The mornings are getting chilly, league meets are getting colder (and darker); cross country season is definitely in full swing in California. To me it feels like it's about time for a pilgramage to Woodward Park and the Clovis Invitational. This year there are 21 teams competing which are ranked in the DyeStatCAL Girls or Boys Top 25, as well as many of the top individuals in the state. In fact, we will see some stellar matchups which have yet to take place this season. I'm glad to say DyeStatCAL will be there getting video of every race! Let's look at the headlining Championship races from an individual and team perspective.  

 

 

     The team competition in the championship is simply loaded.  It will include 9 of the top 25 ranked teams in the state, and 6 of the current top 10! (see current rankings) The Simi Valley girls are taking their first trip to the Clovis Invitational to get some more experience on the Woodward Park course as they seek their first state title after a near miss two years ago.  Ranked #1 in California and #3 in the nation, the Simi Valley girls are in the midst of their best season ever. Of course senior front runner Sarah Baxter is a low stick for the team, but the already stacked Pioneers received the gift of two super freshmen in Kaitlin Wood and Samantha Barajas.  Those three, along with solid scorers in senior Charlotte Utash and junior Desiree Jones, and the Pioneers look unstoppable!

     But they will face some stiff competition to say the least.  Capistrano Valley, currently ranked #4 in California, is first on the list of challengers led by senior middle distance standout Natalie Herberg. The Capo Valley girls finished as runner-up to Simi at Woodbridge and had a dominating performance at the recent Dana Hills Invitational as well.

     Also up for the challenge is local favorites Buchanan, currently ranked 5th in the state.  The Bears will be in their first major competition following an outstanding 5th place at Woodbridge, led by Hannah Benoit's 4th place showing. 

     We should also expect a strong run for the Davis Senior girls, led by the 1-2 punch of (Stanford Champion) Fiona O'Keeffe and Sofia Castigliono.

     It is also important to mention the quickly improving girls from Poway in the San Diego Section, currently ranked 8th in California. Led senior Sophie Smith along with freshman Alex Calegari and sophomore Savannah Santiago, they have been a pleasant surprise so far this season, and may only be getting started.  

   But perhaps the most heavily anticipated matchup is that of Simi Valley and Saugus. Though they are "only" ranked 9th in the current DyeStatCAL rankings, the Centurians have a long history of rising to the occasion when it matters most. While it is mid-season for the rest of us, something tells me the Saugus girls are just getting rolling. Coming off a surprise (and short-handed) Foothill league loss, they had a dominating performance at last weekend's Dos Pueblos Invitational behind Samantha Ortega's record-breaking performance.  In past years at Clovis, Saugus has split their squad between varsity and frosh soph races, and haven't hit the big race at full strength. This year, though, coach Rene Paragas intends to get this young squad the high caliber racing experience they need by entering them in the Championship race here.  

     Other noteworthy girls teams include #12 Arcadia, #23, Clovis North, #24 Yucaipa, and D3 power Bonita.  

 

 

 

 

     There are 12 boys teams from our most recent DyeStatCAL Top 25 in the boys Championship race on Saturday. Headlining the field are the Arcadia boys, who have held steady at their #1 ranking ever since their dominating win at the Cross Coutry Classic. The fab five of Estevan De La Rosa, Phillip Rocha, Thomas Tran, Jarrick Wenslow, and Joshue Gonzalez put 5 in the top 25 at the extremely competitive Sweepstakes race, and are likely out to duplicate the feat at Clovis.  

     The Apaches are going to get a challenge from the Central Valley's own Madera South boys, currently ranked 3rd in the state. Fresh off a dominant win at the Central Park Invitational last weekend, they were a solid 4th at Cross Country Classic.  They will need to step up there game a bit, however, if they are going to give the apaches a run for their money.

     Also in the mix is 8th ranked Brea Olinda, lead by sophomore Austin Tamagno. The boys from Brea are continuing to put the pieces together, and it will be telling to see how they measure up at Woodward Park.

     Crescenta Valley is currently ranked 9th and have also bee looking better and better.  Led by senior Gabe Collison, the Falcons could mount a challenge if they can close the gap to their 5th runner. 

     Perrenial powerhouse Dana Hills, currently ranked 10th, is also a team to be reckoned with.  The Dolphins looked very good at Laguna Hills, Mt. Carmel, their home Dana Hills Invitational, but this is the first time they will be facing top California teams of this caliber. 

     Other challengers include # 13 Long Beach Poly, #14 Clovis North, #15 Saugus, #21 Fountain Valley, #23 Glendora, #24 Dos Pueblos, and #25 California.  Also in the mix are D3 ranked powers Bishop O'Dowd and Bonita.

 

     Follow @DyeStatCAL on twitter to get all the updates from the Clovis Invitational, and come back for results, updates, and more.  Below is a summary of the ranked teams taking part in the championship races    

Girls Championship Race			Boys Championship Race
Team	Rank		Team	Rank
Simi Valley	1		Arcadia	1
Capistrano Valley	4		Madera South	3
Buchanan	5		Brea Olinda	8
Davis Senior	7		Crescenta Valley	9
Poway	8		Dana Hills	10
Saugus	9		Long Beach Poly	13
Arcadia	12		Clovis North	14
Clovis North	23		Saugus	15
Yucaipa	24		Fountain Valley	21
Bonita	D3 - 6		Glendora	23
			Dos Pueblos	24
			California (Whittier)	25
			Bishop O'Dowd	D3 - 6
			Bonita	D3 - 7