2026 California Track talk (CIF)

Hobby10k wrote:

Breh wrote:

That’s why I’m in agreement with the idea that LA -> SS, OK -> NCS, and SF -> CCS. I know there’s been a thread done on this but I still don’t genuinely understand why they have to be their own separate sections, just like how Tahoe schools don’t compete in California (when obv they should be in California, either Northern or SJS)

Because CIF system is one of the dumbest in the nation (Only ones worse are the ones that completely ban students from competing X miles outside of the home state at any meet)

Too many "traditional" coaches and reps who don't want to change anything. And those tiny sections would raise a big stink if realignment was brought up. This article was 16 years ago but the sentiment is still the same.

Open link

With prelims and at larges in the system, it's really not that big of a deal though. A couple people get lapped in the 3200, but that can happen even with competitive sections. The meet runs a longer because there might be a few extra prelims, but the meet is 2 days so it's not too insane of a stretch.

I dont want my name here28 wrote:

Hobby10k wrote:

Because CIF system is one of the dumbest in the nation (Only ones worse are the ones that completely ban students from competing X miles outside of the home state at any meet)

Too many "traditional" coaches and reps who don't want to change anything. And those tiny sections would raise a big stink if realignment was brought up. This article was 16 years ago but the sentiment is still the same.

Open link

With prelims and at larges in the system, it's really not that big of a deal though. A couple people get lapped in the 3200, but that can happen even with competitive sections. The meet runs a longer because there might be a few extra prelims, but the meet is 2 days so it's not too insane of a stretch.

Actually it is a big deal. We have athletes and relay teams going that don't deserve to be there and taking the place of athletes that are in much tougher sections. 4x800 doesn't even have an at-large which makes no sense. People getting lapped at State? Come on. I know they will never fix the system so just something to complain about without a solution.

I dont want my name here28 wrote:

oldold runner wrote:

Every athlete that makes it to state deserves to be there. They followed the rules that were handed to them and then they earned their way to state. They live in the area that their parents decided to live in. They have no control whether their section is the most or least competitive. Remember it's the California State Meet not a time qualifier meet.

Sorry can't agree with you there. You have girls running 2:19 out the LA section to get in and you have a girls 4x800 running 10:03 out of Northern. 8:12 boys 4x800 out of LA. The last 3 Girls running running the 3200 are all out of LA 11:23, 11:34, and 11:39 over a minute behind the contenders and some that didn't qualify from other sections. 10:04 boy from LA section. 4:33 boy out of SF Section. 5:15 girl from Oakland section.

All tracks are the same, no matter where you live. They are all 400 meters. Plenty of the fast athletes have run fast times without being pushed by competition. They need a way that gets all the best kids to the State meet and not just because they live in an easy Section.

oldold runner wrote:

I dont want my name here28 wrote:

Sorry can't agree with you there. You have girls running 2:19 out the LA section to get in and you have a girls 4x800 running 10:03 out of Northern. 8:12 boys 4x800 out of LA. The last 3 Girls running running the 3200 are all out of LA 11:23, 11:34, and 11:39 over a minute behind the contenders and some that didn't qualify from other sections. 10:04 boy from LA section. 4:33 boy out of SF Section. 5:15 girl from Oakland section.

All tracks are the same, no matter where you live. They are all 400 meters. Plenty of the fast athletes have run fast times without being pushed by competition. They need a way that gets all the best kids to the State meet and not just because they live in an easy Section.

This is the last I'll say on this. It is a state meet and not an invitational. Each section has the right to it be represented at the state meet. I posted the process on how to qualify for state earlier on this thread. The CIF does limit how many athletes each section is allowed to send. CIF does have a way to get the best athletes to state. It's the at-large process. A whole bunch of Southern Section athletes would be staying home if the CIF didn't have the at-large way to get to state. The only event that doesn't have at-large is the 4x800, but that may change soon.

Mac wrote:

I dont want my name here28 wrote:

I believe they just added Tahoe and some other school to SJS. I'm guessing those other Sections are good at some other sport that justifies their existence.

This is a big story in the Tahoe area right now. Tahoe area schools have competed in the Nevada association (NIAA) for decades because of the dangers and challenges that exist when having to travel over Donner Summit in the winter.
Last year the NIAA passed a bylaw requiring athletes to compete in their biological gender. When the California Department of Education heard about this, they told Tahoe schools they had to leave NIAA and join CIF or face legal and financial consequences because California law allows individuals to compete in the gender category they identify as. That in itself is another big story this weekend with the trans jumper.
As of now, Tahoe Truckee schools are looking at fall 2028 to enter CIF. There are several federal lawsuits pending that could affect the California law and would allow them to remain in NIAA, but many locals are afraid that once they commit to joining CIF (which I think is this summer) they’re stuck.

It’s a nightmare for Tahoe kids: soccer moves to the winter, which essentially kills that sport; Midweek league games in all sports will require 3hr round trip ; driving hundreds of kids per week over Donner Summit in the winter is precarious to say the least. The same can be said for their Sacramento opponents who will also have to make that drive, and with less experienced winter drivers.

I dont want my name here29 wrote:

oldold runner wrote:

This is the last I'll say on this. It is a state meet and not an invitational. Each section has the right to it be represented at the state meet. I posted the process on how to qualify for state earlier on this thread. The CIF does limit how many athletes each section is allowed to send. CIF does have a way to get the best athletes to state. It's the at-large process. A whole bunch of Southern Section athletes would be staying home if the CIF didn't have the at-large way to get to state. The only event that doesn't have at-large is the 4x800, but that may change soon.

I am well versed on how to get there, I will be there. I know the process, I’m saying the process should change. Set minimums and allow the best athletes in and not just show up for the Oakland section meet.

CoachB wrote:

mictlantecuhtli wrote:

another year, another set of picks.

m100: going to be incredibly close between ben harris, deyshawn seymour, nicolas obimga, cy lugo, and hometown hero donavan dunmore. i think harris takes it with a lean.

m200: cy lugo

m400: jaelen hunter, with ejam close behind

m800: bowman has given me zero reason to doubt him

m1600: i'm gonna go with a sneak pick here: cam yarbrough

m3200: i think zavaleta outkicks stream

m110: despite his injury issues this season, i think jasir rises to the top

m300: tossup between tse, rendon, and andrade. i'm biased for ccs so ill go with tse

m4x100: servite and its not close

m4x400: servite, but this one is closer. i think the winning time will be heinously fast

m4x800: i dont think jserra is at full strength so i think mira costa takes this one

w100: i know sizemore hasn't looked the same as last year but she is a competitor and will be there when it counts.

w200: i think adams pulls off the double

w400: adams, with wilson scoring between 25-30 points in this event alone

w800: combe

w1600: combe

w3200: bharadwaj, because she won't be doubling. also, palo alto runners have peaked really, really, well for the state meet over the last few years.

w100h: lacy runs with a vengence after losing out on the 300

w300: varnado has wheels, i think she takes it over hometown hero sofia lopes

w4x100: with calabasss out, rosary is the clear favorite

w4x400: wilson, by an enormous (8+ seconds) margin

w4x800: santiago, combe wins the sadie triple.

No love for the field events?