Best Distance program in Calif.

I would go with UC Davis over Chico. Davis recruits better since it is closer to the bay area and Sac. It is also a far better school.

Davis has no distance coach, Jesus , do you not read this board?

Probably Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for D1 is just recruits foreigners.

I assume, due to your name, that you are referring to Men.

Are you talking strictly athletic or academic opportunity as well.

USF is decent but by no means would I select it over UCLA , SLO, or UCSB for DI

Chico is solid as DII for athletics alone but I would not consider it a place of academic prestige .....if youre into that sort of thing.

Seriously, give Chico some respect. All you have to do is go to Tffrs and see that Chico had 6 guys run faster than SLO's #3 in the 5k this year, and 6 faster than Davis' #1 this year. And this isn't an isolated year. Year in and year out Chico has one of the top-3-4 distance squads in CA regardless of division. All with CA kids and without the DI title to pull in the top tier hs runners.

Chico coach has been there 20 years, good guy and good coach, gets results.

Gary Towne is very good. He has turned Chico into a dII power and is always competitive regardless of division.

If we are talking men’s distance (sans Stanford) UCLA is easily the best. Look at their NCAA appearances and look at their West Region representation the last 5 years.

After UCLA, you got to go USF (recently), Chico, SLO, Berkeley, UCSB (not anymore without Pete), San Jose State (Brad Wick also very good!), Azusa, Pomona, Cal Baptist

I wouldn’t even put Davis anywhere near this group. Drew and Devin did a nice job but even in the last 4 years the men haven’t been as good as their women.

Women would be a different story. Stanford still on top but USF is clear second. Ucla had a nice little run but are pretty bad now. Berkeley gets lots of talent and will make an NCAA national meet occasionally. Priscilla doing really nice job with SLO women, with new track facility they will be able to up the recruiting game as well. Davis has good teams (and individuals) under Warty and Devin. Pete had UCSB on fire for years. Towne has a good program with women at Chico. Azusa had some great distance athletes. Brad Wick’s San Jose State women are coming on to the scene now and with Pete’s departure at UCSB and UCLA and Davis in shambles, should be able to capitalize with better recruits and less competitive state.

I would say Stanford, USF, Berkeley, SLO, San Jose State as the top five women’s teams in the state next year.

Next years men will be Stanford, UCLA, USF, Chico, SLO in that order.

It was a real solid year for female distance runners in California and I don't think any of the seniors going to California schools that tells you something

gxgcii wrote:

It was a real solid year for female distance runners in California and I don't think any of the seniors going to California schools that tells you something

What do mean? none of the seniors are going to CA schools?... Do you mean the Denners aren't? if so, ok, yes... otherwise perhaps review the list again.

CP SLO does not have that good of a program, Manny Bautista set up their string of successful years in the 2000’s. Up to recent date, no consistent good leadership, conover doesn’t know how to coach a well constructed team with the Cali talent they receive. Real shame and waste of potential

Nadanada wrote:

CP SLO does not have that good of a program, Manny Bautista set up their string of successful years in the 2000’s. Up to recent date, no consistent good leadership, conover doesn’t know how to coach a well constructed team with the Cali talent they receive. Real shame and waste of potential

Coach Bailey will turn the program around.

Townes Van Gary wrote:

I wouldn’t even put Davis anywhere near this group. Drew and Devin did a nice job but even in the last 4 years the men haven’t been as good as their women.

Davis has good teams (and individuals) under Warty and Devin.

The Davis team took a serious slide under Devin. How do you figure he did a nice job?

Which of the top Sr's are staying in Cali for college?

Barbosa's brief reign swooped in, broke the team and left without a trace. I would rather be on the club team. Also Davis is D1