Maria Hernandez

Sophia Nordenholz ran 16:46.00 to win D-IV last November, the No. 5 fastest time ever on the 5K Woodward Park course at the State Championships.

Layout may have changed a tad but the times at the largest cross country meet in the U.S. remain super fast. Yet no girl has ever run faster than Claudia Lane.

Strategy goes hand in hand with outstanding fitness if you want to survive the toughest state meet qualifier in the nation.

Star athletes and deep teams vying for division titles while still positioning themselves for Master and the state meet - there's nothing in the nation quite like this meet.

Rachel Glenn is one of a very few returning champions in this senior class, and she is an MVP candidate within her section.

We highlight the top Southern Section athletes, per event, per division for the upcoming 2020 season. 

We preview all 10 races, and five divisions, on tap this weekend at the Southern Section Finals!  

A closer look at qualifying squads and individuals from Day 1 at the Southern Section Prelims.  

Teams and athletes to watch in all five divisions Friday and Saturday at the Riverside Championship Course.   

The fastest girls regardless of class based on combined PRs at each distance.

The fastest girls in the class of 2020 based on combined PRs at each distance.

We preview the sixth annual Riverside Invitational.  

Sunny skies are expect for the 52nd annual OC showcase a year after weather stole the headlines.  

Our third glimpse at the Southern Section's Top 25 teams for boys and girls. Plus bonus rankings!

Athletes from Upland stole a bulk of the headlines during Saturday's portion of the 29th Trabuco Hills Invitational a day after a trio of ladies took solo trips in the spotlight at Friday night's Distance Carnival.

Ayala's Mikaela Ramirez, fresh off a U.S. No. 2 time in the 3200 meters from the Azusa Meet of Champions, is the headliner of the Friday night Distance Carnival portion of the two-day Trabuco Hills Invitational. 

We are putting a bow on the 2018 XC season by recognizing California's top runners. This is the next installment of a 10-part MileSplitCA All-State series. Check out CA's top Junior Girls ... 

Reviewing all 10 races from the CIF-State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno. 

Not all the storylines at the CIF-Southern Section Cross Country Championships held to script on Saturday at the Riverside City Championship 3-mile course but team race favorites all came through to earn titles! 

Junior Diane Molina of Costa Mesa and senior Cy Chittenden of Mira Costa ran the fastest times at the two-day CIF-Southern Section Prelims. 

UPDATED!!! Going 25 deep this week with an updated Southern Section Girls Team Rankings. This article also includes subjective top 10 girls individual rankings.