CIF-Southern Section Finals Preview

11/21/2024

CIF Finals Preview

Race #1            7:45 am            Division 1 Girls
Perhaps, the closest battle we see for a team title will begin our day. After a 49-65 battle and win over Trabuco Hills in 2023, Santiago looks to defend their team title. This year, we see the race scoring separation in the single digits with top-ranked Trabuco having a slight edge.  Defending individual champ, Rylee Blade of Santiago is favored once again after roaring to a 15:20 finish at the Woodbridge Invite in September and then last week, establishing a new course record of 16:49.5 at Mt. SAC in her Division 1 CIF-Southern Section Prelims race. Third a year ago, Braelyn Combe rolled to a 17:20 to win the Mt. SAC Invite last month while Trabuco Hills counters with Holly Barker (2nd in 2023 and 17:12 last weekend) and Millie Bayles (17:30 last weekend). The real battle will come down to those last two scoring slots where the Mustangs, on paper, hold a slight advantage.

Rylee Blade (Santiago, 10/11/2024)

Behind those two squads, Mira Costa is projected to advance to the state meet for the 14th time since 2007. Crescenta Valley is slated to advance to their second straight state meet appearance for the first time since the 2007-2008 seasons. Meanwhile, Great Oak is focused on extending their divisional record of 15 straight state meet appearances. Arcadia has come together well and pushed Crescenta Valley to the finish in the Pacific League showdown two weeks ago. While, on paper, we have Martin Luther King’s girls in the seventh and last spot for the state meet.

San Clemente, Beckman, Long Beach Wilson (in their first final since 2004), and Long Beach Poly are outside looking in. 

Top Individuals:
Millie Bayles (Trabuco Hills), Holly Barker (Trabuco Hills), Phoebe Benun (Santa Monica), Rylee Blade (Santiago), Braelyn Combe (Santiago), Megan Crum (Temescal Canyon), Sophie Guilfoile (Trabuco Hills), Charlotte Hopkins (Arcadia), Reena Hsieh (Arcadia), Elizabeth Jacklin (ML King), Erika Kirk (Vista Murrieta), Nadia Mejia (LB Wilson), Avery Peck (LB Poly), Avery Smith (Great Oak)

 

Race #2            8:05 am            Division 2 Girls
One of the all-time greats in prep history laces it up for one last time on the Mt. SAC course as North Carolina State-bound Sadie Engelhardt seeks her third consecutive divisional title. She established a new Woodward Park course record (16:25) last month but is also favored to lead her Ventura squad to their second consecutive team title. Teammate Aelo Curtis is projected for a top-10 finish for added support.  Ventura will have their hands full without one of their top scorers from September.  

Sadie Engelhardt (Ventura, 10/11/2024)

El Toro is not too far back in the rearview mirror and has much more than just Gweneth Williams up front. The rest of the scoring pack should come across in the 20-second bubble as they line up, projected to place second and advance to their eighth straight trip to the state meet. With Mackenzie Forrest and Amber Dazey seeking top 10 placings, Tesoro is strong up front and ranked third in the division. Also with two strong front runners, Claremont’s girls counter with Grace Smith and Isla Bulmer. Claremont is expected to advance to Fresno for the 11th straight season.

Meanwhile, Woodbridge’s girls look to have three scorers finish in the top 20 while the Jordin Lieberman-led Murrieta Valley squad looks to cement their first back-to-back trips to the state meet since the 2003-04 seasons.

That seventh spot will be a battle between Saugus, Canyon (Anaheim Hills) and Newport Harbor.  Saugus is seeking its 17th trip to the state meet since 2005. 

Top Individuals:
Arielle Avina (Murrieta Valley), Isla Bulmer (Claremont), Aelo Curtis (Ventura), Amber Dazey (Tesoro), Sadie Engelhardt (Ventura), Mackenzie Forrest (Tesoro), Sophia Grant (Newbury Park), Alexandra Himebauch (Peninsula), Jordin Lieberman (Murrieta Valley), Marley McCullough (Newport Harbor), Sophie Nuckols (Ventura), Lucia Pearson (Saugus), Keaton Robar (Newport Harbor), Grace Smith (Claremont), Gweneth Williams (El Toro)

**Due to a self-reporting violation, Ayala has withdrawn themselves from the meet.

 

Race #3            8:25 am            Division 1 Boys
Beckman’s boys began the season ranked third in the division, but after throwing down the gauntlet at the Clovis Invite with not only the team victory, but their 77:04 team time is the 12th -fastest squad in California history for the Woodward Park course. The Patriots then rolled to the win at the Mt. SAC Invite and now lace up as the favorites to capture their first division title after placing fifth in 2023. Junior Mason Nguyen has developed into one of the best in the section while sophomore Ryan Barris leads a group that could very well score below 50 points.

Mason Nguyen (Beckman, 10/11/2024)

The battle for the next six spots to the state meet projects to fall in a 50-point scoring bubble. Coming into the week, Mira Costa’s boys are slated to place second as they held off a tight-packed Redondo Union squad to capture the Bay League title two weeks ago. Mira Costa should qualify for their fourth straight state meet appearance.

With very little separation between all these top squads, Crescenta Valley is primed to advance to another state meet. This would be the Falcon's seventh consecutive trip. On paper, ML King could very well earn that runner-up plaque if they return to the same form that we witnessed at the Clovis Invite (77:47 team time). One of the favorites for the individual crown, Max Zavaleta looks to turn around at the finish and see the rest of his squad qualify as well.

It would not be the CIF-SS Division 1 finals if you did not include Great Oak. Advancing for the 16th year in a row, they, too, could finish as high as second as they look to welcome back a potential high scorer for them. Great Oak has earned a plaque for a record-setting eight years in a row at the Division 1 final.

Meanwhile, do not dismiss Trabuco Hills. They come in ranked seventh but with all pistons firing, along with Dylan Jubak and much-improved Ziyad Abdallah placing in the top 10, we would not be shocked to see the Mustangs place as high as third (where they have finished the past two seasons).

Of course, we would be remiss if we did not also mention that two-time defending champion, San Clemente is back into the conversation. The Tritons have already reloaded with a talented sophomore class and expect to pull off the upset and snag one of the state meet spots.

Top Individuals:
Ziyad Abdallah (Trabuco Hills), Yohan Anderson (San Clemente), Anthony Barrera (Beckman), Ryan Barris (Beckman), Jacob Brown (Great Oak), Isaac Faynsod (Mira Costa), Nathan Horrocks (Beckman), Dylan Jubak (Trabuco Hills), Issaiah McCorvey (Lancaster), Evan Nahuat (Valley View), Mason Nguyen (Beckman), Jack Paradise (Great Oak), Bradley Quazada (ML King), Daniel Reza (Chaffey), Max Zavaleta (ML King)

 

Race #4            8:45 am            Division 2 Boys 
Glendora, led by Dylan Flores and Mathias Oliveras, toe the line as the favorites to capture their first-ever Division 2 team title. Glendora has continually improved over the last several years.  As they placed fourth in 2023, if they prevail, this would be their first title since 2009.

Dylan Flores (Glendora, 10/11/2024)

But wait and do not look too far behind and you will find a much-improved Saugus is not too far in the rearview mirror. Ranked eighth in the preseason and now third, Sebastian Peraza leads the Foothill League champions. Adrian Cantu will also look to place himself in the top ten at the finish.

El Toro is seeking a trip back to the state meet while Tesoro and Dos Pueblos have positioned themselves to vie for a top-five finish. Tesoro was sixth a year ago.

With seven spots on the line for the state meet, Woodbridge, La Serna, and El Dorado will engage in a battle that will come down to the finish for those two remaining spots next weekend.

Individually, Tesoro’s Griffin Kushen and Hueneme’s J.R. Lesher will lace it up with both projecting to break 15 minutes on the newly-renovated Mt. SAC course that runs more in line with Woodward Park. Kushen cooked the course with his 14:43.8 at the Clovis Invite to join an elite company (2nd fastest in Orange County history). Meanwhile, do not dismiss Hueneme’s J.R. Lesher who crossed just in under 15:02.

Top Individuals:
Rogan Arriaga (El Toro), Adrian Cantu (Saugus), Dylan Flores (Glendora), Eamon Gordon (Dos Pueblos), Cullen Gully (Dogs Pueblos), Blake Harris (Ventura), J.R. Lesher (Hueneme), Griffin Kushen (Tesoro), Derek Luna (Rio Mesa), Jack McDonald (El Dorado), Grant Miller (La Serna), Mathias Oliveros (Glendora), Aiden Zavala (Woodbridge)

**Due to a self-reported violation, Ayala has withdrawn themselves from the meet.

 

Race #5            9:05 am            Division 3 Girls
After placing in the top three in Division 4 the previous three seasons, South Pasadena laces it up as the favorite in 2024 for Division 3. Abigail Errington put on a clinic at the Mt. SAC Invite, patiently weaving her way through the Mt. SAC course to the 16:57 victory in the Friday afternoon Sweepstakes session.

Abigail Errington (South Pasadena, 10/25/2024)

But, literally clicking on South Pasadena’s heels is none other than last year’s runner-up, Santa Margarita. Alahna Thomas has been the stalwart for the Eagles this season with Riley Szuba also seeking a top 15 finish. Do not be surprised to see this one going down to the wire in single-digit fashion with Santa Margarita seeking their first title since 2003.

Not much separates the squads from Oak Park and Yorba Linda. Oak Park has developed well and is looking to return to the state meet for the first time since 2021. This is slated to be Yorba Linda’s third straight trip and fifth in the past six seasons.

Much in the shadow of their top-ranked boys’ squad, Hart emerged as a state meet contender at the Foothill League Finals. They now project to place fifth with perhaps their best squad in school history. Meanwhile, Shadow Hills looks to advance to the state meet for the third season in a row, as they have placed sixth the past two seasons.

The last spot, on paper, will be a battle between a much-improved Monrovia squad, Canyon (Canyon Country) and West Torrance.  Monrovia moved into the picture after the Mt. SAC Invite. Those other two squads have been ranked in the top ten all season and are clicking on all cylinders. If they perform up to their expectations, they will also earn a trip up to Fresno next week.

As mentioned earlier, 12 individuals advanced. While Errington is the pre-race favorite, Irvine junior Summer Wilson will be pushing her all throughout. Wilson shined with a 17:05 solo performance on this same course last week. Dana Hills’ Annie Ivarsson was runner-up in the 2023 CIF-SS Finals and had her best performance in 2024 at the Clovis Invite (17:47.7) last month. West Covina’s Becky Osorio placed sixth in 2023 and advanced to the state meet as well. The battle for those five individual spots for the state meet will be fierce.

Top Individuals:
Saidbh Byrne (South Pasadena), Abigail Errington (South Pasadena), Serenity Fausto (Santa Fe), Sofia Francini (Calabasas), Audrey Heath (Capistrano Valley), Annie Ivarsson (Dana Hills), Becky Osorio (West Covina), Sophia Perez (Oak Park), Kamilah Salim (West Torrance), Isla Terrill (Monrovia), Alahna Thomas (Santa Margarita), Eve Washburn (Burroughs, Ridgecrest), Summer Wilson (Irvine), Alexis Wolfinger (West Torrance), Isabella Wroblewski (Yorba Linda)

 

Race #6            9:25 am            Division 4 Boys
Top-ranked all season long, the boys of JSerra are the heavy favorites to capture their first team title. Earning their third runner-up plaque a year ago, the Lions condensed their scoring into a 25-second bubble at the Clovis Invite, running a team time of 78:53. Taye Newman headlines for the Lions but they project to score less than 40 points in this meet.

Taye Newman (JSerra, 11/1/2024)

A disciplined Foothill Tech cruised last week to advance into the final as the Dragons have been ranked second all season. Led by Viggo Bortolin, they continue to hold the advantage of claiming that second-place plaque and should be a lock for their ninth trip in the past ten seasons to the state meet.

Of all squads mentioned, Palos Verdes has elevated their game after being ranked eighth in the preseason and now projects to advance onto their 15th trip to the state meet since 2006. But the Sea Kings will have their fill as the Christian Yoder-led Oaks Christian squad looks to find that early season magic we witnessed at the Woodbridge Invite.

Corona del Mar moves into Division 4 this year after placing fifth in Division 3 a year ago. Led up front by Max Douglass, we could very well see them earn the same placing once again and earn a trip to Fresno. About as consistent a season as any, Harvard Westlake looks to keep it that way and also earn one of those seven slots for next weekend’s state meet festivities.

On paper, that last spot to the state meet should witness a tight contest between neighbors, St. Francis and La Canada. St. Francis is the two-time defending divisional and state champion and looking to return for a fourth year in a row. Seeking the upset and leapfrogging those two will be Big Bear. This is the 20th consecutive year they have placed a boys' team in the finals.

Individually, Auge Martin’s veteran experience of racing when the light shines bright as he has already earned two team state titles. He rolled to a 15:02 finish time to capture the Mt. SAC Invite team sweepstakes race but tons of talent are assembled for this one--including Yoder (15:19.3 at Clovis).

Top Individuals:
Bradley Arrey (JSerra), Viggo Bortolin (Foothill Technology), Jack Burnett (JSerra), Cole Carlson (JSerra), Max Douglass (Corona del Mar), Omar Fabila (Cathedral), Luke Friedl (JSerra), Aidan Guzman (St. Francis), Kael Jex (Big Bear), Auge Martin (St. Francis), Adrian Miller (Palos Verdes), Joshua Mitchell (Oaks Christian), Taye Newman (JSerra), Conor White (Foothill Technology), Christian Yoder (Oaks Christian)

 

Race #7            9:45 am            Division 5 Girls

Our defending team champions, St. Margaret's, have been ranked at top of this division all season long. Headlined by Coco Johnson, Heidi Beshk, and Sarah Bendzick, this will be the eighth year in a row advancing to the state meet and perhaps, the Tartan’s fourth team title in the past six seasons.

Heidi Beshk (4825) and Coco Johnson (4829 St Margarets, 11/15/2024)

Also, towards the top all season, Viewpoint has maintained their #2 ranking. Any hiccups from St. Margaret's and this group will look to reclaim the title, as they did in 2022. Led by Zooey Jeong and Micah Gutman, the Patriots are a lock for their fourth consecutive trip to Fresno.

Off the radar, Cate emerged as a legitimate state meet contender after the Mt. SAC Invite last month. They advanced three years in a row from 2021-2023 and are currently led by Francesca Sutch, primed to start a new streak.

After advancing to the finals for the first time in 2023, Cantwell Sacred Heart (Montebello) is looking for their state meet berth while not much separates them and Pacifica Christian (Orange County). While the Tritons advanced by placing seventh in 2023, there are only six spots available for the Southern Section in 2024.

According to the rankings, the girls from Sage Hill, Thacher and Sacred Heart of Jesus are next in line to vie for that last spot to Fresno during Thanksgiving weekend.

Individually, Brentwood sophomore Amelia Sarkisian is the heavy favorite for the individual title with her best performance coming at the Mt. SAC Invite last month when she placed fourth (18:02) in the Friday portion of the Individual Sweepstakes race.

Top Individuals:
Sarah Bendzick (St. Margaret's), Heidi Beshk (St. Margaret's), Kate Burns (St. Lucy's), Aubrey Eaton (Providence-Burbank), Natalie Gonzalez (Providence-Burbank), Micah Gutman (Viewpoint), Zooey Jeong (Viewpoints), Coco Johnson (St. Margaret's), Sarah Kim (Woodcrest Christian), Luisa Mendez (Hawthorne MAS), Amelia Sarkisian (Brentwood), Leah Slagter (Arrowhead Christian), Francesca Sutch (Cate)

Race #8            10:10 am          Division 3 Boys

Competing in Division 2, Hart barely missed the state meet the past two seasons. Equipped with one of their best squads yet, they have moved to Division 3 and have not been out of the top spot all season. Eli Ahten has been the driving force behind this squad as we expect to see them have their scoring pack in a sub-30 second bubble and come home with the win.

Eli Ahten (Hart, 11/18/2023)

Oak Park is next in line to earn that next team plaque. Grant Jones headlines for the Eagles as they look to replicate what we saw at the Clovis Invite where their next five all packed up within a 9-second gap. Fourth a year ago, this should be their first time making back-to-back state meet appearances since the 2007-2008 seasons.

But watch out for St. John Bosco and do not let their youth deceive you. Six of their seven are sophomores as the Tim McIntosh-coached crew has continually improved throughout the season. This should be the Brave's seventh trip in the past eight seasons to the state meet and 17th since 2000.

Not much separates all of these squads with South Pasadena, led by Michael Scarince, next in line as they, too, have steadily improved throughout the season. The Tigers just missed the state meet (competing in Division 4) last year, but they put together a group that should be a lock in 2024. Right behind them is the Andrew Quast-led West Torrance program. No stranger to the finals, they are projected to advance to their tenth straight state meet.

Agoura and Dana Hills will lock up for what should be the battle for those last two spots to Fresno. While two-time defending divisional champs, Dana Hills, will have the advantage after their first two scorers, look for Agoura’s depth to prevail. By the way, if Dana Hills can hold off the competition, they will have qualified for the state meet in every year since 2006.

Who is looking to stop that streak? West Ranch placed second to Dana Hills a year ago, while Burroughs (Ridgecrest) and Canyon (Canyon Country) will also be right there, fighting for that last spot.

Individually, Dana Hills’ Evan Noonan is eyeing this third straight individual title. Back from a mid-season setback, Noonan is the two-time Division 3 state champion and is coming off a track season where he won the California state title for the 3200 meters. Meanwhile, Zion Ortiz of Burroughs-Ridgecrest scorched the new Mt. SAC course last month with a 15:03 victory in the Friday session of the Individual Sweepstakes race. Meanwhile, Liam Miller of South Torrance has also impressed with his best finish coming at Clovis (15:12.9).

Top Individuals:
Noah Aldana (South Pasadena), Eli Ahten (Hart), James Glynn (Agoura), Oliver Hunter (Dana Hills), Grant Jones (Oak Park), Hunter Lee (Moorpark), Alex Leon (St. John Bosco), Liam Miller (South Torrance), Evan Noonan (Dana Hills), Zion Ortiz (Burroughs, Ridgecrest), Andrew Quast (West Torrance), Elijah Rojas (Simi Valley), Michael Scarince (South Pasadena), Oliver Zimmerman (Thousand Oaks)

Race #9            10:35 am          Division 4 Girls

The girls from JSerra are the odds-on favorite to claim their fourth consecutive Division 4 crown. The only other squad to achieve that feat was also the JSerra program from 2010-13. Sophie Polay, Chloe Elbaz and Reese Holley lead the charge for a crew that could very well score less than 25 points. Cruising through a week ago, they placed their top six in a 0.3 of a second spread. The only question is how much they save in the tank for the state meet as they seek a return trip to NXN.

Sophie Polay (J Serra, 10/18/2024)

The battle for that second-place hardware is up for grabs. Coming into the action, Harvard Westlake moved up from fourth to second in recent rankings as their trio up front will put them ahead early. But Bishop Amat and Palos Verdes have also displayed steady improvement as the season has developed. Palos Verdes looks to advance for the 17th consecutive season.

La Canada and heavy individual favorite, Maya de Brouwer, will have the early advantage but will need to shore up their scoring depth to compete in the second-place team battle. They may need to watch out as Laguna Beach has displayed marked improvement since the preseason while two-time defending runner-up in this division, Oaks Christian, comes in ranked seventh and slated for the last spot to the state meet.

Individually, La Canada’s de Brouwer should lead this one early on and control the narrative from there on out. She shined at the Clovis Invite (17:20) and came back to roll on the Mt. SAC Course (17:38) while cruising to a 17:56.6 finish time last week. The most likely challenger would be JSerra’s Polay who placed third at the 2023 state meet, just ahead of de Brouwer.

Top Individuals:
Maddie Caughey (Big Bear), Maya DeBrouwer (La Canada), Chloe Elbaz (JSerra), Maddie Giorgio (Marlborough), Reese Holley (JSerra), Hayden Kroger (JSerra), Delaney Napierala (Oaks Christian), Hutton Nelligan (JSerra), Madeline Nilo (Bishop Amat), Hannah Nourse (Laguna Hills), Sophie Polay (JSerra), Belen Santiago (Rosary), Kate Sherry (Palos Verdes), Kaia Streadbeck (JSerra), Kaylah Tasser (JSerra)

 

Race #10          11:00 am          Division 5 Boys   
Two-time defending team champions Viewpoint regained the top ranking last month and now sit in the pole position and are primed to earn their third consecutive title. Olly O’Connor has been on a role this season and has his team out front early with fellow junior, Andrew Neville, also vying for a top-10 finish. If there is a year to stop Viewpoint’s streak, it is this year as their top seven are ALL underclassmen.

Olly O’Connor (Viewpoint, 10/11/2024)

Who is in line to steal the title perhaps? Ontario Christian, led by Nathan Lacambra, has been in the team title conversation all season long and will jump at the opportunity if any hiccups occur with the Viewpoint squad. Also, look for St. Margaret's to be in the conversation up front as they will advance to the state meet for the 16th time in the past 17 seasons.

All the while, Thacher was ranked 10th in the preseason but jumped into the state meet conversation last month.

Flintridge Prep comes into the action, ranked fifth in the division. With the longest-running streak in the Southern Section, the Wolves have advanced each year since 1996. They placed seventh in 2023, but keep in mind that there are only six spots open for the state meet this season.

Hawthorne Math and Science, Desert Christian (Lancaster) and Xavier College Prep (Palm Desert) are most likely battling for that final spot to next weekend.

Individually, Woodcrest Christian’s Eyan Turk is the two-time defending Division 5 champ. He has made the podium at the California State Meet all three years and crossed the line as the state champion in 2023. Turk was the second fastest Californian at the Woodbridge Invite, just behind ML King’s Max Zavaleta, and then captured the Inland Empire title (ahead of Zavaleta) last month. Viewpoint’s O’Connor has been one of the most improved boys in the state and will push Turk as both should go under 14:50 on the new Mt. SAC course.

Top Individuals:
Finn Babbitt (Mary Star of the Sea), Zach Causee (St. Margaret's), Declan Mansbridge (Flintridge Prep), Andrew Neville (Viewpoint), Olly O’Connor (Viewpoint), Jack Richter (Viewpoint), Eyan Turk (Woodcrest Christian), Theo Udelson-Nee (Wildwood), Mehari Winheim (Desert Christian-Lancaster), Henry Virtue (Providence-Burbank), Samarth Wadhwa (St. Margaret's)