1. Jesuit(1-1-1-1-1-1) (D2)(82:19)
2. Rocklin(6-6-6-6-7-10) (D2)(83:22)
3. Sheldon(3-3-3-3-5-4) (D1)(84:31)
4. Ponderosa(7-8-7-7-9-6) (D2)(84:38)
5. Davis(2-2-2-2-4-2) (D1)(85:55)
6. Woodcreek(8-9-8-9-10-9) (D2)(85:55)
7. Del Oro- (D3)(86:39)
8. Fairfield(NR-NR-NR-NR-6-5) (D1)(87:01)
9. Nevada Union (D1)(87:03)
10. Oak Ridge(4-4-4-4-2-3) (D2)(87:03)
11. Modesto(NR-NR-NR-NR-8-8) (D1)(87:18)
12. Colfax(9-10-9-10-11-11) (D4)(87:37)
13. Woodland(NR-NR-NR-NR-13-15) (D3)(87:40)
14. Placer(NR-NR-NR-NR-NR-14) (D3)(87:43)
15. Del Campo(5-5-5-5-3-7) (D3)(88:06)
16. Lodi (D1)(88:06)
17. Oakmont (D2)(88:12)
18. Franklin, Elk Grove(NR-NR-NR-NR-NR-12) (D1)(88:41)
19. Los Banos (D1)(88:44)
20. Riverbank (D4)(88:59)
21. Tokay (D1)(88:59)
22. Granite Bay (D2)(89:33)
23. Benicia (D3)(89:34)
24. Union Mine(NR-NR-NR-NR-NR-13) (D3)(90:00)
25. Sonora (D2)(90:12)
26. Vanden (D3)(90:54)
27. Christian Brothers (D4)(91:05)
28. Amador (D4)(92:28)
29. Hughson (D4)(93:31)
30. Ripon (D4)(93:53)
31. Lincoln, Lincoln (D4)(94:38)
32. Escalon (D4)(95:00)

Each team in Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 are listed above based on their times this past Saturday in the Sub Section Meet at Angles Camp. If there are numbers after the school, this is where I had them ranked from the beginning of the season through the League meets. The questions remain: Who was racing for their lives to advance and who was training through. Many teams raced in flats while others were in trainers. Many schools spread their runners out and some raced with their top 7 in tact. Will be very interesting as the races unfold on Friday @ Willow Hills in Folsom.

1. Davis – 3^rd @ Granite Bay Invite(87:09), behind very highly ranked Madera and Jesuit, 1^st @ Lagoon Valley Invite by 30 pts over Lodi, Ponderosa 3^rd here. (84:05) @ Stanford, 1^st @ Yolo Invite, 1^st @ Roughrider (State Meet Course)(83:30), (80:03) @ Mt Sac Invite, Monticello Empire League Champions scoring a perfect 15 pts. The Blue Devils are lead by a very talented group, perhaps the best team Coach Bill Gregg has ever had. Brendan Gregg, Patrick Lynch, Scott Halliday, Kyle Buchoff, Kenny Durell, Zach Bonner and Mitchell Danforth. They looked very relaxed at the sub section meet. Last State Rankings had them 14^th in the State in D1. Look for a hard fought battle from Sheldon who is ranked right behind them in 15^th.
2. Sheldon – 4^th @ Granite Bay Invite(88:10), 1^st @ Lodi Invite 53 pts better than host Lodi, 2^nd @ Nevada Union Invite Lg Sc(86:44) behind Reno, 2^nd @ Yolo Invite, 4^th Clovis Invite Lg Sc(85:42), 2^nd in Delta League behind Jesuit. (87:33) on the current Willow Hills course. Coach Rodgers has developed this team very nicely. Lead by Zac Bowers, Dominic Malfatto, Kyle Fujitsubo, Derek Baptista, Spencer Christy and Mitchell Milligan, this group sent a message at Angles Camp, that they were ready to challenge for the section title. Sheldon only finished with 6. They are ranked 15^th in the latest State Polls.
3. Fairfield – (88:03) @ Stanford, 5^th @ Clovis Invite Lg Sc (85:45), (81:30) @ Mt Sac Invite. This team should not be taken lightly. They finished with only 6 at the sub section meet and appear ready to step in should Davis or Sheldon falter. They are lead by Myko Lucas, Terrell Kirtz and Darrell Fernandez.
4. Modesto - (84:43) @ Crystal Springs, Modesto Metro League Champions scored a perfect 15 pts. This group could be the most dangerous. Not much info on them as they tend to race at grade level and not often as a top 7, they are very talented and could surprise many at the section meet. (They were hiding from me) They are lead by Alex Freitas, Steve Casado, Marty Pyeatt, Alejandro Hernandez, Clayton Beltran and Matt Maldonado.
5. Nevada Union, Grass Valley –10^th @ Rocklin Invite, 6^th @ Nevada Union Invite Lg Sc(88:24), 4^th @ Bella Vista Invite, (86:57) @ Crystal Springs, (85:24) @ Mt Sac Invite, Metro League Champions, (91:32) on the current Willow Hills course. This team is loaded with talent and starting to put things together. With the Addition of Sean Lane, who has only raced twice, in the League and Sub-Section meet. They could move up. He is the Miners #2 man. They could have one ace in the hole. Barrett Vertrees, a junior, who has been recovering from an injury and has not raced all year, could make a big impact if he returns. Vertrees ran (17:16) as a freshman at the Clovis Invite. NU had the best race of the season at Angles Camp. Leading the way for the miners is Senior Andrew Primrose, Lane, Parker Brown (the only one with State Meet experience)(17:32), Cody Hood and Dan Freitas.
6. Lodi – 10^th @ Granite Bay Invite(91:46), 2^nd @ Lodi Invite, 2^nd @ Lagoon Valley Invite, (89:17) @ Stanford, 3^rd @ Yolo Invite. Led by the very talented Jeff Merrill and Daniel Magana they finished 6^th at the sub section meet.
7. Franklin, Elk Grove – 91:30 @ Stanford, 6^th @ Yolo Invite, (85:21) @ Mt Sac Invite. 90:33 on the current Willow Hills Course. Marlon Patterson, one of the best runners in the state, will have help in the section meet. Ryan Freitas will help back Marlon up as they try to improve on their 7^th place finish at the sub section meet.
8. Tokay – 3^rd @ Lodi Invite, 7^th @ Nevada Union Invite Lg Sc(90:57), 87:01 @ Mt Sac Invite. Tokay is led by Seth Green and Michael Sandoval

5 Individuals to State (must finish in top 12)

Jake Matthews – Folsom

Marlon Patterson – Franklin, Elk Grove

Jeff Merrill – Lodi

Brad Doering – Yuba City

Myko Lucas - Fairfield

Team Prediction

1. Davis
2. Sheldon
3. Fairfield
4. Modesto
5. Lodi
6. Franklin
7. Nevada Union
8. Tokay

1. Jesuit –2^nd @ Granite Bay Invite(84:50)behind D1 State ranked Madera(84:33), 1^st @ Rocklin Invite 64pt win over Oak Ridge, 3^rd fastest time of the day @ Stanford Invite(81:46) behind national ranked D1 Royal(79:47) in the Southern Section and Mead(80:30) of Washington, 1^st @ Bella Vista Invite, 1^st @ Clovis Invite/Championship race (80:26), Delta League Champions. Ran 85:15 on the current Willow Hills Course. Ranked #9 Nationally and #2 in California all divisions. Walt Lange’s harriers are by far the best in the section. They have met every challenge head on with the best to come, I believe. Led by Evan Watchempino, Samir Benouar, Michael Salvarierra, James Laville, Phil McKennan, Scott Donahue and Jake Kelley-Strong, this team continues to improve upon the storied history of cross country at Jesuit.
2. Rocklin –4^th @ Rocklin Invite, 4^th @ Nevada Union Invite Lg Sc (87:18), (85:56) @ Stanford, 5^th @ Yolo Invite, 5^th Clovis Invite Med Sc (85:48). Sierra Foothill League Champions, Placed 3 in the top 5 at the sub section meet and are lead by the great trio of Tim Cannon, Jon Santellano and Kevin Hougen. They will have to have some help for #4 and #5 if they hope to travel to Fresno for Thanksgiving.
3. Oak Ridge – 6^th @ Granite Bay Invite (88:55), 2^nd @ Rocklin Invite, (85:10) @ Stanford, 2^nd @ Bella Vista Invite, 1^st Clovis Invite Med Sc (82:58), SVC League Champions running (87:30) on the current Willow Hills course. This team has looked great all year and even though they were 5^th in the sub-section, this team is in championship mode and will battle for a spot to the state meet. They are led by Ryan Cosens, Scott Crawford, Alex Mansoor and Josh Ruff.
4. Ponderosa - 5^th @ Rocklin Invite, 3^rd @ Lagoon Valley Invite, 1^st @ Yuba Sutter Invitational, (88:24) on the current Willow Hills course. 3^rd at the sub section meet, Ponderosa is lead by the talents of Dillon Brook and Mike Wright.
5. Woodcreek - 6^th @ Lodi Invite, 6^th @ Rocklin Invite, 5^th @ Nevada Union Invite Lg Sc (88:44), (87:17) @ Stanford, 4^th @ Yolo Invite on 6^th man, Clovis Invite (90:57), Won Sierra Foothill League Championship meet on 6^th man. Finished 4^th in the sub-section meet. Cameron Mitchell races here and is one of the best in the section regardless of division.
6. Oakmont – 9^th @ Granite Bay Invite (91:06), (89:47) @ Stanford, Clovis Invite (92:09), 86:09 @ Mt Sac Invite. They are led by Garrett Infausto and Jason Sey.
7. Los Banos – 7^th @ Lodi Invite, (87:32) @ Mt Sac Invite. Led by Ivan Bojorquez and Luis Hernandez, they finished 6^th in the sub section meet.
8. Granite Bay – (92:17) @ Stanford, 7^th @ Yolo Invite, (93:32) on the current Willow Hills course. Ari Shaeffer and company look to improve on their 8^th place finish at the sub-section meet. They only finished with 6 runners.

1. Jesuit
2. Rocklin
3. Oak Ridge
4. Ponderosa
5. Woodcreek
6. Oakmont
7. Los Banos
8. Granite Bay

1. Del Campo, Fair Oaks –7^th @ Granite Bay Invite(88:50), 3^rd @ Rocklin Invite, 1^st D3 @ Woodbridge Invite, 2^nd @ Yuba Sutter Invite (missing #1/#2), 4^th @ Brea Invite(85:52) behind #5 state ranked (all divisions) D1 El Rancho(82:09), Rubidoux(85:24) and Brea Olinda(85:26) both D2 in Southern Section, 1^st @ Castro Valley Invite, Capital Athletic League Champions scored a perfect 15 pts running (90:06) on the current Willow Hills course. Coach Bob King is looking for his 14^th section title. This team has traveled to meets throughout the state in seek of competition they might encounter in Fresno. They are ranked #9 in the state’s latest polls. Leading the way are Senior Sean Kelleher and Sophomore James Tracy. The rest of the cougar harriers are very strong and ready for the task at hand. Look for James Always, Ryan Garcia, Jessie Russing, David Descalso and Seb Kavanaugh to follow nicely. Del Campo finished with 6 @ sub sections.
2. Del Oro, Loomis – 4^th @ Nevada Union Invite smsc (90:39), (88:49) @ Stanford, Clovis Invite (87:12). Coach Jake Hardey told me they would be ready and truly they are. Very impressive at the sub section meet where they were 1^st, 4 pts ahead of Placer and 5 pts ahead of Woodland. A team waiting in the wings all season, a lot like last year when they tie with Placer in the sub section meet and won on 6^th man. At the Section meet they tied with Sonora and lost on 6^th man. Leading the way for Del Oro are Shawn Boyte and Nathan Spangler. The pair went 1-2 last weekend in the sub-section meet. They have to hope their 5^th man can move up in the pack if they are to challenge for the section title.
3. Woodland – 9^th @ Rocklin Invite, 4^th @ Lodi Invite, 89:00 @ Stanford, 87:00 @ Clovis Invite, (85:18) @ Mt Sac Invite. The Wolves have been on the prowl all season and are ready for this championship. With only 2 spots to the state champions, this will be a heck of a race. Coach Bruns will have to get his squad to pack race better than ever for them to have a chance. Leading the way is Russell Darling. Following him closely will be Danny Ponticello, Max Bencomo, Luke Koushmaro and Michael Brian.
4. Placer, Auburn, 3^rd @ Nevada Union Invite sm sc (90:30), (89:15) @ Stanford. The Hillman finished 2^nd in the sub-section meet and are hoping to qualify for the state championships a year after they were heavy favorites and ended up 4^th. Placer is led by Dan Labrador, Josh Vaughan and Thomas Evangelista.
5. Union Mine – 4^th @ Lagoon Valley Invite. Ran (90:55) on the current Willow Hills course. Their top harrier, William Marquardt will need help from the rest of his team if they are to improve on their 6^th place finish at the sub-section meet.
6. Benicia – (93:10) @ Stanford, 6^th @ Bella Vista Invite. Richard Jones is Benicia’s top harrier but will need a lot of help from his teammates if they hope to improve on their 5^th place finish at the sub section meet.
7. Sonora – 8^th @ Lodi Invite, (93:58) @ Stanford. The Sonora harriers are the defending Division 3 Section Champions. They were hit hard by graduation and the loss of their coach to retirement, but have rebounded nicely. They defend their title with two of the best runners in this division, Bill Brewer and Spencer Castro.
8. Vanden – Capital Valley Conference Champions, 6^th @ Lagoon Valley Invite. If they hope to improve on their 8^th place finish at the sub section meet, Vanden’s top runner, Chris Langbehn will need for his teammates to move up.

1. Del Campo
2. Woodland
3. Del Oro
4. Placer
5. Union Mine
6. Sonora
7. Benicia
8. Vanden

1. Colfax –7^th @ Rocklin Invite, 1^st @ Nevada Union Invite sm sc (89:24), (87:38) @ Stanford, 3^rd @ Bella Vista Pioneer, Valley League Champions. They are ranked #5 in the states latest polls. Defending Section Champions, the falcons are very strong. Leading the way are Matt Wollenberg, Alec Reynolds, JT Evans, Greg Reynolds, Joel Iventosch and Johathan Crebbin. Colfax finished with only 6 runners all in the top 21.
2. Riverbank – 2^nd @ Sierra Invite behind Roosevelt of Fresno, 4^th Sm Sc@ Artichoke Invite. If this team is to challenge Colfax for the Section title and stay ahead of late charging Christian Brothers, super star German Fernandez will need help from Omar Fernandez and crew. German had the fastest time of the day @ Angles Camp (15:27), winning his race by 99sec. Only finished with 6 last Saturday.
3. Christian Brothers – This team has run (93:22) on the current Willow Hills course. They will challenge Riverbank for the 2^nd qualifying spot to the state championships. They pack well, but can they move up? They don’t need much. Leading the way for CBS are George Cook-Cantu, Jason Howard, Jonathan Soto, Matthew Smolich and Matthew Delgado.
4. Amador – 6^th Nevada Union Invite Sm Sc (94:00), 10^th Sm Sc Artichoke Invite. Amador’s top runners are Jay Souza and Thomas Witt.
5. Hughson – (92:10) @ Clovis Invite. Finished 5^th at the sub-section meet and hoping to improve behind the talents of Cirilo Chavez and Joe Thiebold.
6. Ripon – clearly hid from me all season. Finished 6^th in the sub section meet and is being led by Nick Wever.
7. Lincoln, Lincoln – 7^th Nevada Union Invite Sm Sc (94:55). Kyle Knutson is one of the best runners in this division and hopes to lead his team to a better finish than the 7^th place they received @ Angles Camp.
8. Escalon – (94:02) @ Mt Sac Invite. Finished 8^th in the sub section meet and is being led by the talented Randy Huntington.

1. Colfax
2. Christian Brothers
3. Riverbank
4. Amador
5. Ripon
6. Hughson
7. Escalon
8. Lincoln, Lincoln