The California cross country season is less than a month away, and counting down the Top 21 Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today we have teams 10 through 6 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, 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.
10. Arnold O. Beckman (SS)
2025 Season: 4th in D1 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Only three athletes are returning from their CIF State XC Championships lineup.
Why Watch?: Beckman has been a powerhouse since their dominant 2024 D1 CIF State XC Championship run. Ryan Barris is the last remaining member of that title team and will lead a completely revamped squad. Although this team will be new to the championship stage, their 9:30 average 3200m times suggest they could be primed for another competitive run. Ryan Barris and Hassan Syed have the potential to become one of the Southern Section's best one-two punches this fall that could bring Beckman into the state title contention.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Ryan Barris | 15:18.80 | 29 | |||
| 2) Hassan Syed | 15:41.80 | 94 | |||
| 3) Jacob Franco | 15:45.00 | 104 | |||
| 4) Brandon Boatman | 15:46.90 | 114 | |||
| 5) Samuel Forman | 15:57.70 | 169 | |||
Average Time: 15:42.04 Total Time: 1:18:30.20 1-5 Split: 38.90 | |||||
| 6) Koko Karakesis | 16:58.80 | 760 | |||
| 7) Jacob Esquibel | 17:46.20 | 1498 | |||
9. St. John Bosco (SS)
2025 Season: 5th in D3 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: The entire varsity squad from their CIF State XC Championships is returning this season
Why Watch?: St. John Bosco is in the best position to win a CIF State XC Championship since their Division 3 win in 2012. The Braves are returning a full squad that now includes six seniors and one junior. After finishing 5th in last year's CIF State Championships with a 21-second spread, the team looks poised to contend for a Division 3 state title this fall.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Jay Lopez | 15:40.20 | 82 | |||
| 2) Edward Medina | 15:41.50 | 93 | |||
| 3) Aaron Garcia | 15:51.90 | 134 | |||
| 4) Justin Arredondo | 16:01.40 | 197 | |||
| 5) Joseph Toledo | 16:01.50 | 198 | |||
Average Time: 15:51.30 Total Time: 1:19:16.50 1-5 Split: 21.30 | |||||
| 6) Caleb Paniagua | 16:17.20 | 304 | |||
| 7) Nicolas Medina | 16:21.80 | 344 | |||
8. Woodbridge (SS)
2025 Season: Runner-Up in the D2 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from their CIF State XC Championships team, but they are losing two top 5 scorers.
Why Watch?: At the end of last season, Woodbridge battled through injuries and illness to finish as runner-up in the D2 CIF State XC Championships. This veteran lineup returns with unfinished business after coming within one place of a Division 2 title despite battling injuries and illness. Aidan Antonio, Thomas Yohn, and Noah Spricker appear to be the trio capable of getting it done.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Aidan Antonio | 14:50.10 | 2 | |||
| 2) Thomas Yohn | 15:19.80 | 34 | |||
| 3) Noah Spickler | 15:39.60 | 80 | |||
| 4) Ayumu (Joey) Yamamoto | 16:07.90 | 246 | |||
| 5) Sean Hohman | 16:12.80 | 273 | |||
Average Time: 15:38.04 Total Time: 1:18:10.20 1-5 Split: 1:22.70 | |||||
7. San Francisco University (NC)
2025 Season: Reigning D5 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from their CIF State XC Championships team, but they are losing two top 5 scorers.
Why Watch?: All of Division 5 will be chasing San Francisco University, the reigning D5 CIF State XC Champions, along with their six returners. The Red Devils aim to one-up last year's dream season and repeat as champions. Their top five returners averaged the #6 fastest 3200m times in the spring, demonstrating their readiness for the challenge. The biggest question isn't talent, but it's Ben Friedland's health, whose track season was cut due to a stress reaction. However, Ethan Kraska proved he can step up with PRs of 9:19 and 4:15 on the track that could trickle into the entire team. Repeating as Division 5 champions won't be easy, but few programs return with as much confidence or momentum as the Red Devils.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Ben Friedland | 15:01.72 | 13 | |||
| 2) Ethan Kraska | 15:28.15 | 50 | |||
| 3) Matteo Moretti | 15:45.40 | 106 | |||
| 4) Hugo Tao Ong | 15:50.54 | 128 | |||
| 5) Charlie Kost | 16:05.07 | 223 | |||
Average Time: 15:38.18 Total Time: 1:18:10.88 1-5 Split: 1:03.35 | |||||
| 6) Vivek Narottam | 16:12.36 | 269 | |||
| 7) Charlie Jones | 16:24.69 | 371 | |||
6. Vacaville (SJ)
2025 Season: 7th in D3 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Vacaville is losing one top 5 scorer, but is returning five athletes from their CIF State XC Championships team.
Why Watch?: Every championship team benefits from an elite low stick, and Vacaville has the state's best returning one in defending Division 2 individual champion Cooper Stream. However, the difference maker will be William Wuzbach, who was the #7 runner last season at the CIF State XC meet and stepped up this spring to run 4:16. Stream is leading a talented Bulldog team that, according to MileSplit, averages the #3 fastest 1600m times in California at 4:17. If the Bulldogs can translate their outstanding track season to the cross country course, they have all the pieces to challenge for a Division 2 title.
Potential Top 7 (5K PRs)
| 1) Cooper Stream | 14:48.40 | 1 | |||
| 2) Ty Hundley | 15:12.10 | 20 | |||
| 3) Connor Smith | 15:33.71 | 64 | |||
| 4) Jericho Corpus | 16:19.60 | 323 | |||
| 5) Alex Valencia | 16:25.20 | 381 | |||
Average Time: 15:39.80 Total Time: 1:18:19.01 1-5 Split: 1:36.80 | |||||
| 6) William Wurzbach | 16:31.00 | 431 | |||
| 7) Roman Davis | 17:14.50 | 1004 | |||
The California cross country season is less than a month away, and counting down the Top 21 Boys XC Teams to Watch in 2026.
Today we have teams 10 through 6 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.