CIF 2013 Boys Team Preview: US#3 Arcadia face strong contenders
CIF 2013 Boys Team Preview: US#3 Arcadia face strong contenders
Boys Division 1
If you want drama heading into the race for the Division 1 crown you've got it! Saucony #3 Arcadia boys have weathered quite a few storms this season and look very good entering the state race. They come off of a 2012 season which saw them win a national title in the mud of Portland Meadows and the loss of their long-time head coach this summer. But they are here and they are certainly ready to race with Estevan De La Rosa and Phillip Rocha at the helm.
It won't be a gimme though, with Saucony #9 Madera South in the race. Madera South won their sectional with ease over Clovis North and have a very solid top-3 in Eduardo Herrera, Miguel Villar and David Garcia. Also throwing their hats in the ring are the boys of Warren, who took down the three-time defending champs, Arcadia, in the Southern Section Finals with a stunning #2 All-Time 75:31 clocking. A few other teams that could stick their nose in the fight include Loyola, De La Salle, and Dana Hills.
Boys Division 2
The team race here could go to any one of the top six teams, but there are two teams battling near the front. Saugus and Westlake both have talented squads and are accustomed to winning so expect both teams to put up quite the fight. If either squad falters though Dos Pueblos, Simi Valley, Canyon, or Mcfarland will be right there to pick up the pieces. Dos Pueblos does appear to have some momentum as they finished 2nd to Saugus in the Southern Section Finals.
Boys Division 3
Brea Olinda has turned head all fall and looks to be getting stronger as the season progresses. They won the Southern Section finals in impressive fashion over Jurupa Hills 77 to 86. Palos Verdes could also stick their nose in this one as well.
Boys Division 4
Yreka is the top D4 team in California and dominated their Northern Section Finals race to bring a lot of momentum into the state meet. Salesian could challenge them for the title, but only finished 5th in the Southern Section finals. Laguna Beach, Harvard Westlake, and JSerra Catholic all finished very close together ahead of Salesian.
Boys Division 5
St. Joe Notre Dame is the best D5 team in the state, with a dominating win at the North Coast Finals. Their performance was made even more impressive by being the best team overall regardless of Division, and that was with D1 power De La Salle in their section. They could have some competition from Flintridge Prep, who are fresh off their D5 win in the Southern Section Finals.
The 2013 CIF State Cross Country Championships will be streamed live on Flotrack starting at 8 a.m. PST.