The high school cross country season has already begun in several sections, or is about to get underway all across the state later this month.
Here is a look at the top boys cross country program in each of the 10 sections in California entering this season.
There are several returning section champions looking to extend their dynastic runs, runner-up teams looking to rebound from heartbreaking setbacks and younger programs that benefited from valuable experiences last year in their pursuit of breakthrough performances this season.
Read below to find out which boys cross country team was highlighted in each section:
CENTRAL SECTION
Buchanan
Coach: Brian Weaver
Last season: Runner-up in Division 1 section final, 11th at Division 1 state final
Outlook: Despite winning the past two Tri-River Athletic Conference titles, the Bears haven’t won a section championship since 2017, including a 28-point setback to Clovis East in last year’s final.
Buchanan returns its top six athletes from last year’s state final, giving the Bears the depth to not only prevail against Clovis East in its own conference and division, but providing Buchanan the personnel capable of holding off Division 2 contender Matilda Torres.
Luke Sanders, Max Jauregui and Deaglan Givan are the top seniors for the Bears, who will also rely on juniors Michael Pritsky and Jansen Geyer, as well as sophomores Dylan Rea and Andrew Ray.
CENTRAL COAST SECTION
Menlo School
Coach: Jorge Chen
Last season: Runner-up in Division 5 section final, 4th at Division 5 state final
Outlook: With West Bay Athletic League rival and two-time Division 5 state champion Crystal Springs Uplands graduating four athletes from last year’s lineup, the window of opportunity is present for the Knights to finally capture a state title, especially after a heartbreaking four-point setback in 2022.
Despite the absence of Landon Pretre at last year’s state final as a result of injury, Menlo was still in contention for another podium finish.
With Pretre returning, in addition to all seven competitors from last year’s state championship, the Knights have the potential to knock off Crystal Springs Uplands, as well as be competitive against Division 1 program Bellarmine College Prep within the section.
William Hauser and Jared Saal are the standout seniors in the lineup, in addition to Pretre, with support from sophomore Henry Hauser and Jonah Block, plus junior Arnay Srinivasan.
L.A. CITY SECTION
Palisades
Coach: Rob Hockley
Last season: Won Division 1 section title, 4th at Division 1 state final
Outlook: The Dolphins captured their third consecutive section championship and sixth in program history, but it was their performance at the state meet that will be remembered as perhaps their most impressive effort of the season, providing added belief entering this fall.
Although Palisades graduated second runner-up Max Fields, the Dolphins still return five athletes from last year’s lineup. Blake Sigworth and Zachary Cohen, both juniors, are capable of elevating their performances in the absence of Fields and fellow graduate Axel Mammen, with senior Owen Lewicky also a valuable contributor.
Palisades will need to rely on continued improvement from junior Andrew Razo in order to maintain its advantage against San Pedro, Granada Hills and Cleveland this season.
NORTH COAST SECTION
Miramonte
Coach: Andrew Lewis
Last season: Won Division 4 section title, 4th at Division 4 state final
Outlook: Livermore Granada has remained a constant presence for the past three years, not only dominating Division 2 with its championship streak, but establishing itself as the elite overall program in the section.
With Granada graduating six competitors from their lineup last season, there is the potential for a changing of the guard in the section from a new group of Matadors at Miramonte, with several returning division champions also looking to secure bragging rights.
Although Miramonte graduated Asher Patel, the program returns seniors James Jenkins and Breyden Collins, junior Preston Repulles and sophomore Brendon Collins from last year’s lineup that captured a section title for the first time since winning the Division 3 crown in 2012.
Tamalpais, Concord De La Salle, Archie Williams and Larkspur Redwood also return impressive lineups.
NORTHERN SECTION
Pleasant Valley
Coach: Vince Phipps
Last season: Won section title, 20th at Division 3 state final
Outlook: The Vikings captured the title last year after Chico had prevailed in 2022, and will look to build on that success this season with four of their top five competitors scheduled to return.
Although Pleasant Valley lost Austin Hein to graduation, a strong senior class provides valuable experience, led by Jackson Hein, Nolan McLaughlin, Mark Doud and Quentin Clarke.
Justin Plummer and Lucas Jimenez, both juniors, provide necessary depth for the Vikings, in addition to senior Grady Denman.
University Prep returns its top five scorers from a runner-up finish at the section final last season, looking to close the gap on Pleasant Valley.
OAKLAND SECTION
Oakland Tech
Coach: Mallory Servais
Last season: Won section title, 20th at Division 2 state final
Outlook: The Bulldogs captured back-to-back section championships and return four competitors from last year’s lineup, although it will be challenging to replace two of their top athletes in Miles Jones and Alexi Leduc, who both graduated.
There is still strong leadership and meaningful experience present on the Oakland Tech roster, with seniors Gus Schafer, Oliver Arnold, Nathan Dewan, Steven Morehead and Rory Porter.
Skyline last won the section title in 2021, and it will be difficult for the Titans to challenge Oakland Tech following the graduation of four of their top five competitors from last season.
SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION
Jesuit
Coach: Walt Lange
Last season: Won Division 2 section title, 4th at Division 2 state final
Outlook: The Marauders enter the season with plenty of motivation after narrowly missing a podium finish in the state championship race last year. Jesuit also returns five athletes from that lineup and remains a young group that continued to improve during track season.
Drake Hoferer, Isaac Abbott and Kyle Jakary are junior standouts, with sophomores Matthew Ogilvie, Lucas Alberts and Rafael Jopson also strong contributors for the Marauders, who will benefit from the leadership of seniors Navin Kadel and Chase Cressman.
After being edged by Stockton Lincoln by a one-point margin in the Division 1 section final in 2022, Jesuit prevailed in a new division last season, capturing the program’s 30th championship overall and the first in Division 2 since 2013.
SAN DIEGO SECTION
Cathedral Catholic
Coach: Dan Geiger
Last season: Runner-up in Division 3 section final, 13th at Division 3 state final
Outlook: Sage Creek secured victory by a 21-point margin against Cathedral Catholic in last year’s section final to win back-to-back titles, but the Dons had five underclassmen in their lineup who gained valuable experience in preparation for this season, where they will look to secure their first division championship since 2019.
Cathedral Catholic features an impressive junior class with Nathan Wilber, Teddy Lang, Spencer Todd and Makai Labayen, in addition to sophomore Aiden Angeles.
Although Sage Creek returns two of its top three athletes from last year, it will be a challenge for the Bobcats to replace the loss of five competitors to graduation.
Westview, Torrey Pines and Canyon Crest Academy also endured significant graduation losses in their lineups, creating opportunities for Cathedral Catholic and Del Norte to take significant steps forward.
SAN FRANCISCO SECTION
Lowell
Coach: Andy Leong
Last season: Won section title, 21st at Division 3 state final
Outlook: The Cardinals captured their 16th consecutive section title last season, but extending the streak this fall could be a challenge for Lowell following the graduation of four competitors from last year’s lineup.
Jaden Huang, Dexter Tu and Jake Saje are seniors who will be relied on to demonstrate consistency for the Cardinals, who are also expecting continued development from juniors Malcolm Barry-Kao and Henry Witt.
Galileo Academy returns five athletes from last year’s section final, looking to become the first team to knock off Lowell for the championship since 2005.
SOUTHERN SECTION
Great Oak
Coach: Tammy Draughon
Last season: Runner-up in Division 1 section final, runner-up at Division 1 state final
Outlook: For one of the most successful programs in state history, a four-year stretch without a section title might be considered a significant drought, especially when the Wolfpack won five consecutive Division 1 championships from 2015-19.
But Great Oak has the depth and the drive to capture another title this season, especially with the strongest senior class in the state leading the way.
Jacob Brown, Westin Brown, Jack Paradise and Christian Gump all possess experience and leadership for Great Oak, which also returns impactful junior Marco Franco.
Carson Lynch, Nicolas Ovalle and Ruben Sanchez are also improved contributors for the program, which is expecting to be challenged by Beckman, Martin Luther King and Mira Costa.