XC predictions post track state finals:
DI: Mario Montoya (he’s had quite the sophomore xc and track season. If that 3200 went out any faster he could’ve definitely went under 8:50). His returning times consists of 4:09, 8:51, and 14:57. A great contender to qualify for NxN if he doesn’t qualify with his team. If Elias Thronson is healthy, he’d be a close 2nd. Other mentions: San Clemente duo of Yohan Anderson and Mattheus Dos Santos, Ayala sophomore Bryson Caganap (3rd returner) Redondo sophomore Matteo Sanchez (4th returner), Landon Warriner (McClatchy), Mtn view trio of Deven Koppala, Yuval Goldberg, and Liam Tassa, Evan Chopra (Menlo Atherton), Kingsley Lin (Santa Monica). Team title will either be between San Clemente or Mountain View. Bold prediction: two sophomores will go under 15 and one of them will be Tassa. Montoya will have one of the fastest times of the meet
DII: Tough to predict but will be between Aidan Antonio and Cooper Stream. I’ll go on a limb and say Antonio will dethrone Stream. Antonio has been running consistently faster than Stream in XC and track (although Stream may have the faster 3200 and 5k times, Antonio tends to peak well during the postseason). Other mentions: Adrian Cantu, Derek Luna, Jaxon Northcutt, Jesuit trio of Connor Bilodeau, Lucas Alberts, and Matthew Ogilvie, Ty Hundley (Vacaville). Team title will be between Jesuit, Hart, Woodbridge, and Vacaville. Other predictions: Ogilvie will go sub 15. Antonio and Stream will run low 14:40s or potentially sub 14:40 (both will qualify for NxN either individually or as a team). Northcutt and Luna may also be potential candidates for an NxN bid.
DIII: Michael Scarince (would say Clark Gregory if we saw him race more often but I believe Gregory can run faster than what his track times have shown). Scarince returns a 4:08, 8:53, and 14:58. I can see Scarince also qualifying individually for NxN. Second place will be between Caden Ehrhorn and Elijah Medina (Redlands East Valley) and Gregory will be 3rd (Ehrhorn has been consistently faster than Gregory this track season). Campolindo will have at least 3 boys in the top 10. Other mentions: Carter Cook (Campolindo), Nikola Van Delft (Campolindo), Gavin Gunn (Campolindo), Jay Lopez (St John Bosco), Marcus Napoli (Nipomo), Lucas Nulman (Palos Verdes), Victor Esquivel (West Ranch). Team title will go to Campolindo. Other predictions: sub 14:50 Scarince, sub 15 Ehrhorn, Medina, and Gregory.
DIV: Sterling White will win state and break the CA Woodward Park sophomore record. Only a freshman and has already broken Phillip Rocha’s freshman Woodward record by 7 seconds. Not only that but he’s went under 9 for the 3200 to set the CA freshman record. He qualified for the 3200 state finals as a FRESHMAN. To say White has had an accomplished season would be a huge understatement. Djali de Chalus will be a close second. Henry Hauser in third. Viggo Bortolin in 4th. Team title will go to Foothill Tech but be on the lookout for Sage Creek and Menlo. Other mentions: Grant Beasley (Sage Creek), Arize Nwosu (Oaks Christian), Jett Dailey (La Jolla- now that’s a recognizable name), Landon Wilson (Sonora), Sam Hansen (Aptos), Aidan Guzman (La Cañada). Other predictions: White sub 14:50 and NxN bid. De Chalus sub 14:55. Hauser sub 15.
DV: Blake Bay no questions. Despite how Bay’s track season went, there’s no denying he’ll be a top contender for the state title. I can’t say for certain he’ll be a contender for NxN due to his times in track this season but you never really know (example: Alijah Murillo going sub 14:50 despite barely going under 9:10 at CCS Junior year and not having gone under 4:20. He also ran 15:14 as a sophomore but could never go under 9:20 and barely ran under 4:25). Jack Richter 2nd, Conrad Chern 3rd, Teal Greene 4th. Team title will go to SF University and there will be about 2-3 of those boys in the top 10. Other mentions: SF University duo of Ben Friedland and Ethan Kraska (let’s hope Friedland is healthy during xc), Healdsburg duo of Lucas Welty and Phoenix de Maria Nall, Watson Eagles (Campbell Hall), Zach Causee (St Margaret’s)