Daniel Perry leads a Skyline team that is set to dominate the section again in 2018.
Del Norte, led by Zev Fiedelberg, has the inside track to a D2 title and could be the best boys team in the section overall.
The Stanford brothers already go 1-3 in their section, and they've added Caleb Niednagel to their team to join them at the top of the rankings.
After a frustrating track season Claudia Lane is ready to resume racing this fall - and we're ready to watch her burn up the courses!
Kevin Ramos is back for his final cross country season, and is poised to compete for the title of best individual in the state.
Kristin Fahy has unfinished business from 2017, and she had an excellent track season on which to build even more success.
Hana Hall is looking to improve on her 10th place finish at the state meet last fall - and her team is legit, as well.
Britta Bundy could give Chico a chance to win both the boys and girls individual titles this fall, but Hana Hall won't make it easy for her.
The Northern section has some serious individual talent this year, so Charlie Giannini will need to be sharp to hold onto his title.
You should NEVER overlook the top teams and individuals out of Los Angeles - even though they may be surrounded by the mighty Southern Section, there is talent worth watching here.
The Palisades girls are favored in this section, but it won't be a cake walk.
If Marshall isn't on your radar screen, they should be - the Barristers have a solid returning team that our database favors to win their section.
Jicel Fernandez-Ramirez continues the El Camino Real tradition of having one of the top-ranked runners in the section.
Brent Smith had our attention way back during his freshman year, and now he tops the list of returners in his section.
Our section-by-section breakdown of the 2018 season kicks off with the CCS, which is loaded with competitive teams and individuals this fall.
The Wolfpack faces significant obstacles in the pursuit of a 5th straight D1 title and yet another NXN berth, but this program is used to making big gains.
Our database says the Menlo-Atherton girls should be on your radar screen as a contender for a state meet berth in Division 1.
Homestead's boys will be in the mix at this year's CCS finals, where the Division 1 race should be intense.
Homestead's Kaitlin Williams leads all returners in this section, but the competition for top honors will be fierce as the season progresses.
Sam Lavorato is back after showing flashes of brilliance in 2017, one of many talented individuals in the CCS.
The Wolfpack is shaping up to be one of California's best squads ever in 2018, and the strength of their rising junior class says they're not going away anytime soon.
The Dolphins took two big hits up front, one to graduation and one to transfer. But they have a strong transfer in, as well, and they have one of the state's deepest talent pools.
The Matadors return all seven from their 2017 squad and they had an outstanding track season, so I believe they are contenders in D2.
The Lancers only lost one runner from their D2 title-winning, NXN-finalist squad in 2017, leaving them with a great chance to repeat or be even better in 2018.
The Wolfpack girls have even stronger numbers than their counterparts on the boys' squad, and they are in the driver's seat for a repeat D2 title.
The Wolfpack returns a very strong squad plus a major transfer that happened in the spring, and they have enough talent to contend in 2018 and beyond.
The Centurions lost a superstar and another strong senior, but we have data that says this team will be right back in the hunt in 2018.
The Panthers fell just short of the state meet in 2017, but a stellar track season has them back on course for a potential podium finish.
The Mustangs were very good last fall and in the spring without any individual stars, but the sum is great enough to be a podium contender in 2018.
The Gaels lost their top 2 runners to graduation, but they are in a position to reload and repeat their strong 2017 season.