2) Maya Pawlowicz, 3) Giselle Fernandez
Quick Take: Chiara Dailey is likely chasing the meet's fastest time again. Maya Palowicz has been JSerra's steady leader in big moments this season, although the top runner often changes.
HM Individuals: Monserrat Santillan Silva, Reese Holley, Ava Decleve, Brooke Lee
Division 5 Boys
Teams: 1) San Francisco University, 2) Viewpoint, 3) Ontario Christian
Quick Take: San Francisco University has been the most consistent D5 squad all fall, but the margin for error is slim in a tightly packed division
HM Teams: 1) Blake Bay, 2) Olly O'Connor, 3) Ryan Fitzpatrick
Quick Take: O'Connor looks unstoppable, but Blake Bay's lighter late-season schedule could give him the edge. Expect one of the fastest times of the day.
HM Individuals: Henry Hauser, Jack Richter, Mehari Winheim, Declan Mansbridge
Division 5 Girls
Teams: 1) Immanuel, 2) San Francisco University, 3) Crystal Springs Upland
Quick Take: Immanuel returns its full lineup from last year's runner-up team and has looked strongest on the Woodward Park layout.
HM Teams: Lick-Wilmerding, Branson, Viewpoint
Individuals: 1) Elliana Patterson, 2) Ella Mogannam, 3) Farah Allen
Quick Take: The rise of Eliana Patterson has been undeniable, but she hasn't faced the North Coast Section girls who are striving for the individual title.
HM Individuals: Ariella Llorens, Ayanna Hickey,
