Albert Caruana
- None, Cross Country Express
- None, Cross Country Express
- None, Cross Country Express
- None, Cross Country Express
My blog has covered Cross Country & Track & Field 🏃 in CA 💪 since '06. crosscountryexpress.com
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Articles by Albert Caruana
North Coast Section Updated Rankings (October 19)
Here are the updated rankings for the North Coast Section. For teams, the number of teams that qualify to the state meet are listed. For the individuals, the top 5 individuals not on the qualifying teams will advance to the state meet, provided they are in the top 12 if 2 teams advance, top 14 if 3 teams advance, top 16 if 4 teams advance, top 18 if 5 teams advance, and top 20 if 6 teams advance. BOYS Division I (Top 2 teams advance to state meet) 1. American 2. Berkeley 3. California 4. Liberty 5.
California's Freshman Class Is Growing Up Fast
Published by DyeStat.com Bumper Crop Of Talented Freshmen Emerging In Golden State By Albert Caruana for DyeStat Ken Martinez Photos When it comes to high school freshmen distance runners, it’s not unusual to see girls making an immediate impact on their cross country varsity teams. A strong freshman class of girls can change the direction of a program and could lead to years of success. It's a bit more rare for ninth grade boys to make immediate impact.
2026 Pre-Season NCS rankings
Here is my first attempt at ranking the top cross country teams in the North Coast Section for the upcoming 2026 season. You can find where all teams will be competing at this LINK. If you have information like talented freshmen joining teams, please feel free to comment below. If I missed any teams or you feel like some teams are under-ranked, please share your thoughts as well in the comment section.
After Mt. SAC, California Championship Season On The Horizon
After Mt. SAC, California Championship Season On The HorizonToday, 5:10pm USATF Updates World XC Champs U20 Team Selection ProceduresYesterday, 6:22pm Wyoming State Meet XC Recap 2025Yesterday, 3:28am State Meet Index - 2025 Cross CountryOct 26th, 9:09pm Nebraska State Meet XC Recap 2025Oct 26th, 8:53pm Published by DyeStat.com With A Month Ago Before CIF Finals, Top Teams And Individuals Must Endure League And Section Meets En Route To Woodward Park By Albert Caruana for DyeStat Ken Martinez...
After Clovis, California Picture Coming Into Focus
Pre-Nationals Invitational Moved To Friday; Jane Hedengren Debut PossibleToday, 10:01pm After Clovis, California Picture Coming Into FocusToday, 6:31am For The Record No. 32 - Karlene Herrell Erickson (1981)Yesterday, 10:36pm Preview: 10 Storylines To Follow At 2025 Nuttycombe Wisconsin InvitationalYesterday, 8:50pm Published by DyeStat.com A Mid-Season Dive Into California Cross Country: Jesuit Boys Turn Tables On Herriman UT And Woodbridge Steps Up As NXN Contender; JSerra Girls Defeat...
Drivers of Pro-Ecological Behaviour Norms among Environmentalists, Hunters and the General Public
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10 CCS athletes to watch this upcoming Track and Field season
In alphabetical order. Ashlyn Boothby Scotts Valley (Distance) The Stanford-bound Boothby had quite a season in 2023 as she recorded bests of 2:09.03 and 10:26.12 but her true shining moment took place at the state meet as she finished in 2nd place in the 1600 with a new CCS record of 4:39.45 trailing only one of the all-time best runners in the state, Sadie Engelhardt.
2023 California State Podium Teams (Updated boys)
You can now view all the entrants plus their performance mark from the section qualifier for this weekend's CA State Track and Field ... One more bump. Please list below athletes that you feel belong on the lists below. One more trivia question. Who is the runner ... Below is the schedule for the 2013 Cross Country season. If you see any errors, additions or can confirm any dates, please email me at alb... Bold meets are confirmed for 2014 season. Non bolded dates are from 2013 season.
NCS mid-season Rankings (Boys and Girls Teams)
I am in the process of reaching out to coaches who have helped me rank NCS teams in the past. I will update the list below throughout the rest of this week. If you see any glaring errors, please feel free to comment below. We should also have more clarity this weekend after the Mariner Invitational. NCS Division I Boys 1. Dougherty Valley 2. California 3. Dublin 4. Berkeley 5. San Leandro NCS Division I Girls 1. Dougherty Valley 2. California 3. Berkeley 4. Dublin 5. James Logan NCS Division II Boys 1.
NorCal Cross Country and Track and Field College Commitments
You can now view all the entrants plus their performance mark from the section qualifier for this weekend's CA State Track and Field ... One more bump. Please list below athletes that you feel belong on the lists below. One more trivia question. Who is the runner ... Below is the schedule for the 2013 Cross Country season. If you see any errors, additions or can confirm any dates, please email me at alb... Bold meets are confirmed for 2014 season. Non bolded dates are from 2013 season.
38th Annual Ed Sias Invitational Preview (By Campolindo coach Andy Lindquist)
For over 3 decades, the annual Ed Sias Invitational has kicked off the prep cross country season in the Bay Area, and this year promises to be another exciting edition featuring plenty of competitive races. As usual, the rugged 2-mile course at Hidden Valley Park will test competitors throughout, with “Finale Hill” greeting racers towards the end of the course.
2023 Pre-Season Central Coast Section (CCS) Division IV Boys and Girls Cross Country Rankings
Below are the pre-season rankings for CCS Division IV. ScottsValley appears to be the best-combined team in this division as they will attempt to win the boys and girls section titles for the 3rd year in a row. The boy's race seems to be wide open after Scotts Valley. The same may be the case for the girls. The division breakdowns for all CCS teams can be found at this LINK. The number of teams that qualify for the state meet in each section and division can be found at this LINK.
Crystal Springs course cleanup this Saturday
Crystal Springs course cleanup this Saturday Hello all, I recently looked over the entire course and the SMCCCD maintenance crew has done a great job of getting the course almost race ready, along with the fire break established by Cal Fire. Because of the condition of the course, I would love to have a clean-up day for this coming Saturday - Saturday, August 12, from 8:00-1:00. We will definitely need volunteers to bring up tools, but I'll have some to share too.
California Boys Cross Country 2023 Super Seven
Jul 11, 2023 Putting the top seven returning CA boys high school XC runners on the line heading into '23 fall season including (from left) Emmanuel Perez, Anthony Fast Horse, and Evan Noonan. * * * If we were to take California's top returning high school boys cross country runners to compete for state bragging rights against the best from other states, what super seven would be on the line to represent the Golden State?
Catching up with former Great Oak and current Herriman coach, Doug Soles
Today we chat with former Great Oak and current Herriman coach, Doug Soles. Over more than a decade, Coach Soles has been one of the most successful cross country and track and field coaches in the nation as you will see below. During covid, Coach Soles completed his first book which is a blueprint for coaching a super successful team. I read the book and would highly recommend it to any coaches out there looking for a great book to read this summer.
CA Junior Boys All-State Track and Field Team
MileSplitCA Junior BoysTrack and Field Athlete of the Year Xai emerged as a versatile elite long sprinter during the unofficial winter season and carried that all the way through his final 46.94 anchor leg to carry Poly to the 4x400m title at State, a 3:12.99 time that ranks U.S. No. 9. Ricks did that only short minutes after running on the Jackrabbits' 4x800m relay team that placed fourth in 7:40.57. Individually, he placed second in the 400m at 46.06.
Pre-Season NCS DIII Girls' Rankings by Campolindo assistant coach, Andy Lindquist
We will begin our pre-season cross country rankings with the NCS Division III girls. Thanks to Campolindo assistant coach, Andy Lindquist, we all get an early look at this division. Feel free to comment below on any athletes and teams that deserve to be mentioned as well. NCS DIII Girls’ Preseason Individual Rankings Overview: Barring an injury or illness, Hanne Thomsen is your overwhelming favorite to win her 3rd straight NCS title as well as win her 3rd straight state title.
North Coast Section Track and Field Season in Review
De La Salle senior Chukwunonso Udeh was a triple winner at the NCS Meet of Champions and followed that up with a long jump title at the CIF-State Meet and earn fifth-place medals in both the 110m hurdles and the high jump. This past spring, the North Coast Section had several outstanding efforts with multiple athletes and teams breaking into the top 10 of all-time marks in several events.
2023 Cross Country Schedule (Preliminary)
2023 Cross Country Schedule (Preliminary) August 24 2023 Mustang Cross Country Invitational at Monte Vista Christian School September 1 Serra Jamboree at Hallmark Park September 2 Lagoon Valley Classic at Lagoon Valley Park September 9 Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park September 9 Ed Sias Invitational at Hidden Valley Park September 9 Jackie Henderson Memorial Cross Country Invitational at North Monterey HS September 9 Kim Duyst Invitational at River Oaks Golf Course September 9 Josh...
Catching up with Los Gatos sophomore, Aydon Stefanopoulos
Today we catch up with Los Gatos HS sophomore, Aydon Stefanopoulos. This past season, Stefanopoulos emerged as one of the top sophomores in the country as he recorded times of 4:10.55 and 8:57.99 for the 1600 and 3200 respectively (both times set at the CA state meet). His 1600 time ranks him #7 in the nation for all sophomores while his 3200 time has him as the #5 sophomore in the US.
PREVIEW Deep fields will make for uber competitive CCS Final
May 18, 2023 The Central Coast Section (CCS) final will take place this Saturday atGilroy HS with the field events starting at 3 pm followed by the start of the running events at 4:45pm. In the next few pages, I will shine a lightonthe favorites, the leading contenders, and the possible underdogs that could surprise the field. This section is one of 6 of the state's 10 sections allotted three automatic qualifying spots for the State Meet. That's three spots per event per gender.
MEETS ON TAP: CCS Top 8 Meet at Los Gatos HS
Scotts Valley junior Ashlyn Boothby (left) was third here last year in the 1600m behind Castilleja's Samira Kennedy and Palo Alto's Hillary Studdart with Kaiya Brooks of Crystal Springs Uplands next. Boothby is the favorite in the 1600m this year and is scheduled to battle Studdart in the 800-meter race. * * * The 42nd CCS Top 8 Meet will take place on Friday at Los Gatos HS.
MEETS ON TAP Stanford Track & Field Invitational Preview
SATURDAY RUNNING EVENTS 1600 (Girls & Boys) Girls Meet Record: 4:47.61, McKenna Brown, La Costa Canyon (SD), 2018 Boys Meet Record: 4:08.67, Kyle Ortega-Gammil, Reno (NV), 2022 When you look at all the entries in all the events for this meet, the girls' 1600 could give us quite a matchup. Last season, freshman Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery won two state championships, one each in cross country and track and field (3200).
MEETS ON TAP Stanford Track & Field Invitational Preview
* * * The2023 Stanford Track and Field Invitationalwill take place this Friday and Saturday atCobb Track and Angell Field. The premier Northern California Track and Field Invitational will pit many of the top athletes from this part of the state against some of the best athletes from the south as well out of state. On the next three pages, you will find a rundown of all the events in the order they will take place this weekend along with all the meet records and pre-meet favorites.
NorCal Top 5 Distance Times for 800, 1600, 3200 and 4 x 800 relays
Boys 800m 1) Parker Long Piedmont 1:53.25 2) Justin Pretre Menlo 1:53.68 3) Mateo Malko-Allen St. Mary's Berkeley 1:54.40 4) Carson Hedlund Pioneer 1:55.36 5) Ryan Martin River City 1:55.60 Girls 800m 1) Cate Peters Monte Vista 2:11.04 2) Sabrina Zanetto St. Francis MV 2:14.72 3) Anna Fawcett St. Francis MV 2:15.11 4) Jessica Chisar College Park 2:16.87 5) Emma Gardner Tamalpais 2:18.01 Boys 1600m 1) Grant Morgenfeld Palo Alto 4:14.12 (mile) converts to 4:12.65 2) Mateo Malko-Allen St. Mary's...
PREVIEW Sombreros On the Line at Dublin Distance Fiesta
The Dublin Distance Fiesta (DDF) is back, bigger than ever. In total, over two days, diehard fans will witness a record setting number of distance heats. This season, the DDF will once again be held on the third Friday/Saturday of March and this will be the largest one date. For comparison check out this year's numbers compared with last year.
PREVIEW Central Coast Section - Girls TF Athletes To Watch
LAUREN SOOBRIAN Los Altos, Sr. 1600/3200 This past fall, the Los Altos cross country had quite a season winning the SCVAL, CCS and CIF-State crowns. Along with those titles, the Eagles also qualified for the Team Nationals meet in Portland. Leading that talented group was senior Lauren Soobrian. Last spring, Soobrian ran one of the fastest 1600 times in the state with a time of 4:51.13. She was even more impressive in her specialty the 3200 as she won the CCS title with a time of 10:17.17.
NEWS Officially, CA has added the 4x800 to the State Meet
* * * UPDATED: This article was edited with additional detail and comments. (1/18, 3:15 p.m.) * * * The California State Track and Field Championships is more than 100 years old and through all those years, the only relays that were contested at the State Meet were sprint relays like those we're all very familiar with: 4x100 and 4x400.
CA State Meet All-Time Podium Teams through '22 (B & G)
Dec 06, 2022 Following the 2022 California state cross country meet, we updated our lists of all-time podium teams (top 3) since the first one in 1987. In the next two pages, check out what teams have the most trophies/plaques at their school and who made the podium for the first time this season. The bolded entries are updated for this season.
STATE MEET PREVIEW What to Watch for in Division V
CIF-State Championships at Woodward Park, Fresno (5,000 meters) * * * Important Spectator Information Tickets are available online onlythrough CIF's ticketing partner, GoFan (gofan.co) Every spectator must have a ticket to enter the park (No charge for children 4 and under) RACE SCHEDULE AWARDS SCHEDULE D-IV Girls 8:30 AM D-V Girls 10:00 AM D-V Girls 9:00 AM D-IV Boys 10:20 AM D-IV Boys 9:30 AM D-V Girls 10:40 AM D-V Boys 10:00 AM D-V Boys 11:00 AM D-I Girls 10:30 AM D-I Girls 11:20 AM D-II...
FEATURE For Campolindo, the Real Season Starts in November
Nov 16, 2022 * * * North Coast Section - Finals at Hayward High School (3 miles) Important Spectator Admissions Note: Tickets must be purchased online in advance through GoFan Ticketing. No cash sales will take place at the event.
PREVIEW CIF-Central Coast Section Cross Country Championship
The start of the SCVAL (DAL) varsity boys race last Tuesday as the runners headed downhill. (Malcolm Slaney photo) * * * This year's Central Coast Section championship will once again be held at the world-famous Crystal Springs course. I always like to share a bit of history about the section final since its inception in 1965 and it has been hosted for many years by the unique Crystal Springs course. The firstCentral Coast Section(CCS) meet was held in 1965 atVasona Park in Los Gatos.
'22 CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW Central Coast Section
The Central Coast Section will have a very different look this coming season with many teams moving divisions from years past following the proposal that was made by the Peninsula Athletic League and passed by the CCS Board of Managers. Although Division I will still field some of the top teams in the section for both boys and girls, the depth and level of competition in the rest of the divisions will be much improved as you will see below.
AOTY BOYS DISTANCE Historic Season for Colin Sahlman
MILESPLIT ALL-CA ATHLETES OF THE YEAR * * * One in a series of articles profiling 2022 track and field athletes of the year by event grouping as selected by MileSplitCA editors. * * * In 1996, Bell Gardens senior Michael Granville ran the 800 meters at the State Meet Trials to establish a new high school record that stands to this day. In 2001, Big Bear senior Ryan Hall completed this 1500 meters race in 3:42.70 to establish a new California record for the distance.
TRACK AND FIELD Central Coast Section Year in Review
Valley Christian senior Jacob Kiesman was the best combination thrower in the section. He was the best shot putter winning the section title as well as having the best throw of the season at 57-5. He also finished in third place in the discus with a season-best of 141-3. * * * GIRLS * * * Sprints Juliette Kosmont - Santa Catalina, Sr. We ended up with two girls here as both competitors swept their events at the section final.
California Track & Field and Cross Country Running News
Month Year Skyline wins boys and girls team titles at two-day section finals at Merritt College in Oakland.
PREVIEW Central Coast Section Final Meet
In the girls 1600, Lauren Soobrian of Los Altos won her heat by a sizable margin with a 4:51.13, placing her 2nd in CCS rankings and also breaking the Los Altos school record of 4:51.24 by Vikki Bray (Los Altos '77). She has since scratched from this event to focus on the 3200. Kylie Hoornaert of Prospect, also a finalist in the 800 and school record holder in the 1600 with a 4:57.60 at Top 8, won her heat of the 1600 with a 5:01.53.
2022 Stanford Track & Field Invitational meet preview
Mar 31, 2022 The2022 Stanford Track and Field Invitationalwill take place this Friday and Saturday atCobb Track and Angell Field. The premier Northern California Track and Field Invitational will pit many of the top athletes from this part of the state against some of the best athletes from the south as well out of state. On the next three pages, you will find a rundown of all the events in the order they will take place this weekend along with all the meet records and pre-meet favorites.
MEETS ON TAP Dublin Distance Fiesta Preview
Mar 17, 2022 * * * WATCH LIVE DUBLIN -- In 2021, a COVID shortened track and field season included not one, not two but THREE Dublin Distance Fiestas. Just like you can eat too much candy, you can probably have too many Dublin Distance Fiestas although many coaches and athletes were super thankful for Dublin Coach Chris Williams for hosting three high-quality meets despite multiple covid restrictions.
A tribute to Coach Peter Brewer
Peter Brewer was a longtime teacher coach at Castro Valley HS and recently coached at Northgate and Alhambra High Schools. He sadly passed away on Saturday, February 19th. Along with his teaching and coaching duties, Coach Brewer was a fixture in the coaching community in the North Coast Section as well as being an outspoken member of the state advisory board. He posted section rankings that included words that most of just dreamed of using. He hosted coaching clinics.
Catching up with Mira Costa coach, Renee Williams-Smith
Today, we had the fortune of speaking with one of the best distance coaches in California, Mira Costa's Renee Williams-Smith (Jada Hong photo). Two weeks ago, Williams-Smith was one of the featured speakers at the Boulder Running Camp. Her girls' cross country team was also the Division II state champion this past season after several near misses in past seasons. In 2014, Brooks Running Company named Williams-Smith as the Inspiring Coach of the Year.
XC REVIEW MileSplitCA Boys Team Of The Year - Newbury Park
2021 MileSplitCA All-State Cross Country Boys Team Of The Year NEWBURY PARK PANTHERS Newbury Park's top 7 boys, from left, Colin Sahlman, Leo Young, Lex Young, Aaron Sahlman, Daniel Appleford, Hector Martinez, and Dev Doshi. (Photos by DeAnna Turner) * * * Over the years, there have been different means to determine the best cross country teams in the nation.
Catching up with Albany HS junior, Sean Morello
Today we chat with Albany junior, Sean Morello. Last Saturday at the California State Meet, Morello finished in 3rd place in the Division IV race in a time of 15:09.9. That time placed him as the 12th fastest runner overall as well as the 4th fastest runner from Northern California. Morello also led his Albany teammates to the state team title, their first in school history.
CA State Meet All-Time Podium Teams through '21 (B & G)
Dec 02, 2021 Following Saturday's California state cross country meet, we updated our lists of all-time podium teams (top 3) since the first one in 1987. In the next two pages, check out what teams have the most trophies/plaques at their school and who made the podium for the first time this season. The bolded entries are updated for this season.
STATE MEET PREVIEW Division V
Nov 25, 2021 CIF-STATE MEET - DIVISION V PREVIEW Francis Parker senior Kenan Pala is undefeated this season including a course-record run at the San Diego Section Championships as well as a near-record at the Mt. SAC Invitational. (Phil Grooms photo) * * * OTHER PREVIEWS -DIVISION I | DIVISION II|DIVISION III|DIVISION IV 2019 FLASHBACK Viewpoint (SS) boys won its first State team XC championship, finishing ahead of St. Margaret's (SS) and Francis Parker (SD).
PREVIEW North Coast Section Cross Country MOC
Montgomery freshman Hanne Thomsen was seventh in the sweepstakes race at Clovis and could be the runner to beat in Division III at the CIF-NCS Championships on Saturday.
NCS Cross Country Team Divisional Rankings
Oct 19, 2021 Here is our first attempt at the North Coast Section rankings now that we have had a few invitationals and league meets in the books. Please feel free to post your thoughts and reach out to us on Twitter at @MileSplitCA.
XC Rankings: 10 NorCal Boys to Watch
Northern California boys' teams (DeAnna Turner photo above) made quite a statement at the 2019 California Cross Country state meet. They had three teams (Jesuit, Bellarmine, and Dublin) finish behind Great Oak in the Division I race. Campolindo and Maria Carrillo finished 1st and 2nd in the Division III race. Foothill Tech from SS won the Division IV team title but was followed by four NorCal teams (Scotts Valley, Sir Francis Drake, Calaveras, and King City).
XC Rankings: 10 NorCal Girls to Watch
Now that the stay at home order has been lifted in California, the prospects of a Cross Country season are very real. We have already had a couple of meets and I believe we will see many more in February and March. Based on the success of many individual girls as well as some outstanding teams last season, Northern California is loaded with talented girls, and here are my picks for the 10 girls you should keep your eye on for this coming season.
XC Preview: Projected Top CCS Boys Teams for 2021
Central Coast Section teams have won their fair share of state cross country team titles in every division except Division I. That goes for both boys and girls. In fact, there has been only ONE Northern California team that has won a Division I team title (boys and girls) in the history of the State Meet since the first one was held in 1987. Without looking, can you name that one team and what year? Answer below.
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