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Cross Country 1999

CA: NCS Newsletter 8/21

by Peter Brewer

Where is MOC? - Girls Preview - Boys Preview - 

Division 1 Ain't What it could be - NCS Enrollment Divisions -
 
Where is MOC?
And the answer is ...

 
    	We don’t know yet.  With Newhall park unavailable because the city

of Concord gave that Saturday to the Mt. Diable Soccer Club for a soccer

tournament, minds are busy churning to come up with a solution.  Can we

swing a deal with the soccer club and the city of Concord?  Do we choose

another site for this year? If we do go to another site, which one?
	And of course, choosing a site opens all the usual arguments about

determining which course is better than another.  There are several

sides to that discussion, but individual preferences aside (flat vs.

hilly,  grassy vs. trails, “tough” vs. “easy”) the real considerations

that determine a championship course are more mundane -- a large enough

starting line; a large enough finish area; adequate parking; a good

amount of visibility; adequate amount of restrooms.
	The NCS office is going to meet with the Cross Country Management team

and try to hammer out a decision sometime in the next week or so.  Be

sure to call the NCS office to voice your opinion, or drop me a line or

a call to let me know what you think, and I’ll carry your concerns to

this meeting.
	However it works out, we will have  Meet of Champions race, and we have

a whole season to prepare for it.  Good luck on getting your team ready,

and be sure to send me those results from all thos dual meets and

invitationals.  Thanks.
--Peter

1999 Cross Country Preview

 Girls’ Teams
	These rankings are, as always, a stab in the dark at best.  So many

variables come into play during a season that  seldom does the picture

at the end resemble the prognostications at the beginning.  Still, it is

a start, and the best guess so far.  What keeps this from being a more

complete picture is the absence of any real knowledge of the incoming

freshman class.  Sure, there are those much-heralded age-group runners

who tilt the balance dramatically here and there, but I am referring

more to those talented young runners who spend a year buried in the

frosh-soph results before they erupt on the scene a year or two later. 

Injuries and illnesses also change the running landscape quickly.  But

that is what these rankings are for, to sort out the overall picture

more accurately as the season progresses. Here is the initial 1999

offering.
	These rankings are sorted into the divisions that the teams are placed

according to the latest NCS data. Some teams will petition up to a

larger division and that will skew these  rankings a bit. The division

cutoff numbers reflect the school population grades 10-12.  Those three

years are used for comparison purposes.  Other sports use the grades

9-11 instead.  The difference is that sports that have a division State

Championship (cross country,  basketball, volleyball) use the 10-12

numbers.  Sports that end their season at the section level (football,

baseball) use the 9-11 figures. Don’t ask me why.
Division I (1533 + )

1. Mission San Jose

2. Castro Valley

3. James Logan

4. Deer Valley

5. Berkeley
Mission is the clear favorite here.  Even with Katie Hotchkiss moving on

to Stanford (do all the top runners in the world go there?) the Warriors

remain strong.  Senior Hagu Soloman (State 19:05-26th D-1, 2:27.69-800)

heads a pack of seasoned State Meet Veterans.  Seniors Christine Kwon,

Christine Lay, Kristin Tanaka, Vasantha Kolavennu and junior Kiron

Punwani all return for the 1999 campaign.  Castro Valley features

Courtney Stewart  at the lead (State 19:15-35th D-1, 11:31.8-3200) and

also a now-healthy Colleen McGrellis  (2:27-800, 5:27-1600, 12:11-3200)

who is a 1997 State Meet veteran.  The Trojans also return 5 of 7 for an

experienced crew.  James Logan has the junior Bahati Bodden (NCS

21:13-20th) who improved to 2:13.57-800.  She is joined by veteran

senior Christine Whittaker and junior Stacy Aurit  (5:33.60-1600).  Deer

Valley is still a new school, with no impact yet on distance running,

but they put together a full program last year and can only improve. 

Berkeley failed to field a complete team last year at NCS, but at least

they have a tradition of running.  
Division II (1217-1532)

1. Clayton Valley

2. Montgomery

3. Antioch

4. Amador Valley

5. Eureka

lurking in the shadows: College Park
Clayton Valley is once again  one of the elite programs in the NCS. 

They are defending NCS champions, 5th at the State Meet, and the Eagles

return 6 of 7. Sophomore Talita Wells (State 19:36-28th D-2) leads a

pack that includes senior Michele Howisey (19:59-42nd ), junior Kathleen

Ferrari (20:29-62nd ),  senior Ashly Valentine (20:45-75th) and

sophomore Andria Craig (21:00-85th).   Montgomery is always a threat for

top honors with the talents of juniors Sara Bei (State 17:22-1st D-3,

4:46.71-1600 10:28.75-3200) and Sarah Bashel (State 18:46-9th D-3,

11:15.20-3200).  Sophomores Joy Terribilini (State 20:52-79th D-3) and

Elisa Pederson (State 21:35-96th D-3) provide experienced backup for the

defending D-III champion Vikings.  Antioch  will be a serious challenger

here, with top-notch sophomore Janie Nolan (State 19:06-27th D-1,

5)7-1600, 10:51.62-3200) ready to lead the Panthers. Other returnees

include sophomore Christine Perez (NCS 20:38-13th D-1, 12:14-3200),

junior Angela Flood (NCS 20:43-14th D-1, 12:37-3200) and senior Katie

Wallace (NCS 21:02-18th D-1, 5:28-1600,11:58-3200), joined by junior

Stefanie Nunes 912:06-3200)   Amador Valley, 2nd in at NCS last year, 

continues to look strong with 6 of 7 returning.  Senior Marcie Silva is

again their leader (State 19:36-27th D-2, 11:30.6-3200).  The Dons will

also be counting on  sophomore Paula Calhoun (State 20:20-57th D-2).

Eureka has its usual solid crew to bring to the competition, led by

senior Andrea Woodcock (NCS 19:54-8th D-2).  Other returnees for the

Loggers include sophomores Megan Yarnell (NCS 21:00-21st D-2) and Sara

Kelley-Day (NCS 21:06-23rd D-2).  Senior June Moore joins them from

track (2:31.45-800).  College Park returns 6 of 7,  led by  senior Erin

Gerdts (State 20:09-47th D-11, 2:20.32-800).  The Falcons have a solid

#2 in sophomore Ashley Allen (NCS 19:58-10th D-2, 5:14.15-1600). Other

top individuals for this division include defending individual champion

senior Dyani Jones (State 19:35-26th D-2), Hayward’s sophomore Larisa

Solozhuk (State 19:48-59th D-1), Monte Vista’s junior Susan Chan (State

19:52-35th D-2, 11:23.51-3200), San Ramon’s  junior Katie Lee (NCS

19:35-3rd D-2) and Ukiah’s Amber Trotter (NCS 19:56-9th D-2).
Division III (908-1216)

1. Granada

2. Santa Rosa

3. Carondelet

4. Foothill

5. Maria Carillo
Granada is the power here.  They return their entire team intact from

their 3rd place State Meet squad. They are led by senior Julia Fischer

(State 19:08-11 D-3, 11:28.25-3200).  She has the capable veteran

support of senior Sara Alaei (19:40-26th), junior Laurie Melendez

(20:02-43rd), junior Kelly Crampton (20:15-51st, senior Amber Cano

(20:20-54th) and sophomore Monika Fischer (20:26-65th).  Santa Rosa is

in unfamiliar territory here, having spent the last 12 years in D-1 (and

they may petition up anyway).  Even with Trina Cox graduated, the

Panthers are not without returning firepower.  Senior Lindsay Johnson

heads the list of 5 returnees from last year’s 9th place D-1 State Meet

finish (State 19:52-63rd D-1, 2:20.98-800).  Senior Jackie Prange

(20:21-89th, 5:17.2-1600), sophomore Becca Parker (21:24-134th), junior

Anna Shaver (21:45-142nd) and senior Jackie White (22:08-147th)  provide

the experienced backup.  Carondelet is always a contender at the end of

the year, and this year they start out with returnees sophomore

Stephanie Byrne (NCS 20:53-24th D-3), junior Sarah Macauley (NCS

21:09-29th D-3) and junior Katrina Telfer (NCS 21:11-30th D-3,

5:25.97-1600).  They will be joined by tracksters junior Lindsay Fordon

2:22.15-800 and junior Alyson Wheeler (2:29.20-800).  Foothill is

dangerous with upfront power sophomore Jenny Esser (State 19:13-12th

D-3, 2:13.65-800, 5:08.52-1600).  Junior Megan Newton (East Bay League

champ, NCS 20:13-11th) is also a strong runner.  Maria Carillo boasts

sophomore Jenny Aldridge, who had a spectacular rookie season last year

(State 18:37-4th D-3) as well as a pretty good track season

(2:13.46-800, 5:16.08-1600).  Teammate junior Jenny Drady (NCS 20:47,

5:24.15-1600) is part of a young squad that will provide good support.  
Division IV (401-907)

1. Campolindo

2. Miramonte

3. Moreau Catholic

4. Bishop O’Dowd

5. Alhambra

In the picture: Piedmont
This looks a lot like 1998, with Campo and Miramonte at the top, but

they both return the majority of their teams so it is hard to argue at

this point.  Campo’s leading returning runners are junior Karen Lee

(State 20:18-42nd) and  senior Christine Akins (20:24-44th,

2:17.35-800).  The 1998 3rd place State Meet Cougars also bring back

experienced runners juniors Devon Foster (State 21:02-69th), Ashley

Mehler-Clark (21:07-72nd) and Natalie Sylvester (21:17-77th). 

MIramonte, 8th last year at state, starts off this year with sophomore

Gina Perrone (State 20:15-40th D-4). Teammates junior Amanda Brecht

(State20:28-46th D-4), senior Sarah Cooke (20:57-67th) and junior Liz

Henderson (21:50-93rd, 5:30.28-1600).  Moreau’s fortunes center around

junior Amber Hendrix (NCS 19:45-9th D-3) who is a 1997 State Meet

veteran.  Senior Courtney Burmann leads a large and young pack of

supporting runners.  Bishop O’Dowd also has a large and young squad with

juniors Angelina Elliot (NCS 20:51-27th D-4) and Sally Larson (NCS

21:09-32nd D-4) the top returnees.  Alhambra has the luxury of returning

two All-State runners in seniors Amy Loper-Riley (State 18:57-3rd D-4,

11:28.59-3200) and Jessica Neu (State 19:21-10th D-4, 5:13.88-1600). The

Bulldogs pack drops back after that.  Piedmont has a young squad with

sophomore Allison Jolda (NCS 20:39-20th D-4) to top veteran, and could

make an impression with the addition of track runners senior Mary Phelps

(11:57.6-3200) and junior Laurie Barbieri (2:27.47-800). Other top

runners to watch for include sophomore Bridget Duffy of St. Mary’s (NCS

19:59-9th D-4, 11:29.9-3200), junior Tiffany Vickers of far-flung Del

Norte (State 19:07-6th D-4, 11:22.16-3200) and junior Laurel Weil of El

Molino (State 19:10-8th D-4, 5:12.27-800, 5:22.99-1600, 12:00.50-3200).
Division V (1-400)

1. University

2. Convent

3. Lick-Wilmerding

4. Head-Royce

5. College Prep

Perhaps: Branson
This division has University written all over it.  Even after losing two

of their top three to graduation, the Red Devils are virtually

unbeatable in this division.  After setting standards in 1998 that will

be extremely hard to beat (sweeping the NCS finals 1-5, three straight 

State titles, top team of any size at Mt. SAC, the largest high school

invitational in the nation) they still retain formidable firepower. 

Senior Aliza Cohen (State 18:55-3rd, 5:15.03-1600) is the leader, with

great help from senior Diana Clock (19:38-10th, 11:29.38-3200),

sophomore Yfa Kretzschmar (19:47-12th, 2:29.24), senior Carol

Schweichler (20:28-22nd) and junior Carolyn Kapnick (20:55-31st). 

Convent looks to retina its runnerup status this year, also returning 

the majority of their team.  Junior Siobhan Uniacke (State 20:49-27th

D-5) and junior Megan McNabola (NCS 20:36-10th D-5) lead the Cubs’

cluster.  The rest of the division also features teams a step back, but

with virtually intact returning squads.  Lick-Wilmerding has the talents

of senior Lilian Gardiner up front (State 20:55-30th D-5, 2:28.24-800). 

Head-Royce features leader sophomore Clara Horowitz (State 19:56-15th

D-5, 2:27.24-800, 5:22.88-1600).  Branson  always has large squads, and

with a year of experience this bunch could surprise the unwary in 1999.
Overall:

1. University

2. Granada

3. Clayton Valley

4. Montgomery

5. Antioch

6. Amador Valley

7. Mission San Jose

8. Campolindo

9. Miramonte

10. Santa Rosa
on the verge:  Carondelet, Eureka
Not  Another Editorial !
The Long View, 

But Not Quite a Millennium
    And on a personal note:  if you all will indulge me but a paragraph

or two, I have to admit that when I started harassing fellow coaches in

NCS to send me weekly information, my impulses were purely selfish.  I

wanted to see how my girls’ team in 1990 stacked up against other girls’

teams, especially from outside the immediate East Bay area that I am

more familiar with. It wasn’t long before I had  found myself drawn into

a larger circle of like-minded fellow dementites who could easily chew

up one or two or three hours of phone time chatting up the greatest

sport on earth.

     This sporadic and opinionated publication quickly became a group

effort of all the coaches in the NCS.  I have found myself more a

compiler of data than a proclaimer of my own insights.  The views and

anti-views presented here are concerns that touch us and our sport as

you have shared it with me.  As the coverage offered here has grown, it

has grown only as the participation of all the coaches in the NCS has

increased in helping me gather the results and relay observations and 

ideas. 

     I want to thank you all for your help these past nine years, and I

want also to continue to beg for you assistance as we start on this the

tenth year of NCS --CC-> Rankings.  The passing of a decade has been

quick (or my memory selectively edits itself for quick review), and our

sport continues to grow and progress.  I would like to see it continue

to expand, draw in more participants,  and attract  enthusiastic

coaches.  Hopefully this newsletter with your further help can be a

small part of that growth of high school cross country.

Peter Brewer  
And the Boys’ Side of the Picture --

1999  -CC-> Preview
Division I (1533+)

1. Mission San Jose

2. Castro Valley

3. James Logan

4. Deer Valley

5. Berkeley
	Mission  San Jose seems to hold all the cards at this point.  NCS

runners-up here at NCS last year, the Warriors bring 5 of 7 back. 

Sophomore Dan Rodriguez (State 17:00-94th D-1, 10:04.6) leads a nice

pack that includes senior Micah Strom (State 17:51, 2:00.03-800,

4:21.47-1600), senior Erik Allen (State 18:16-144th, 39.09 300IH) and

junior Jeff Squires (State 18:30-150th, 1:59.22-800).  Castro Valley

comes back in 1999 with 4 of their top 5.  Sophomore Beau Bettinger (NCS

17:28-21st D-1), 4:31.7-1600, 9:53.6-3200) is joined by junior Alex

Cardiasmenos (NCS 17:27-18th, 4:41-1600), junior Kevin Dickson (NCS

17:13-15th) and sophomore Chris Wong (NCS 17:28-20th, 2:02.1-800). 

James Logan continues its rebuilding program, but has a fine lead runner

in junior Jason Castro (State 16:59-92nd D-1, 4:32.38-1600).  Deer

Valley fielded a complete team last year, and should be able to bring

along younger runners this year.  Berkeley has had trouble fielding

complete teams in the last few years, but could easily turn that around.
Division II (1217-1532)

1. Eureka

2. San Leandro

3. DeLaSalle

4. Amador Valley

5. San Ramon

just waiting to be ignored: Ukiah

waiting in the wings: Montgomery 
This just might be Eureka’s year. Bringing back 4 of 7, they still  have

enough returning talent to carry off an NCS win. Senior Lehrin Morey had

a fine 1998 cross country season (State 16:12-17th D-2). Sophomore Shaun

Lyle (16:49-67th) also ran well in track (9:33.78-3200).  Other Logger

veterans include senior Chris Binschus (17:25-100th) and junior Matt

Tout (17:54-118th, 1:59.17-800).  Another prospect is track runner

junior Moe Travis (4:36.37-1600).  This also might be San Leandro’s

year.  They have a great 1-2 tandem up front in senior Zach Ardell-Smith

(State 16:19-44th D-1, 1:58.1-800, 4:17.1-1600) and junior Efeson Yosief

(16:34-59th D-1, 9:42.2-3200).  With junior Luke Sigmon (17:10-106th

D-1) also coming back, the Pirates only need another body or two to be

in contention.  De La Salle can never be truly counted out, and they

return a solid core.  Senior Andrew Gardiner (State 16:40-50th,

9:40.0-3200) leads a pack that includes junior Mike Randazzo

(16:58-75th),Alan Bayles (17:04-80th), Mike Koro (17:14-91st) and senior

Chris Spain (4:30.76-1600).  Amador leads off with junior Josh Oswalt

(NCS 17:23-23rd D-2) 4:23.70-1600) and senior Edgar Alas (NCS 17:10-24th

D-2, 2:02.18-800) followed by a large pack of young runners.  San Ramon

graduated much of their corps, but come back with senior Chris Perry

(NCS 16:52-14th D-2, 1:57.42-800) and senior Kyle Breton (NCS 17:05-19th

D-2) and a tradition of distance running at the school. It would be

unwise to overlook Ukiah, which matriculated much of its team last year

but has been a solid program over the last few years.  Senior Tony Leon

(NCS 16:50-13th D-2) and sophomore Chase Vu (NCS 17:02-18th,

4:36.55-1600) are the Wildcat’s leading veterans.  Notorious for

late-season surges, Montgomery comes back with the junior twins, Zac

(NCS 16:39-17th D-3) and Jon (NCS 17:26-25th D-3) Fitch.
Division III (401-907)

1.Redwood

2. Granada

3. Maria Carillo

4. Ygnacio Valley

5.  Foothill
	It’s pretty easy to call the top teams here.  Redwood and Granada bring

back most of their top runners (Redwood brings back ALL of its runners)

from their very successful teams of last year, and look to be at least

that strong this year.  The Redwood Giants start off with junior Chris

Johnson (State 16:29-27th D-3, 9:44.2-3200) and followup with a close

pack that includes senior Nick Franco (16:42-41st, 4:28.73-1600), senior

Darin Nee (16:42-40th),  junior Chris Kuntz (16:46-46th), senior Andrew

Ryan (16:49-52nd) and senior Nick Schiller (17:49-98th).  Granada is but

a step behind with the returning talents of lead runner senior Justin

Rau (State 16:41-39th D-3, 4:28.75-1600, 9:57.37-3200).  He is capably

backed up by junior Robbie Boyle (16:55-59th), senior Chris Eggers

(17:05-66th, 9:30.16-3200), and sophomore Eric Scamman (17:12-75th). 

Maria Carillo starts off with talented sophomore Jordan Kinley (State

16:38-35th D-3) and follows with a large group of young runners. 

Ygnacio Valley’s senior Anthony Lopez is a top runner (State 16:08-13th

D-3) and leads an intact team back into the fray. The team picture

clouds up about here, with both Elsie Allen and Foothill appearing to be

contenders.  The nod goes to Foothill for now.  Other runners to watch

for are senior Nate Kabanuk of Casa Grande (NCS 16:25-10th), senior Info

DePina (1:57.06-800) of San Lorenzo, and Northgate’s junior Tim Nelson

(1:57.84-800).



Division IV (401-907)

1. Dublin

2. Arcata

3. Piedmont

4. Moreau Catholic

5. St. Mary’s
  	Dublin may experience the best season in school history.  After a 3rd

place finish last year, the Gaels lose only one of their top seven to

graduation and stand in good position to make it to the State Meet. 

Senior Josh Villareal (NCS 17:06-11th D-4) and sophomore Marcos Gomez

(NCS 17:17-15th D-4) lead a close seasoned pack.  Arcata has perhaps

just as much claim to the top position with 6 of their 7 coming back. 

Senior Clay Jones (State 17:53-91st D-4) and junior Adam Foote (State

17:49-87th, 1:59.52-800) lead the Tigers pack.  Piedmont could be just

as poised as Dublin and Arcata, as the defending D-4 champion

Highlanders bring back 4 of their top 7.  Junior Tom Phelps (State

17:20-63rd), junior Graeme Jaeck (17:38-81st) and junior Nathan Cox

(17:39-82nd) form the core the team.   Moreau Catholic boasts perhaps

the top returning runner in the section in senior Chris Lanese.

Improving from a good cross country season (State 16:47-48th D-3) Lanese

established top marks of 4:15.45-1600, 9:19.46-3200 in track.  It will

be hard to beat him in 1999.  He has veteran seniors John Gillis and

Adam Alcorn and a large program to back him up. St. Mary’s seems to

bring back a majority of their runners, and has senior James Ross (NCS

17:27-20th D-4) as their top returnee.
Division V (1-400)

1. University

2. St. Joseph’s-Notre Dame

3. Branson

4. Lick-Wilmerding

5. California School for the Deaf
	This division is always the hardest to call, but it appears clearly

that University has the edge for 1999.  Last year’s hot frosh Sean

Drake  (State 16:43-6th D-5, 4:25.86-1600, 9:42.5-3200) leads the Red

Devils.  Junior Ben Good (17:12-20th D-5, 10:14.6-3200) and senior Jeff

Horn (17:47-44th D-5) are other top University returnees.  St. Joe’s

brings back several runners from last year’s NCS title squad.  Junior

Marc Ramirez (State 17:29-26th D-5), senior Brandon McClintock

(18:01-52nd), junior Ian Mason (18:02-54th) and junior Andrew Williams

(18:09-58th) form a good group.  Branson brings back a good duo in

junior All-State Matt Marks (State 16:48-8th D-5 ) and senior Joe Gibson

(17:45-40th).  Lick-Wilmerding returns a very young squad with soph Todd

Rabkin-Golden (NCS 17:28-12th D-5) in front.  California School for the

Deaf has the services of senior Arturo Lopez (State 17:01-12th D-5).
Overall

1. Redwood

2. Granada

3. Eureka

4. San Leandro

5. DeLaSalle

6. Mission San Jose

7. Amador Valley

8. Castro Valley

9. Dublin

10. University

 Editorial -- Division  1  Ain’t What It Could Be
     NCS Division I teams do not send shivers of apprehension across the

breadth of California high school cross country.  As a function of being

bottom-heavy with small schools as a section, we are very light on large

schools.  Aside from DeLaSalle on the boys side the times they have

opted up to D-I, and Santa Rosa and once each Clayton Valley and

Carondelet on the girls side, we have had precious  little presence in

the top 10 at the State Meet.

     It would be easy to point out that with fewer large schools there

are fewer chances that one of them will develop that type of program. 

It would also be easy to point out that with D-I being so small, the

teams that have opted up have done so because they stood a better chance

of going to state from there than from their original division, so

weaker teams have been attracted to D-1, not stronger.  It would also be

easy to point out that some of the larger schools in D-I are not

traditional cross country powers, so even fewer schools are being asked

to carry the NCS banner.

     As we know, cross country runners thrive on the challenge of the

discomfort of running.  T-shirts proclaim the glory of running through

pain, of the pride that remains, of redefining personal self-inflicted

agony to a transcendent spiritual state.  As coaches we know that there

are many talented athletes on every campus who do not run, and so never

give themselves a chance to perhaps develop into a top-notch

competitor.  I am not always one to trumpet jingoistic chauvinisms about

NCS, but  I have observed that by-and-large, the NCS cross country scene

puts out a disproportionate amount of running talent at the State Meet,

given how many students there are in our section.  Also not being one to

unduly confront anyone, I also feel very strongly that the single area

where we have not  made the impression we are capable of is at that D-1

level.  

     I should be one to talk.  Castro Valley has been competing in D-1

in boys since 1995, we’ve been to the State Meet twice, and we have

stunk the joint up with bottom-dwelling performances both times.  Still,

the challenge is out there -- can we compete at the State level in D-1? 

Can the teams that are in D-1 ( and decide to opt up to D-1) develop

runners so our schools finish in the top 10, top 5, top 3 at State?

     It is a very hard job.  The Southern Section has nearly 170 D-1

schools. The state enrollment divisions have not been redrawn to balance

division state-wide in some time.  There is an imbalance of schools in

D-1 state-wide -- except in NCS.  So there is even MORE competition out

there.

     I think that we can do this.  I know that it takes time, and it

takes a certain drive, and as with all quality programs, that magic year

takes luck too.  I just would like to see the day when NCS teams stand

on the awards platform at the State Meet in every race being given those

top 3 team plaques.
NCS Enrollment Divisions for Cross Country:

     Here are the figures from NCS on placement in divisions by

enrollment.  Check it out and see if there are any changes that affect

your team.

      We Still Need Division I  teams.  In order for the NCS to qualify

two teams to the State Meet out of Division I, we need at least eight

(8) teams to be in D-1.  The petition deadline is Friday, September 10. 

We already have six teams, so we need two schools to bump up their

squads.  Consider yourself sacrificial lambs, or check out how your team

might be able to do better there.  Either way, we need some teams pretty

quickly to make that decision.
Division I (1533 +)

Berkeley	2382

Castro Valley 	1560

Deer Valley	 1877

James Logan	 2909

Mission San Jose	1629

PInole Valley	1589
Division II (1217-1532)

Alameda 	1230

Amador Valley 	1366

Antioch 	1468

Benicia 	1295

California	1350

Clayton Valley 	1396

College Park 	1326

DeLaSalle	1324

Eureka 	1349

Hayward	1366

Livermore	1309

Monte Vista	1488

Montgomery	1251

Mt.Eden	1525

Newark Memorial	1413

Pittsburg	1512

Rancho Cotate	1347

San Leandro	1447

San Ramon Valley 	1381

Ukiah	1356
Divison III (908-1216)

Acalanes	977

Arroyo	1177

Carondelet	1188

Casa Grande	1133

Concord	1120

De Anza	1121

El Cerrito	1067

Elsie Allen	975

Encinal	951

Foothill	1091

Granada	1161

Irvington	1130

JFK (Fremont)	1006

Las Lomas	1074

Liberty	1170

Maria Carillo	978

Northgate	1078

Petaluma	1069

Piner	1121

Redwood	948

Richmond	1127

San Lorenzo	1026

Santa Rosa	1070

Sonoma Valley	1098

Tennyson	1119

Washington	1147

Ygnacio Valley	1141
Division IV (401-907)

Albany	685

Alhambra	846

Amerian	879

Analy	   953 ???

Bishop O’dowd	805

Campolindo	718

Cardinal Newman	650

Del Norte	901

Dublin	718

El Molino	881

Fort Bragg	481

Fortuna	836

Freedom	767

Healdsburg	759

Holy Names	416

JFK (Richmond)	650		

Kelseyville	490

Lower Lake	485

Marin Catholic	551

McKinleyville	579

Miramonte	859

Moreau Catholic	902

Mt. Diablo	829

Novato	806

Piedmont	666

San Marin	742

San Rafael	631

Drake	682

St. Mary’s	462

Tamalpais	668

Terra Linda	734

Ursuline	572

Willits	475

Windsor	528
Division V (1-400)

Anderson Valley	137

Athenian 	198

Beacon	36

Bentley	10

Berean Christian	279

Branson	239

Bridgemont	49

Cal School for the Deaf	173

Calistoga	117

Chinese Christian	96

Clear Lake	339

Cloverdale	352

College Prep	246

Contra Costa Christian	101

Convent	300

Crystal Springs Upland	181

Deep Valley Christian	48

Del Amigo	256

Drew	140

Emery	206

Ferndale	113

French American	117

Geyserville	94

Hanna	20

Head-Royce	233

Hoopa Valley	236

Laytonville	136

Leggett Valley	22	

Lick-wilmerding	274

Lycee Francais	67

Marin Academy	271

Mattole Triple Junction	35

Mendocino	251

North Bay Marin	61

North Bay Orinda	57

North Hills Christian	56

Pescadero	77

Point Arena	152

Potter Valley	79

Rincon Valley Christian	116

Round Valley	87

Salesian	350

San Domenico	107

SF University	296

Santa Rosa Christian	92

South Fork	307

Southern Trinity	42

St. Bernard	165

St. Elizabeth	183

St Joseph/Notre Dame	400

St. Vincent	288

Summerfield	76

Tomales	207

Upper Lake	236

Urban	176
Invitational Calendar:  Be sure to give me a call if you have any

additions or corrections.

Wednesday, September 8     Contra Loma Classic	Contra Loma Regional

Park, Antioch   Mike  Amorosa	925-757-2328

Friday, September 10	      Monte Vista Invite		Monte Vista High

School		        Randy Knudson														   	[email protected]

Saturday, September 11	      Ed Sias Invitational		Hidden Valley Park,

Martinez	        Chuck Woolridge 925-682-7670

Saturday, September 11	      Bear River Invitational	Bear River HS,

Grass Valley	        Sharon Sanders 530-268-3700

Saturday, September 18	      Carondelet/DeLaSalle Invite 	 Newhall Park,

Concord		        Helen Lehman-Winters

												 [email protected]

Saturday, September 18	      Nevada Union Invite		Nevada Union HS, Grass

Valley	        Clyde Lehman  530-265-6772

											        Dan King  530-478-0635

Saturday, September 18	      Viking Opener		Spring Lake, Santa

Rosa	        Larry Meredith  707-526-4536

Saturday, September 25	      Cowchip Classic		Stafford Lake,

Novato		        George Bousquette 707-836-0810

											        Mark Simi 415-893-0303

Saturday, September 25	      Ram Invitational		Westmoor HS, Daly

City		        Ron DiMaggio 650-756-3434

Saturday, October 2	      Stanford Invitational		Stanford Golf

Course		        Department of Athletics

											        Stanford, CA  94305-6150

Saturday, October 2	      Artichoke Invitational		Half Moon Bay

HS		        Kevin Osterberg 650-726-9043

Saturday, October 9	      Castro Valley Invite		Canyon Middle School,

Castro Valley  Peter Brewer 925-945-8869

Saturday, October 9	      Crystal Spring Invitational	Crystal Springs

Resevoir, Belmont        Willis McCarthy 408-253-6358

Saturday, October 9	      Clovis Invitational		Woodward Park,

Fresno		        Clovis High School

Saturday, October 16	      Mariner Invitational		Garin Park,

Hayward		        Phil Wilder   [email protected]

Saturday, October 16	      Cal Poly Invitational		Cuesta College, San

Luis Obispo	        Mark Conover   805-756-2235

Saturday, October 23	      Mt. SAC Invitational		Mt San Antonio College,

Walnut	        Doug Todd  [email protected]
Send Me Your Results !

 Your Schedule !

 Your Opinions !
Without your help, this publication does not reflect our section as

accurately. As always, I need your help.  Please send me your schedules

and your results, no matter how small or remote.
Always feel free to contact me:

Peter Brewer

c/o Castro Valley High School

19400 Santa Maria Avenue

Castro Valley, CA 94546
Phone:

W: 510-537-5910 x 470

H: 925-945-8869

FAX

W: 510-582-3924

H: 925-945-1510

e-mail: [email protected]
There are no subscriptions, but donations are accepted to defray

postage.  Please send me your e-mail so I can get this to you through

cyberspace.  No, I don’t have a web page.  Yet.  
The At-Large Issue
    There is still no consensus state-wide on the idea of inviting teams

to the State Meet that did not qualify out of the various Section

Championships.  Several times over the past few years, virtually every

section has had a race where several worthy teams have battled for the

qualifying sport with one or more teams narrowly being beaten out. 

There has been much discussion as how to get these deserving teams into

the State Meet.

     Helping the issue is the fact that the State Meet is designed for

20 teams to qualify, but at no time has there every been a full 20-team

race on the line.  Not all sections have enough teams to qualify to send

their full quota of representatives.  For example, there were only 11

scoring teams in the Division V race in 1998.

     What this means is that there is room aplenty at the State Meet for

teams.  The accepted fact is that several teams each year stay at home

that are as good or better than teams that do compete.  Where the

contention lies is in devising a method that is fair, and acceptable to

most parties.

     This topic has been discussed in the decision-making making

meetings at the State level, but since there was no overall solid 

ideas  given to the sections commissioners, the topic was tabled. 

     I have the outline of a proposal -- after each section championship

race, a representative from each section (not necessarily the

commissioner, but someone the cross country world and the commissioner

trust to represent the interests of the section) meet via some type of

electronic communication with other such representatives and  they hash

out which other teams go to the State Meet.  Each division would vary as

to the exact amount of spots open.  Decisions would be made on the

teams’ performances at major invitationals over the course of the

season. amd the comparisons made possible between by using those team

performances.  Stanford, Clovis and Mt. SAC come to mind as

invitationals that would serve as a basis for comparison.

     Yes, there would be some disagreement about the selections made,

but at least we would be selecting teams that otherwise would not have

gone.

    Let me know what you think, and I’ll do my best to communicate the

gist of all our opinions in a unified manner to our commissioner, so he

can go into the next State Meeting well informed.

 

 

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