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.
2025 Season: 8th in D1 CIF State XC Championships, Runner-Up at D1 CIF Sac-Joaquin XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from last season, but they're losing their top two scorers from the CIF State XC Championships.
Why Watch?: Oak Ridge still returns an experienced team despite losing its top two runners. However, they will need breakout performances to remain in the Division 1 title conversation. Those breakout performances could start with Maya Day, who lowered her 1600m personal best to 5:00 this spring. Emily Capelli could also become a key contributor after showing promise as a freshman with PRs of 5:44 and 12:02.
Potential Varsity Team (Based on Returners 5K PRs)
| 1) Maya Day | 18:23.90 | ||||
| 2) Sutton Paulsen | 18:48.50 | ||||
| 3) Addie Yip | 18:58.50 | ||||
| 4) Emi Madsen | 19:02.50 | ||||
| 5) Lauren Tiedeman | 19:49.10 | ||||
Average Time: 19:00.40 Total Time: 1:35.02 1-5 Split: 1:25.20 | |||||
| 6) Cameron Fechter | 20:40.20 | ||||
2025 Season: 3rd in D3 CIF State XC Championships
Who's Returning: Four athletes are returning from the CIF State XC Championships, but they're losing only one scorer from last season.
Why Watch?: Santa Margarita is returning with Carol Dye and Taryn Coulston, who are among the state's best duos and finished 3rd and 5th at last year's CIF State XC Championships. One half of this duo got a taste of the national spotlight when Carol Dye qualified to race at the Brooks XC Championships last season. After getting a taste of the national stage, Dye and Coulston now have an opportunity to chase another goal-leading Santa Margarita to Nike Cross Nationals.
Potential Varsity Team (Based on Returners 5K PRs)
| 1) Carol Dye | 17:22.20 | ||||
| 2) Taryn Coulston | 17:44.30 | ||||
| 3) Quinn Evers | 19:03.60 | ||||
| 4) Madaline Johnsonbaugh | 19:05.00 | ||||
| 5) Ashlyn Loel | 20:50.10 | ||||
Average Time: 18:49.04 Total Time: 1:34:05.20 1-5 Split: 3:27.90 | |||||
2025 Season: 4th in D3 CIF State XC Championships, Reigning D3 CIF San Diego Section Champions
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning, including 4 going into their senior year and 1 going into their junior year.
Why Watch?: Everything appears to be lining up for Cathedral Catholic at the right time to capture their second Division 3 CIF State XC Championships in school history. Kristine Bickler is the last member from that state title-winning team who could have the perfect close to her high school career by winning this fall. During the track season, the Dons showcased their talent by securing third place in the DMR at the Arcadia Invitational, alongside a 5:06 average in the 1600m from their top five returning athletes. Grace Keefe may ultimately become the difference-maker after finishing 10th in the CIF State 1600m final this spring.
Potential Varsity Team (Based on Returners 5K PRs)
| 1) Grace Keefe | 18:17.50 | ||||
| 2) Callie Schulteis | 18:33.70 | ||||
| 3) Kristine Bickler | 18:42.10 | ||||
| 4) Phoebe Brink | 18:47.00 | ||||
| 5) Eva Smith | 19:41.20 | ||||
Average Time: 18:48.30 Total Time: 1:34:01.50 1-5 Split: 1:23.70 | |||||
| 6) Lily Gonzales | 20:12.00 | ||||
| 7) Sadie Lang | 21:08.10 | ||||
12. Westlake (SS)
2025 Season: 4th in D2 CIF State XC Championships, Runner-Up at D2 CIF Southern Section XC Championships
Who's Returning: Five athletes are returning from last season, including three rising sophomores and two rising juniors.
Why Watch?: Last season was special for the Westlake girls, as they finished in the top 5 at the D2 CIF State XC Championships for the first time since 1990. Freshman Anais Cruz, Sabina Cruz, and Aria Cinelli sparked a new era for Westlake as they took this next step. Going into this next season, the Cruz twins are carrying momentum from qualifying for the CIF State 3200m final, while Amelie Ortiz improved to 5:27 and 11:46 PRs. Westlake is on a trajectory to keep making history this season, and if their depth improves, they'll challenge for a CIF State XC title.
Potential Varsity Team (Based on Returners 5K PRs)
| 1) Sabina Cruz | 17:39.80 | ||||
| 2) Anais Cruz | 17:59.50 | ||||
| 3) Aria Cinelli | 18:48.70 | ||||
| 4) Amelie Ortiz | 19:34.30 | ||||
| 5) Lily Saul | 20:51.20 | ||||
Average Time: 18:58.70 Total Time: 1:34:53.50 1-5 Split: 3:11.40 | |||||
11. Clovis North (CS)
2025 Season: 10th in D1 CIF State XC Championships, Runner-Up in D1 CIF Central Coast Section XC Championships
Who's Returning: Their entire squad from their 2026 CIF State XC Championships team will be returning.
Why Watch?: This has the potential to become one of the best girls' teams in Clovis North history, after achieving their best finish in CIF State XC meet history last season,3rd place. The track season reinforced the talent they're returning, as their top 5 returners averaged 11:22 in the 3200m, which is fourth in the state according to our rankings. While the three top returners impressed as expected, it's Eleanor Nushwat and Abigail Correa who unexpectedly made gains by being part of those top five 3200m returners. Nushwat may be forming into a true difference-maker this season by dropping over 20 seconds in the 1600m after missing varsity last season. For Clovis North, it'll be those difference-making moments that'll help them break through and make more school history.
Potential Varsity Team (Based on Returners 5K PRs)
| 1) Kaitlyn Bosch | 18:16.00 | ||||
| 2) Giselle Renney | 18:20.30 | ||||
| 3) Sabella Sanchez | 18:28.24 | ||||
| 4) Demi Villalobos | 18:57.20 | ||||
| 5) Stephanie Arevalo | 19:17.70 | ||||
Average Time: 18:39.89 Total Time: 1:33:19.44 1-5 Split: 1:01.70 | |||||
| 6) Ariana Quigley | 19:36.81 | ||||
| 7) Alessandra Correa | 19:46.52 | ||||
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.