Seventeen cross country teams are scheduled to race the 2 miles Saddleback Cross Country Cup once again. Several first-time entries will take part in the eighth meeting under the beautiful Saddleback Mountains on Friday evening, September 4, 2026, at Trabuco Hills High School. Teams from across several CIF-SS divisions include the 2025 State Champion Redondo Union Boys and the 2024 & 2025 State Champion El Toro Girls.
Last year, Redondo Union's Mario Montoya (9:13.40) and Matteo Sanchez (9:15.20) finished in the top two positions. Irvine graduate Summer Wilson won with a blazing 10:03.90. This meet will be stacked with talent, as six teams finished in the top 7 within their division at the 2025 State meet. As with any year, graduation marked the departure of talented individuals to the college level.
-- Mario Montoya leading Redondo Union at Nike Cross Nationals --
It will be interesting to witness which athletes step up and who emerges in the scoring. And who knows, maybe some fast freshmen will contribute. Many of these teams have a history of reloading for a new season.
In the early days of the 2026 season, we will undoubtedly see many of these squads competing on the Woodward Park course at the State championship meet in late November.
Seventeen cross country teams are scheduled to race the 2 miles Saddleback Cross Country Cup once again. Several first-time entries will take part in the eighth meeting under the beautiful Saddleback Mountains on Friday evening, September 4, 2026, at Trabuco Hills High School. Teams from across several CIF-SS divisions include the 2025 State Champion Redondo Union Boys and the 2024 & 2025 State Champion El Toro Girls.
Last year, Redondo Union's Mario Montoya (9:13.40) and Matteo Sanchez (9:15.20) finished in the top two positions. Irvine graduate Summer Wilson won with a blazing 10:03.90. This meet will be stacked with talent, as six teams finished in the top 7 within their division at the 2025 State meet. As with any year, graduation marked the departure of talented individuals to the college level.
-- Mario Montoya leading Redondo Union at Nike Cross Nationals --
