2026 Post State Track Finals XC Predictions:
DI: Tough to call. If we go by the top returners it’ll be between Buchanan duo Molly Sundgren and Brooklyn Buckley and incoming Santiago sophomore Addyson Johns. However there may be one girl from a historically known program in the SJS only second to Jesuit. This program has had state team and individual titles in xc and track and their girls team qualified for NxN in 2016 and got 2nd. Known for individuals such as Michael Vernau, Zach Ayers, the O’Keefe sisters, Brendon Gregg, Laurynne Chetelat, Avery Wolk, and Sophomore Woodward Park record holder, Elias Thronson. Coach Bill Gregg is cooking up with their next star, Norah Feldt. Feldt is a 3x state qualifier in track, 2x section champ. She just wrapped up her track season getting 6th in the 1600 state final with a time of 4:48 (beating Giselle Fernandez) and won the Arcadia rated 3200 heat in 10:32 (beating Mille Bayles). Team title will go to Buchanan with Mira Costa in 2nd (Santiago and Davis will also be in the mix). Other mentions: Layla Merciano (Buchanan), Emma Alba (Beckman), Ellison Williams (Turlock), Mira Costa’s Mia Ritter and Evelyn Ursini, Ada Bielinska (Mountain View). Other predictions: the winning time won’t be under 17 but will still be a fast and competitive race regardless.
DII: Isabella Ruiz. Ruiz recently had a huge 3200 pr at the state 3200 running 10:18. Claremont should take the team title. Be on the lookout for Monte Vista. Also on the lookout: The Westlake Cruz twins, Gelila Hailu (Leigh), Sade Bumpus (Granada), Kelly McIntire (Point Loma), Isabella Mayer (Mt Carmel), Grace Smith (Claremont). Other predictions: Ruiz sub 17? I mean, if one can run a sub 10:20, sub 17 is not so far off the table.
DIII: Alyssa Gutierrez no questions. A 10:15 and 17:17 is nothing to scoff at and only a freshman. Expect her to pull a Noonan and be 3x state champ. Team title will be between St Francis (Sacramento) and El Toro. Monrovia’s Isla Terill, Santa Margarita duo Carol Dye and Taryn Coulston, Kamilah Salim, El Toro trio Gweneth Williams, Ava Crocker, and Lily Schroeder should also be in the mix. Other mentions: Northen Section freshman Julie Plumber (Pleasant Valley- where has she been at?), Harper Diaz (Santana), Grace Keefe (Cathedral Catholic), Emelyn Angelo (Ponderosa), Isabella Wroblewski (Yorba Linda), Leah Kranson (Nevada Union), Olivia Joseph (Northgate). Other predictions: Gutierrez sub 17 and NxN bid. Carol Dye and Kamilah Salim potential NxN bid.
DIV: Tough to call but I’ll go on a limb and predict Lindsay Billotte from Classical Academy in the SD section. Incoming sophomores Maya Pawlowicz (Jserra) and Isabella Gladden (Sage Creek) should also be in the mix. Jserra’s Resse Holley is also looking solid coming into cross next season. Team title will obv go to Jserra but lookout for Sage Creek. Other mentions: Brooklyn Tennant (Jserra), Chloe Barrett (Sage Creek), Harvard Westlake duo Jia Rhee and Elle Kirman, Isabella Rodgers (Bishop O’Dowd), Paula Devine (St Mary’s Berkeley). Other predictions: There could be potential for a sub 17 but I kind of doubt it. Just like D1 though, this should still be a fast and competitive race.
DV: This should be the fastest race of the day. The individual title will be between Elliana Patterson, Farah Allen, and Brooke Olivera. I’ll predict that Patterson will take the individual title just due to her 10:10 3200 at last nights state meet. Olivera 2nd. Allen 3rd. I expect all three to run low 17s or even sub 17. Team title will be between Lick-Wilmerding, Branson, and SF University. Other mentions: Ashlin Mallon (Cardinal Newman), Josie Hill (Sonoma Academy), Josie Krulick (Vacaville Christian), Caroline Chang (Lick Wilmerding), Hailey Sellers (Branson), Palmer Smit (SF University), Sofia Joh (Campbell Hall), Iris Paten (Pacific Collegiate). Other predictions: Patterson sub 17 and NxN bid and fastest time of the day and D5 record. Olivera and Allen low 17s or sub 17 and both qualify for NxN.