CCS 2025 Cross Country Pre-Season Rankings

Based on 2024 Returnees and Key Transfers

As the 2025 cross country season approaches, the Central Coast Section landscape has been reshaped by graduation losses and key transfers. Our pre-season rankings analyze returning talent from the 2024 CCS Championships, factoring in graduated seniors and notable program moves. Two significant transfers highlight this year's storylines: Lily Symon moving from Los Altos to St Francis and Cali Barberi transferring from Sobrato to Los Altos.

These rankings represent the top 20 teams in each gender across all CCS divisions, providing a comprehensive view of the section's depth and competitive balance heading into the new season.

????? Girls Top 20 Teams (All Divisions)

1
St. Francis (D2)
Returns strong core led by Payton Wagner (Jr) and Lauren Draper (Jr).
?? Addition of Lily Symon transfer from Los Altos creates a powerhouse lineup
Key returnees: Brinley Pickett (So), Charlie Hofstetter (Jr)
2
Palo Alto (D2)
Despite losing senior talent, returns Amaya Bharadwaj (Sr) who ran 18:05 at CCS. Strong supporting cast with Lily Cho (So) and other developing runners.
3
Los Altos (D2)
Loses Lily Symon to transfer but gains Cali Barberi from Sobrato. Returns Samantha Witteles (Sr), Emma Lewis (Sr), and Lydia Anderson (Sr).
? Cali Barberi addition helps offset Symon departure
4
Sacred Heart Cathedral (D3)
Returns strong junior class with Jojo Gregg (Jr) and Veronica Panina (Sr). Excellent team depth and coaching should keep them competitive.
5
Branham (D2)
Returns Dhrithi Ravilochan (So), Gemma Cervone (Jr), Chloe Teil (Sr). Young talent provides foundation for continued success.
6
Los Gatos (D2)
Returns Elise Greenstreet (Jr), Piper Pyle (Jr), and Aleida Nunn (Jr). Strong junior class positions them well for the future.
7
St. Ignatius (D3)
Returns Eliot Marsh (So), Anna Petri (So), Farrah Almajdalani (Jr). Young roster with significant upside potential.
8
Piedmont Hills (D2)
Returns Adelyn King (Jr), Layah Yamashita Stan (So), Leilana Hao (Jr). Solid returning core from their strong 2024 campaign.
9
Mills (D4)
Returns Isla Amayun (Sr) and strong supporting cast. Smaller division placement helps championship prospects.
10
Scotts Valley (D4)
Returns Ava DeCleve (Sr), Violet McCutchen (Sr). D4 champions with strong leadership returning.
11
Gunn (D2)
Returns Chloe Wu (Jr), Hannah Baum (Sr), Audrey Luong (Sr). Consistent program with steady improvement trajectory.
12
Monta Vista (D3)
Returns Miranda Hsu (Jr), Suhani Pahuja (Sr), Naomi Hsu (Jr). Strong technical program with deep talent pool.
13
Hillsdale (D3)
Returns Stella Newman (Sr), Ashlyn Kelly (Sr), Sophia Flores (Sr). Veteran leadership positions them for strong season.
14
Carlmont (D1)
Rebuilding after graduation losses but maintains strong program infrastructure. Look for emerging talent to step up in D1 competition.
15
Menlo-Atherton (D1)
Traditional powerhouse working to reload young talent. Program pedigree suggests they'll be competitive by season's end.
16
Archbishop Mitty (D2)
Returns Alessia Carbone (Sr), Katia Chan (Jr). Solid program foundation with room for growth.
17
Mountain View (D1)
Young program with developing talent in competitive D1. Look for steady improvement throughout the season.
18
Willow Glen (D3)
Returns Isabella Riggs (Sr), Sofia Russell (Sr), Izzy Fierro (So). Veteran leadership in D3 competition.
19
Lynbrook (D2)
Returns Yixuan Yang (Jr), Adella Jin (Jr), Hanyu Zhang (So). Young core with significant potential for growth.
20
Burlingame (D3)
Returns Elizabeth Carroll (Jr), Madeleine Enriquez (Sr). Strong D3 contender with experienced leadership.

????? Boys Top 20 Teams (All Divisions)

1
Los Altos (D2)
Returns Sam Hurst (Sr), Taran Davies (Sr), Miles Sijstermans (Jr). Strong D2 contender with balanced veteran leadership.
2
St. Ignatius (D3)
Returns powerhouse lineup: Niall McDermott (Sr), Joseph Dito (Sr), Aiden Gray (Sr). D3 champions with incredible depth and experience.
3
Bellarmine (D1)
Perennial D1 powerhouse with strong recruiting and development program. Always competitive at the highest level of CCS competition.
4
Willow Glen (D3)
Returns Hayden Kieslich (Sr), Aidan Dunosky (Sr), Duncan Lorang (Sr). Veteran-laden squad ready for championship run.
5
Aptos (D3)
Returns Sam Hansen (Jr), Brady Bliesner (Sr), Sean Mullen (Sr). Strong D3 team with excellent coaching and depth.
6
Branham (D2)
Returns Alijah Murillo (Sr), Daniel Cheyer (Sr), Aimery Dreux (Sr). Consistent D2 contender with strong program culture.
7
Sacred Heart Cathedral (D3)
Returns Sean Kummer (Sr), David Kulas (Sr), Ian Wong (Sr). Strong D3 program with championship experience.
8
Junipero Serra (D2)
Returns Andrew Little (Sr), Joseph Bronzini (Sr), Zachary Heller (Sr). Deep D2 squad with multiple scoring threats.
9
Piedmont Hills (D2)
Returns Gabriel Saludo (So), Nicholas Anderson (Sr), Manuel Garcia Murillo (Jr). Young talent with significant upside potential.
10
Saint Francis (D2)
Returns Tyler Huo (Sr), Ted Koch (Jr), Michael Coulson (Sr). Solid D2 program with balanced scoring attack.
11
Gunn (D2)
Returns Tarun Nikhil (So), Randy Zhong (Jr), Chris Jewett (So). Young core with significant development potential.
12
Carlmont (D1)
Competitive D1 program working to reload after graduation losses. Strong coaching staff maintains consistent competitiveness.
13
Palo Alto (D2)
Returns Maximillian Soparkar (Sr), Kevin Fong (Sr), Ethan Varma (Jr). Rebuilding after losses but maintains program strength.
14
Lynbrook (D2)
Returns Harish Paschapur (So), Hisham Mohammed (Jr), Justin Jung (So). Young squad with room for significant improvement.
15
Mountain View (D1)
Developing D1 program with improving talent base. Look for steady progress throughout the season.
16
Menlo-Atherton (D1)
Traditional powerhouse program with strong infrastructure. Expects to be competitive despite youth movement.
17
Leigh (D2)
Returns Timothy Sandholm (Jr), Ethan Garner (Sr), Dylan Olmos (Sr). Solid D2 contender with veteran presence.
18
Monta Vista (D3)
Returns Kento Murase (Jr), Riu Yamada (So), Ethan Yang (Sr). Technical program with strong development focus.
19
Hillsdale (D3)
Returns Adam Woo (Sr), Kyle Fukumoto (Sr), Naoki Matsuda (Jr). Veteran D3 squad with championship aspirations.
20
San Mateo (D2)
Returns Shotaro Take (Sr), Adwaiy Ambardekar (Sr), Anthony Hsiao (So). Solid D2 program with consistent performance.

?? Top Individual Returnees

Girls Individual Stars

Lily Symon (Jr, St. Francis) - Transfer from Los Altos brings 18:39 CCS time to Mountain Lions
Amaya Bharadwaj (Sr, Palo Alto) - Ran 18:05 at CCS, returns as top D2 individual threat
Samantha Witteles (Sr, Los Altos) - 18:14 returner anchors Los Altos despite Symon transfer
Payton Wagner (Sr, Saint Francis) - 18:33 senior leader combines with Symon for powerful 1-2 punch
Cali Barberi (Jr, Los Altos) - Transfer from Sobrato adds depth to Los Altos lineup

Boys Individual Stars

Niall McDermott (Sr, St. Ignatius) - D3 powerhouse with 15:53 CCS time
Sam Hurst (Sr, Los Altos) - 15:26 returner leads strong D2 individual field
Hayden Kieslich (Sr, Willow Glen) - 15:23 speedster ready for D3 title defense
Alijah Murillo (Sr, Branham) - 15:04 runner brings elite speed to D2 competition
Joseph Dito (Sr, St. Ignatius) - Veteran leader for defending D3 champions

?? Key Transfer Impact Analysis

Lily Symon to St. Francis: This move creates an immediate championship contender in D2 girls. Symon's 18:39 speed combined with Saint Francis' returning talent makes them the early favorites.

Cali Barberi to Los Altos: While Los Altos loses Symon, Barberi's addition helps maintain their competitive edge and provides crucial depth for their 2025 campaign.

Rankings based on 2024 CCS Championship results with seniors graduated. Subject to change as season progresses and additional transfer information becomes available.

Season Outlook: The 2025 CCS cross country season promises exceptional competition across all divisions, with several programs poised for breakthrough performances.