CIF-State Division II Rankings
provided
by Rich Gonzalez (www.dyestatcal.com)
June 2003BOYS
- Jesuit, Carmichael (SJS) –
California’s greatest boys tradition is faced with a daunting task in 2003:
Trying to successfully defend its state title despite losing superb team
leader Austin Ramos and another key frontrunner in Steven Vargas. Can the
Marauders work more magic? Senior John Wihtol wheeled a fine 9:16/3200 this
past month, signifying surefire improvement from this mega-program’s latest
star.
- San Ramon Valley, Danville (NCS)
– If Jesuit qualifies as Goliath, let us introduce you to David. SRV
enjoyed a masterfully successful campaign last fall, with the nucleus of that
squad (paced by Dallin Rosdahl and Scott Bauhs) well positioned to possibly
propel the crew onto the scene among the elite teams in the Western U.S. A
repeat of last year’s prudent and conservative approach should land them on
the podium in Fresno. The question? Which step will they be standing on?
- St. John Bosco, Bellflower (SS)
– The sound favorites for Southern Section prominence this fall are the
Braves, who welcome back five solid returnees (15:52 to 17:15 in Fresno) in a
division where most of their counterparts are either reloading or foreign to
these levels of championship demands. Randy Skillens leads the crew.
- Sonora, La Habra (SS) – Massive
divisional reloading helps explain how a team that didn’t even advance to the
state meet ;ast year is now in the thick of statewide honors this fall. With
four runners sub-16:40 on the Mt. SAC course and another not too far behind,
Sonora has both the frontrunning (Art Martinez, 15:24 at CIF-SS Finals) and
the depth to finish ahead of the traditional powers this time out!
- Loyola, Los Angeles (SS) – The
Cubs lose three of the top four and many people have written them off. Guess
what... they never nailed the coffin shut on these guys! Sensational distance
runner Mark Matusak (4:11/9:04 in track, 15:07 at Mt. SAC) and rising star
Matt Miller (sub-4:30/1600) give the defending state champions a nice starting
point, but pretty good depth plus the return of one key contributor from and
end-of-2002 injury will help them nicely. Could Loyola position itself for the
CIF title in a new division by season's end?
- College Park, Pleasant Hills (NCS)
– Opting to petition up to the Division I level in recent years, a
2003 rule change has forced this group to remain in Division II this time out.
That should be good news for the division, which inherits another fine program
known more for its excellence on the girls’ side in recent years. Mitchell
Steves (16:11 at Woodward Park) and Brady Pivirotto lead its contingent.
- Sultana, Hesperia (SS) – It’s
just a hunch, but we feel this team has the best upside in the division. Solid
numbers, fine depth and an excellent cast of coaches. Alex Deleeuw and Robert
Hernandez were 16:11 and 16:16, respectively, at last year’s section finals,
leading five returnees.
- Brea-Olinda, Brea (SS) –
Quietly, the Wildcats have ascended the ranks and are ready to challenge the
Southland elite this fall. The lead returning trio of Matt Moulson, Danny
Dimeo and Sean April averaged 16:24 along the Mt. SAC course last fall, with
the other projected scorers already at sub-17:00!
- University City (SDS) -- One of
the top sohomores in the state leads this crew, with Riley Booker clocking
16:24 as a ninth grader at Woodward Park. The University City crew welcomes
back four runners from a squad that finished second in Division III.
Moves in from Division III.
- Granite Bay (SJS) – There’s a
huge group of teams being considered for the last spot in the poll, but
Granite Bay gets the nod as a trio of sub-17:00 Woodward Park performers lead
all seven runners back from a squad placing 14th at state a year ago. Tim
Bardet and Chris Fuller lead a very able crew that has able enjoyed success in
girls cross country and in track and field in recent years.
GIRLS
- Sultana, Hesperia (SS) –
There's enough hoopla surround this team to last a decade, with all the tools
in place for a blockbuster season. Unbeatable? Not quite. Remember, these are
teens, so even the greatest collection of talent seen in two decades is no
outright guarantee of championship results.
- Ventura (SS) -- If our attempt
at easing some of the above pressure off the Sultans became apparent, here's
part of the reason why: The Cougars flashed fine youth the last few years,
have progressed them very well, and benefit from a great coaching tandem.
- San Pasqual, Escondido (SDS) –
It'd be wise to give this team its just due and respect, with the finely
peaked 2001 state champions welcoming six from a crew that placed seventh in
state last year despite having its top runner finish well into the pack. This
could get interesting, fellas!
- College Park, Pleasant Hill (NCS) –
Lindsay Allen should be flirting with statewide title honors up
front, helping kickstart a fine team-scoring effort that has a small ways to
go in catching our top trio of teams. Nevertheless, six returnees label this
team as among the better ones, all divisions combined.
- Montgomery, Santa Rosa (NCS) –
Program with rich tradition in both team and individual accolades over the
years, look for Montgomery's six returnees to keep College Park on its toes in
the battle for asection championship. Each of these NCS powers vies for
state-meet hardware as well!
- Sunny Hills, Fullerton (SS) –
Although the leading quintet of teams looks solid from top to bottom, Sunny
Hills is the first to shine an apparent weakness, with a three-minute time gap
through its scoring pack. Stacy and Claire Kim lead (18:28/18:35 in Fresno),
with two others safely under 20 minutes.
- Cypress, Anaheim (SS) – Pretty
fine depth all the way down the ranks (seven at sub-21 minutes at Fresno in
the year-end meet, with all those returning), maybe only overconfidence could
be a nemesis here. Should be destined for a top-three sectional finish by
year's end, with all the tools in place.
- Villa Park (SS) – Jordan
McCarthy and Erica Sahli are a great pair of frontrunners for Orange County's
latest regional power, with its 2003 collections sporting four runners
sub-20:10 at the Woodward Park course before having some work to do.
- Woodbridge, Irvine (SS) –
Should be another potent group of race-day Warriors once again, with six able
bodies (all sub-20:45 on the championship course) reportedly about to be
joined by a fine age-group talent. This group has a knack for peaking well, so
our top teams will be on the run!
- Granite Bay (SJS) – National
qualifier Caitlin Chock returns after a lenghty layoff, hoping to do her part
in leading a fine cast of six returnees out to improve on its 11th-place
finish of a year ago. Kristi Okimura and Rachel Weathers are a fine duo
expected to offer up quality support!
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