The California cross country season is less than a month away, and counting down the Top 21 Girls and Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today, the countdown begins with No. 21-16 on the boys list. Be sure to check back throughout the week as we unveil the rest of the rankings and continue our preseason cross country coverage.
Note: This list analyzes last year's cross country, track and field improvements, program history, and each team's potential this season. It is not intended to predict the exact order of finish at the CIF State Championships, but highlights California teams to watch this fall.
Just Outside - Mira Costa (SS)
2025 Season: 16th at Nike Cross Nationals, 3rd in D1 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Only one athlete returns from Mira Costa's Nike Cross Nationals team.
Why Watch?: Despite graduating nearly their entire NXN lineup, Mira Costa remains a program impossible to overlook. The Mustangs have finished in the top five at the CIF State Championships every season since 2021, proving they're one of California's most consistent Division 1 programs. Their top 5 returners averaged 4:25 in the 1600m and 9:43 in the 3200m this spring, suggesting the talent is there. However, will this immense talent translate to another top 5 finish at the CIF State Championships?
| 1) Killian Cistone | 15:34.80 | 67 | |||
| 2) Sean Liu | 16:23.00 | 353 | |||
| 3) Franklin Rodgers | 16:24.90 | 375 | |||
| 4) Owen Phelps | 16:28.90 | 408 | |||
| 5) Ben Barnes | 16:39.30 | 518 | |||
Average Time: 16:18.18 Total Time: 1:21:30.90 1-5 Split: 1:04.50 | |||||
| 6) Theo Kimble | 16:42.60 | 563 | |||
| 7) Brady Pazzia | 17:06.70 | 876 | |||
21. Poway (SD)
2025 Season: 9th in D1 CIF State XC Championships, Reigning D1 CIF San Diego Section XC Champions
Who's Returning: Four athletes return from Poway's CIF State lineup, including four members of the Class of 2028.
Why Watch?: Poway's "Fantastic Four" from the Class of 2028 enters its junior season with another year of development. Keith Buswell (1:52 800m) and Blake Littrell (4:16 1600m) emerged as legitimate stars during the track season, giving the Titans two runners capable of leading another championship-caliber squad. If Poway can develop an even stronger #5 runner, don't be surprised if they become a real D1 CIF State Championship contender.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Blake Littrell | 15:27.40 | 49 | |||
| 2) Dylan Nash | 15:52.60 | 135 | |||
| 3) Keith Buswell | 16:00.90 | 194 | |||
| 4) Joshua Rocha | 16:11.40 | 266 | |||
| 5) Aaron Moyse | 17:16.50 | 1031 | |||
Average Time: 16:09.76 Total Time: 1:20:48.80 1-5 Split: 1:49.10 | |||||
| 6) Landon Greene | 17:19.60 | 1068 | |||
| 17:46.90 | 1516 | ||||
20. Menlo School (CC)
2025 Season: Runner-Up in D5 CIF State XC Championships, Reigning D5 CIF Central Coast Section XC Champions
Who's Returning: Only two athletes are leaving Menlo's CIF State team from last season, and both finished in their scoring top 5.
Why Watch?: After finishing 7th in last year's D5 CIF State XC Championships, Henry Hauser ran 4:08 and 1:52 during the track season, emerging as California's top double threats. With Henry Hauser leading the way, Menlo may have one of the most dangerous low sticks in Division 5 this fall. Additionally, Oliver Olbekson continues to improve after hitting 4:18 as a sophomore. If their #3-5 runners can stay close, they could challenge for another CIF State Championship podium finish.
Potential Top 7 (Based on 5K PRs)
| 1) Henry Hauser | 15:29.90 | 52 | |||
| 2) Oliver Olbekson | 15:56.60 | 164 | |||
| 3) Toliver Bates | 16:23.50 | 357 | |||
| 4) Jack Harman | 16:26.90 | 396 | |||
| 5) Jonah Block | 16:51.40 | 669 | |||
Average Time: 16:13.66 Total Time: 1:21:08.30 1-5 Split: 1:21.50 | |||||
| 6) Ethan Shapero | 17:02.70 | 814 | |||
| 7) Gabe Parish | 18:07.22 | 1877 | |||
19. Bellarmine Prep (CC)
2025 Season: 8th in D1 CIF State XC Championships, Runer-Up in D1 CIF Central Coast Section XC Champions
Who's Returning: Three athletes return from Bellarmine's CIF State lineup, including inlcluding Duncan Burk, who finished 56th.
Why Watch?: Although Bellarmine is losing a premier low-stick in Stephen Sizebert, they are gaining a squad that looks to have an impressive close spread. Bellarmine demonstrated their consistent depth during the track season, where their top 5 returning runners averaged 9:48 in the 3200m. The Central Coast's reputation for developing great teams over the years could carry them back into the title conversation.
Potential Top 7 (Based on 5K PRs)
| 1) Duncan Burk | 15:32.87 | 61 | |||
| 2) Shashank Nandakumar | 15:40.30 | 85 | |||
| 3) Abhinav Aggarwal | 15:49.26 | 125 | |||
| 4) Ronil Shah | 16:01.38 | 196 | |||
| 5) Sebastian Salcedo | 16:22.37 | 348 | |||
Average Time: 15:53.24 Total Time: 1:19:26.18 1-5 Split: 49.50 | |||||
| 6) Kyle Sunhedra | 16:28.02 | 403 | |||
| 7) Spencer Maffeo | 16:35.95 | 480 | |||
18. Crescenta Valley (SS)
2025 Season: 7th in D1 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from Crescenta Valley's CIF State lineup.
Why Watch?: As underclassmen, Enzo Dik (10th) and Owen Burton (9th) excelled during the track season following a strong cross country season. Dik qualified for the CIF SS Masters meet in the 1600m with a PR of 4:14, while Owen Burton ran 4:18, making him one of the best freshmen in the nation. As these two will fight to lead the Falcons, there's already a strong pack of #3-6 runners that gives Crescenta Valley one of the better returning packs in Division 1
| 1) Enzo Dik | 15:28.40 | 51 | |||
| 2) Isaac Johnson | 15:30.10 | 55 | |||
| 3) Owen Burton | 15:57.70 | 169 | |||
| 4) Izaac Rodriguez | 16:02.90 | 206 | |||
| 5) Kanoa Moreno | 16:37.40 | 495 | |||
Average Time: 15:55.30 Total Time: 1:19:36.50 1-5 Split: 1:09.00 | |||||
| 6) Kenji Ross | 16:45.60 | 606 | |||
| 7) Cian Byrne | 17:02.10 | 808 | |||
17. Saugus (SS)
2025 Season: 11th in D2 CIF State XC Championships, 3rd in D1 CIF Southern Section XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from Saugus' CIF State lineup, including their crucial #3 and #4 runners.
Why Watch?: While Adrian Cantu is a D2 CIF State title contender after finishing 5th last year, there's no doubt Saugus will be a contender. Their success will hinge on a tight pack developing among their #3-5 runners and on Henry Saywell closing the gap on Cantu to form a 1-2 punch. Saywell ran PRs of 4:20 and 1:54 during the track season, making him a key athlete to watch for Saugus.
| 1) Adrian Cantu | 14:54.10 | 4 | |||
| 2) Henry Saywell | 15:38.30 | 76 | |||
| 3) Preston Lovelace | 16:19.90 | 328 | |||
| 4) Tyler Wollin | 16:33.00 | 449 | |||
| 5) Joey Kasahara | 16:40.60 | 536 | |||
Average Time: 16:01.18 Total Time: 1:20:05.90 1-5 Split: 1:46.50 | |||||
| 6) Santiago Dominguez | 17:34.10 | 1290 | |||
| 7) Kurt Shively | 17:56.30 | 1680 | |||
16. Trabuco Hills (SS)
2025 Season: 6th in D1 CIF State XC Championships, 3rd in D1 CIF Southern Section XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from Trabuco Hills' CIF State lineup, including their #2 runner.
Why Watch?: A three-headed monster among Dresden Taylor, Lucan Clemons, and Sebastian Palafox is forming before our eyes after strong track seasons. Taylor is emerging as the clear #1 after producing 4:17 and 9:12 PRs as a sophomore. His energy is influencing more athletes from the class of 2028, including Logan Jones, Ron Banchik, and Jackson Hughes, who ran around 9:45 in the 3200m. If things go right for the Mustangs this fall, they have a chance to be a team with no holes in their game.
| 1) Dresden Taylor | 15:31.30 | 60 | |||
| 2) Lucan Clemons | 15:34.60 | 66 | |||
| 3) Sebastian Palafox | 15:46.50 | 110 | |||
| 4) Logan Jones | 16:06.30 | 230 | |||
| 5) Ron Banchik | 16:41.70 | 549 | |||
Average Time: 15:56.08 Total Time: 1:19:40.40 1-5 Split: 1:10.40 | |||||
| 6) Colin Cheung | 16:57.20 | 738 | |||
| 7) Jackson Hughes | 17:04.90 | 848 | |||
The California cross country season is less than a month away, and counting down the Top 21 Girls and Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today, the countdown begins with No. 21-16 on the boys list. Be sure to check back throughout the week as we unveil the rest of the rankings and continue our preseason cross country coverage.