The California cross country season is less than a month away, and we're counting down the Top 21 Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today we have teams 15 through 11 that you need to watch in California this fall. 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 and 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.
5. Jesuit (SJ)
2025 Season: Reigning Back-to-Back D2 CIF State XC Champions, 14th at Nike Cross Nationals
Who's Returning: Three boys are returning from their repeat CIF State XC title run, and they're all entering their senior year.
Why Watch?: Although four boys won't be returning to the dominant Jesuit squad that made two consecutive NXN trips, you have to respect the returning champions. No California programs have been as successful over the past two seasons as Jesuit, whose pack-running propelled the Marauders to back-to-back state championships and consecutive NXN appearances. Lucas Albets, Matthew Oglive, and Ryan Tait will surely lead this team, but the additions of Rafa Jopson and John Kelly can complete it. Both Jopson and Kelly ran under 4:23 in the 1600m during the track season, showing they are ready for the next challenge. Jesuit still holds the experience of national excellence, so don't be surprised if they're competing for their third consecutive D2 CIF State XC Championship.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Lucas Alberts |
| ||||
| 2) Matthew Ogilvie | 15:22.90 | ||||
| 3) Ryan Tait | 15:40.30 | ||||
| 4) Rafa Jopson | 15:58.80 | ||||
| 5) John Kelly | 16:07.90 | ||||
Average Time: 15:41.50 Total Time: 1:18:27.50 1-5 Split: 50.39 | |||||
| 6) Griffin Smith | 16:44.4 | ||||
| 7) Nicholas Ramos | 16:50.5 |
4. Redondo Union (SS)
2025 Season: Reigning D1 CIF State XC Champions, 13th at Nike Cross Nationals, PR City Invitational Team Champions
Who's Returning: Three boys are returning from their repeat CIF State XC title team, but only two were top 5 scorers.
Why Watch?: Redondo Union had a miraculous win at the 2025 D1 CIF State XC Championships that felt like a full movie. It's unlikely Redondo will be the same after losing four seniors who were the backbone of their team, but they'll still be in the conversation because of Montoya and Sanchez. The two juniors were arguably the best duo in California last season, and they could make the jump to winning invitationals this season. The new backbone of the team will be Andrew Elder and Ignacio, who improved to 4:18 and helped Redondo finish 4th in the CIF State 4x800m final. Redondo Union won't be able to replace the four champions they lost to graduation; however, their undeniable talent should put them in the title conversation.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Mario Montoya | 14:57.70 | ||||
| 2) Matteo Sanchez | 15:07.50 | ||||
| 3) Logan Garcia | 16:31.40 | ||||
| 4) Andrew Elder | 16:38.00 | ||||
| 5) Ignacio Perez Oliveras | 16:42.20 | ||||
Average Time: 15:59.36 Total Time: 1:19:56.80 1-5 Split: 1:44.50 | |||||
| 6) Cruz Garcia | 17:40.60 | ||||
3. Mountain View (CC)
2025 Season: 5th in D2 CIF State XC Championships, Reigning D2 CIF Central Coast Section Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes from the CIF State XC Championships are returning, but they'll be losing their #1 and #3 scorers.
Why Watch?: Last season Mountain View was on everyone's radar, and that'll only increase after a successful spring season. The Spartans are returning with the fastest 3200m average in California at 9:20, led by Devan Koppala's 9:06 that qualified him for the CIF State final. Liam Tassa (4:15) and Mac Zhang (4:23) also emerged as the top freshmen in the nation with promising high school careers. Then there's Yuval Goldberg, who missed last XC season but was a 4:24 and 9:16 guy during the track season. In a loaded Division 2, Mountain View looks even better than last season, and it'll be exciting to see whether their phenomenal spring translates into the fall.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Deven Koppala | 15:18.80 | ||||
| 2) Liam Tassa | 15:46.30 | ||||
| 3) Mac Zhang | 15:21.10 | ||||
| 4) Ilan Gerber | 15:56.40 | ||||
| 5) Easton Smith | 16:02.70 | ||||
Average Time: 15:41.06 Total Time: 1:18:25.30 1-5 Split: 43.90 | |||||
| 6) Jack Gallienne | 16:15.90 | ||||
| 7) Chase Lojek | 16:31.00 | ||||
*Editor's Note (Aug. 1, 2026): Mountain View's projected varsity lineup and team statistics were updated to reflect corrected returning athlete information.
2. Campolindo (NC)
2025 Season: Reigning D3 CIF State Champions, Reigning D3 North Coast Section Champions
Who's Returning: The top six boys from last year's CIF State XC Championship team are returning.
Why Watch?: As Campolindo aims for their third consecutive D3 CIF State XC team title, they also have their best shot at qualifying for Nike Cross Nationals. In addition to returning six runners from last season, they still have Caden Erhorn, who proved to be one of the most versatile runners in the state. Erhorn holds PRs of 1:54, 4:10, and 9:15, all set this past track season. However, the difference-maker could be Carter Cook, who didn't make varsity XC last season but finished track with PRs of 4:20 and 9:44. This fall, the Cougars are once again favorites to defend their Division 3 title. But if another runner takes the next step, Campolindo has all the pieces to become one of California's top teams on the national stage.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Clark Gregory | 14:57.70 | ||||
| 2) Caden Ehrhorn | 15:19.67 | ||||
| 3) Nikola Van Delft | 15:24.50 | ||||
| 4) Gavin Gunn | 15:35.02 | ||||
| 5) Jack Durden | 15:40.93 | ||||
Average Time: 15:23.56 Total Time: 1:16:57.82 1-5 Split: 43.23 | |||||
| 6) Samuel Hearn | 15:46.63 | ||||
| 7) Taiyo Chiba | 16:00.05 | ||||
1. San Clemente (SS)
2025 Season: Runner-Up D1 CIF State XC Champions, 15th at Nike Cross Nationals, Mt. SAC XC Invitational Team Sweepstakes Champions
Who's Returning: Every boy from last year's D1 CIF State XC Runner-Up finish and NXN appearance is back for their senior season.
Why Watch?: The stars may never align more perfectly for San Clemente than in this upcoming cross country season. The Tritons' returning top 5 averages the fastest 5K (15:19) and 3 Mile (14:36) in California, with the same squad that finished 15th at NXN last year. Additionally, if they win the D1 CIF State XC title, it would be exactly four years since their first in school history, which now-senior Yohan Anderson was also part of. Everything appears to be lining up for San Clemente like a Disney Channel Original Movie. The Tritons return every runner from last year's D1 runner-up squad, boast the fastest returning 5K and 3-mile lineup in California, and have unfinished business.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Yohan Anderson | 14:59.00 | ||||
| 2) Mattheus Dos Santos | 15:03.40 | ||||
| 3) Erik Troester | 15:29.90 | ||||
| 4) Conner Jaurigue | 15:30.40 | ||||
| 5) Magnus Johansson | 15:35.10 | ||||
Average Time: 15:19.56 Total Time: 1:16:37.80 1-5 Split: 36.10 | |||||
| 6) Gabriel Sech | 15:42.90 | ||||
| 7) Ben Wyman | 16:04.90 | ||||
The California cross country season is less than a month away, and we're counting down the Top 21 Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today we have teams 15 through 11 that you need to watch in California this fall. Be sure to check back throughout the week as we unveil the rest of the rankings and continue our preseason cross country coverage.