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 girls 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 girls cross country team was highlighted in each section:
CENTRAL SECTION
Buchanan
Coach: Brian Weaver
Last season: Won Division 1 section title, runner-up at Division 1 state final
Outlook: The Bears captured their seventh consecutive section championship and 24th in program history last season, with the exceptional run expected to continue this season, especially with the arrival of impact freshmen Brooklyn Buckley, Gaby Gutierrez and Olivia Rea to an already deep roster.
Buchanan would already boast the most impressive lineup in the section based solely on the return of Elle Lomeli, Sierra Cornett and Avery Hutchinson, juniors Kynzlee Buckley and Tayler Torosian, along with sophomore Molly Sundgren.
But the addition of the promising ninth-graders have the Bears in position to challenge for a fifth state title, including the fourth in the past five seasons.
CENTRAL COAST SECTION
St. Francis (Mountain View)
Coach: Phil Pompei
Last season: Won Division 2 section title, 3rd at Division 2 state final
Outlook: One of the best matchups in any section throughout the state in recent years has involved St. Francis and Los Altos to determine Division 2 supremacy, with the Lancers winning titles in 2018, 2019 and 2021, Los Altos securing both sectional and state championships in 2022, followed by St. Francis capturing the crown again last season and earning a second straight third-place performance at the state final.
The Lancers return six athletes from their lineup at the state finals, including seniors Caitlin Cilley and Sabrina Zanetto, juniors Lauren Draper, Charlie Hofstetter and Katie Mullane, plus sophomore Julia Salamacha.
St. Francis Mountain View could also benefit from the continued improvement of Payton Wagner, but is more than capable of winning another section title and challenging again for a state championship.
L.A. CITY SECTION
Palisades
Coach: Robert Hockley
Last season: Won Division 1 section title, 15th at Division 1 state final
Outlook: The Dolphins halted a five-year Division 1 title run by Granada Hills, and even more impressively, they did so with three freshmen in the lineup, including section champion Zoey Morris.
Palisades, which has won seven section titles in program history, has five returning competitors overall from its victorious lineup, with fellow sophomores Gabriella Gilyard and Vitalijo Schafer joining Morris.
Louisa Mammen and Dalia Harinck are juniors who have plenty of potential as well. Granada Hills returns five athletes from its roster that finished second to the Dolphins last season, but the presence of Morris and Mammen up front for Palisades might be too much to overcome.
NORTH COAST SECTION
San Ramon Valley
Coach: Rick Nee
Last season: Won Division 2 section title, 10th at Division 2 state final
Outlook: The Wolves survived a thrilling showdown with Monte Vista in the Division 2 final to capture the program’s first section crown since 1992.
With senior Hailey Gunderson, the reigning section champion, and junior Margot Schultz both returning for San Ramon Valley, the group has the potential to secure back-to-back titles for the first time since 1983-84.
The Wolves have five returning athletes from last year’s lineup, including senior Alyssa Salven, junior Alexandra Smith and sophomore Ila Mustin. Another sophomore, Emily Roesgen, adds meaningful depth for San Ramon Valley, which is seeking a seventh section championship.
Following several years of being the most dominant program in the section, Campolindo could be overshadowed in Division 3 this season by Santa Rosa Montgomery, which boasts the elite trio in the entire section in Hanne Thomsen, Seelah Kittlestrom and Amrie Lacefield.
NORTHERN SECTION
Chico
Coach: Kevin Girt
Last season: Won section title, 22nd at Division 3 state final
Outlook: The Panthers prevailed for a fourth consecutive season following a one-point loss at the 2018 section final to Palo Cedro Foothill. Chico is expected to return six competitors from last year’s lineup, including senior Ava-Marie Csutoras, a leading contender for the section title.
Mira Sidhu, Sienna Jones, Lillian Jeffords and Rosalie Brown provide senior leadership for the Panthers, with juniors Taylor Wellersdick and Reese Alvistur also emerging as valuable contributors in the program.
Yreka also returns six athletes from a runner-up team last season, but it will be a challenge for the Miners to challenge Chico following the graduation of section champion Mattie Whipple, as well as Augustine Mylan.
OAKLAND SECTION
Oakland Tech
Coach: Mallory Servais
Last season: Won section title, 23rd at Division 2 state final
Outlook: The Bulldogs have bounced back in impressive fashion after enduring a one-point setback to Skyline in 2021, capturing the past two section titles by two and four points, respectively.
Chloe Leduc has been a significant factor for Oakland Tech, winning back-to-back individual section championships, and is a big reason why the Bulldogs have the potential to win three in a row, as she leads a lineup with five returning athletes.
Harper Carlson, Abigayl Habte and Reba Myall-Martin are experienced seniors, with junior Sophia Doane providing consistency and necessary depth on the Oakland Tech roster.
Although there is little margin for error in order for the Bulldogs to extend their title run, Skyline graduated three of their top four competitors and will need to rebuild in preparation to capture another championship.
SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION
Rocklin Whitney
Coach: Jerry Dodge
Last season: Won Division 2 section title, runner-up at Division 2 state final
Outlook: Despite Granite Bay and Oak Ridge both returning six competitors from last season, Whitney still possesses enough depth to remain the top program in the section until another team is capable of knocking off the Wildcats.
The graduation of Karissa Chamberlain, last year’s section champion, will be the biggest obstacle for Whitney to overcome, but the experience gained last season by juniors Sophie Hutchinson, Jane Landon and Addison Ewers will be extremely beneficial this fall.
The continued development of senior Isabel Soto, in addition to the improvement of sophomore Eva Soto, combined with the arrival of freshman Kaylee Smith, provide the necessary depth for Whitney to withstand the challenge of Granite Bay in its own division, since River Valley will compete in Division 3 this season after finishing fourth in Division 2 last year.
Oak Ridge should remain the section’s frontrunner in Division 1.
SAN DIEGO SECTION
Del Norte
Coach: Chris Jacobs
Last season: Won Division 1 section title, 5th at Division 1 state final
Outlook: The Nighthawks captured back-to-back section championships and with the top four competitors from that lineup returning, Del Norte remains strong in its pursuit of a potential three-peat.
Emily Russo and Paige Echsner have been consistent contributors throughout their careers and have benefited from racing in high-level competitions since their freshman year.
Sophomore Eliza Hong and junior Addison Shannon have continued to improve and provide impressive support, with fellow 11th- graders Lilah Enyedi and Samhita Lagisetti both ready to take on increased roles for the Nighthawks.
Scripps Ranch, the reigning Division 2 champion, returns six athletes from last season, and Division 3 winner Cathedral Catholic has five competitors expected to return, but the impressive presence up front for Del Norte could be the biggest difference this fall.
SAN FRANCISCO SECTION
Lowell
Coach: Andy Leong
Last season: 3rd at section final
Outlook: Following 11 consecutive section championships, Lowell was not only knocked off last season, but the Cardinals finished behind both Galileo Academy and George Washington in the championship race.
It marked the first time since Lincoln prevailed in 2009 that Lowell didn’t capture the section title, but there was plenty of optimism for the program with three freshmen gaining valuable experience in last year’s final.
There will be no shortage of motivation for Lowell to return to the top of the podium this season, with seniors Lastevia Muir and Mirabel Adams supporting junior Kyra Liu and sophomores Lucia Catterall, Ayumi Stohr and Sofia Carvajal.
With Galileo Academy and George Washington both graduating their top competitors from last year, Lowell’s depth could be the deciding factor in the postseason.
SOUTHERN SECTION
Corona Santiago
Coach: Ricky Etheridge
Last season: Won Division 1 section title, won Division 1 state title
Outlook: The deepest section in the state boasts four teams capable of being the elite program in November, but JSerra, Trabuco Hills and Ventura will all be pursuing Corona Santiago throughout the season in order to earn that impressive distinction.
Rylee Blade, a senior, and junior Braelyn Combe are the best pair in the state, with the Sharks relying on meaningful experience from senior Audrey Buckley and juniors Taylor Davis, Kinsley Whitecavage and Jaela Jaffe.
Sophomore Anna Hill will have more opportunities to showcase her potential this season, with Corona Santiago motivated to demonstrate that it is once again capable of rising to the occasion in big races throughout the state like the Sharks did in their one-point victory last year against Buchanan at the state final.
JSerra boasts the most depth in the section, Trabuco Hills features the most underrated lineup and Ventura benefits from returning six athletes from its Division 2 championship last year, highlighted by senior Sadie Engelhardt.