By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The 35th CIF Cross Country State Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

WOODWARD PARK ALL-TIME TEAM PERFORMANCES

Here are 10 storylines to follow at one of the strongest state finals in the country:

Young brothers look to add to legacy and then some

There are three sets of siblings who have opportunities to become the first brothers in state history to take the top two spots in any division in a cross country championship race, but the one scenario that is garnering the most attention is Newbury Park senior twins Leo Young and Lex Young and their pursuit of the all-time 5-kilometer Woodward Park high school record.

The 2007 mark of 14 minutes, 24 seconds achieved by German Fernandez of Riverbank in the Division 4 state final has been under siege by several Newbury Park athletes in recent years, including 2018-19 Division 2 state champion Nico Young and 2021 Division 1 winner Colin Sahlman.

But Leo Young and Lex Young both have the potential to eclipse the standard established by Fernandez, demonstrating they are primed for the challenge with their performances Oct. 8 at the 43rd ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park.

Leo Young prevailed in 14:25.9 and Lex Young clocked 14:31.7, giving Newbury Park the next four competitors on the all-time Woodward Park list behind Fernandez, along with Sahlman and Nico Young.

With significant support from Aaron Sahlman, Brayden Seymour, Dev Doshi and Aaron Cantu, Newbury Park is also looking at lowering its own team record at Woodward Park after sweeping the top four spots and running 73:22.7 at the Division 1 state championship last year.

Newbury Park is also looking to become the first program in state history to not only win four consecutive team titles, but produce an individual champion all four years as well.

In addition to Leo Young and Lex Young, Menlo brothers Justin Pretre and Landon Pretre are also aiming to take the top two spots in Division 5, in addition to Yosemite sophomore twins Jack Olney and Ben Olney in the same championship race.

Granada, Ventura, Larkspur Redwood and Rocklin Whitney are all in contention for podium spots and potential Nike Cross Nationals at-large berths.

Daegan Cutter of Larkspur Redwood will try to break up the Newbury Park pack, along with Anthony Fasthorse and Micah Grossman of Ventura, as well as Grant Morgenfeld of Palo Alto and Ethan Miller of Monte Vista.

Central Section company at the top

Buchanan is looking to become the fourth Division 1 girls program in state history to win at least three consecutive titles, following the memorable seven-year reign of Great Oak from 2012-18, in addition to joining Palos Verdes from 1987-89 and Agoura from 1990-92.

But the Bears could have some familiar company in the top three in Tri-River Athletic Conference rival Clovis North, which is seeking its first podium appearance in program history.

Buchanan and Clovis North could become the first two Central Section programs, regardless of division or gender, to take the top two spots in any state championship race in California prep history.

Buchanan is pursuing a fourth overall state championship, along with winning Division 2 in 1994.

The Bears have the potential to challenge the all-time Woodward Park team record of 89:10.8 achieved by Great Oak in 2015, but Buchanan has had to overcome several health issues this season, despite winning a 23rd consecutive TRAC title Nov. 10 and sixth straight Central Section Division 1 crown Nov. 17, with Clovis North placing second both times.

Buchanan is among the favorites to secure an automatic berth to race Dec. 3 at Nike Cross Nationals, but will need a complete performance from the lineup of Grace Hutchison, Sydney Sundgren, Avery Hutchison, Elle Lomeli, Sierra Cornett, Kynzlee Buckley and Tayler Torosian in order to extend its state championship streak.

Clovis North finished fourth in 2014 in the Division 1 final, but will need impressive efforts from Ashlyn Leath, Kaitelyn Emmons and Miya Maltos in order to put itself in podium contention.

Great Oak has 10 all-time podium finishes, but finished fifth in Division 1 last year and is looking to return to the podium after having its eight-year streak snapped last season.

Kelli Gaffney led the Wolfpack to an 11th Southern Section championship Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College.

Rancho Cucamonga, the winner of the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes Oct. 22 at the Mt. SAC Invitational, is looking to bounce back after taking third behind Great Oak and Corona Santiago at the Southern Section final.

Oak Ridge, the Sac-Joaquin Section champion, and San Diego Section winner Del Norte are in podium contention as well.

Hannah Riggins helped Del Norte secure the San Diego Section championship Nov. 12 at Balboa Park.

Three is the magic number

San Luis Obispo is attempting to become the first program, regardless of gender, to capture state titles in each of the top three divisions.

San Clemente is looking to break into the top three and secure a podium finish for the first time in the Division 1 boys final.

And senior Christopher Caudillo is looking to make it a trifecta of boys state champions for Clovis High.

Although Newbury Park is the first boys team to win the Division 2 and Division 1 titles in consecutive seasons, the Panthers achieved the feat in 2019 and 2021, as a result of the 2020 fall schedule being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

San Luis Obispo captured the Division 2 state title last year with a 105-112 victory against Granada and following a Central Section Division 1 championship Nov. 17 at Woodward Park, the Tigers are now looking to add to their trophy case with their first state crown in the top division.

San Luis Obispo, led by Milo Skapinsky and Quinn White, also won the Division 3 championship in 2003.

San Clemente finished fourth last season in Division 1 and is not only looking to elevate into the top three for the first time, but also secure the state championship and earn an automatic berth to compete Dec. 3 at Nike Cross Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon.

The Tritons are hoping Juan Chantaca, Rory Catsimanes, Brett Ephraim, Grant Sestak, Pierce Clark, Taj Clark and Dallin Harrington can continue the momentum following their Southern Section Division 1 championship Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College.

Great Oak, Crescenta Valley, Madera South, Clovis and Torrey Pines are also capable of contending for podium finishes.

Caudillo, who won the Tri-River Athletic Conference and Central Section titles earlier in November on the Woodward Park course, is looking to join Division 1 winner JJ Duke in 2000 and Division 2 champion Mikel Thomas in 2006 in becoming the third Clovis male athlete to capture a state crown.

Caudillo also has the potential to challenge the Central Section record of 14:48.8 achieved in 2015 by Eduardo “Lalo” Herrera of Madera South.

Matthew Donis of Palmdale Highland, who ran 14:35.0 to win the Southern Section Division 1 title at Mt. SAC, has also emerged as a strong contender for the championship. Caudillo was sixth last year and Donis placed 21st at the state final.

Nathan Short of Folsom, Ryan Mitchell of Davis Senior, Ryan Thomas from Torrey Pines, Carter Spradling of Clovis East and Parker Simmons from Crescenta Valley are also in title contention.

North Coast Section knows about history

Not only does the North Coast Section boast the reigning Division 3 girls individual and team champions with Santa Rosa Montgomery sophomore Hanne Thomsen and Campolindo, but both groups are primed to make even more history.

Campolindo, already with more Division 3 championships than any girls program in state history following its sixth crown last year, is looking to become the first female lineup to win three in a row in the division.

The Cougars, led by Ellie Buckley and Shea Volkmer, are attempting to become only the fifth girls team to win at least seven state titles, joining Corona del Mar, Great Oak, Saugus and San Francisco University.

Campolindo also has the potential to improve on its own all-time Division 3 record of 91:32 from the 2010 state championship, in addition to achieving a 16th podium finish, which ranks second in state history among girls programs.

Dana Hills, the Southern Section champion, and San Diego Section winner Cathedral Catholic are the biggest threats to knocking off Campolindo, which produced the second-fastest performance by any girls team at Hayward High with its 90:02 performance on the 3-mile layout Nov. 19 at the section final.

Thomsen, who won the championship at Hayward in 16:30.6, is not only looking to win state titles as a freshman and a sophomore like former Del Oro standout Riley Chamberlain did in 2018-19, but she is also looking to challenge the Woodward Park sophomore class record.

Thomsen won the 43rd ASICS Clovis Invitational championship race Oct. 8 in 17:04.2 at Woodward Park and has the potential to eclipse the 10th-grade mark of 16:45.0 shared by former Santa Rosa star Julia Stamps and Malibu graduate Claudia Lane.

Stamps achieved the feat at the 1994 Foot Locker West Regionals, with Lane matching the mark by capturing the 2016 Division 4 state title.

Gioana Lopizzo of La Costa Canyon, Allura Markow of Dana Hills, Kylie Hoornaert of Prospect, Melisse Djomby Enyawe of Corona del Mar, Amelia Stacey of El Cerrito and Anna Soares of Placer are also expected to be among the leaders.

Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura could also challenge the sophomore class record, but she races an hour after Thomsen in the Division 2 state final.

Albany wants it all this time

It was a memorable state championship meet last year for Albany, which captured a team title and an individual crown in Division 4, just not in the same race.

Albany won its first boys team championship with a 130-152 victory against Archie Williams.

Sophia Nordenholz captured the first girls individual title for the Cougars by clocking 16:46.0.

Now, Sean Morello wants to lead Albany to a sweep of both individual and team victories, which would make him the third male athlete in Division 4 history to achieve both championships in the same year.

Galvan Gonzalez of McFarland accomplished the impressive double in 1993 and 1994, with Chad Hall doing the same for Big Bear in 2006.

Morello, who took third last year in 15:09.9, is the top returning competitor in the field.

Emmanuel Perez of Cathedral, who placed 10th last season in 15:36.6, will factor into both the individual and team competitions as well after winning the Southern Section title Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College. Emmanuel Hernandez will be crucial in helping Cathedral rebound from a fifth-place finish at the Southern Section final.

Hayden Owen leads St. Francis, which is not only trying to prevent an Albany repeat, but secure the first state crown in program history.

Albany is looking to become the first back-to-back Division 4 boys champion since Big Bear won three in a row from 2006-08.

Palos Verdes and Bishop O’Dowd are also in the podium hunt, along with Central Section winner Matilda Torres.

Broen Holman from Sonora is also expected to be a leading contender to challenge Morello after earning eighth last year in 15:34.2.

Holman is not only seeking the first state championship for Sonora since Jason Hart won Division 3 in 1996, but he is also looking to become the first sophomore to eclipse the 15-minute barrier.

Elias Gedyon from Loyola established the sophomore class record at Woodward Park by clocking 15:01 to win the 2008 Division 2 state final.

Eli Fitchen-Young of Santa Cruz, the Central Coast Section champion, is another sophomore in the Division 4 race looking to challenge for the title, along with Zion Ortiz from Burroughs Ridgecrest, as well as Matilda Torres freshman Benjamin Fernandez.

San Francisco University seeks dynastic dozen

Every time San Francisco University has won a Division 5 girls championship, at least one has followed, so when the Red Devils edged Lick-Wilmerding by a 100-103 margin last year to capture their state record 11th crown, the expectation was for another title again this season.

San Francisco University, led by Lucinda Laughlin and Mia Giles, prevailed by a 59-83 margin Nov. 19 against Convent and Stuart Hall at the North Coast Section championship meet at Hayward High, giving the Red Devils the momentum to secure back-to-back crowns once again and a 12th overall title.

San Francisco University has also won championships in four different decades, with the first three coming in 1996-98, followed by 2001-03 and 2009-12.

The Red Devils are also looking to add to their all-time state record with an 18th girls podium finish.

Viewpoint, Crystal Springs Uplands, Castilleja and Immanuel are also in podium contention, along with the North Coast Section trio.

Kaiya Brooks is looking to become the first state champion from Crystal Springs Uplands following her victory Nov. 12 in 17:44.7 at the Central Coast Section final at the Crystal Springs course in Belmont.

Adeline Johnson of Branson returned from a fractured hip following a wakeboarding injury earlier in the season to win the North Coast Section crown Nov. 19 in 17:58.7, holding off Siena Faidi of Convent and Stuart Hall in 17:58.7.

Chloe Elbaz, a freshman at Xavier Prep, won the Southern Section title Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College by clocking 17:57.4, ahead of last year’s winner JiaLian Mackey of Viewpoint in 18:12.3.

Ayana Hickey of The Bishop’s School and Clara Riddle of Immanuel are also freshmen that captured section championships ahead of their Division 5 state debuts.

Noonan ready for next challenge, and there are plenty

The last trip to Woodward Park can be viewed as a turning point in the season for Dana Hills sophomore Evan Noonan, following a 33rd-place performance in the boys championship race Oct. 8 at the 43rd ASICS Clovis Invitational.

Since then, Noonan has been as consistent and impressive as any male competitor in the state, placing second Oct. 15 at the Orange County Championships in 14:26.8, winning the Division 3-4-5 team sweepstakes race Oct. 21 at Mt. San Antonio College in 14:49.0, capturing the South Coast League crown Nov. 1 in 14:21.4 and securing the Southern Section Division 3 title Nov. 19 in 15:03.7 to also lead the Dolphins to the team triumph as well.

Noonan is attempting to follow former Dana Hills standout Jai Dawson, who won the DIvision 2 state crown last year.

Noonan would become the first Division 3 state winner in Dana Hills history, with Tyler Valdes earning the Division 1 championship in 2008. He is also capable of eclipsing the Woodward Park sophomore class record of 15:01.0 by former Loyola star Elias Gedyon.

But there will be plenty of challengers for Noonan, including two-time Central Section winner Joshua Bell of Templeton, North Coast Section champion Alexander Lodewick of Campolindo, Sac-Joaquin Section title holder Josh Chu of Ponderosa, San Diego Section champ Jacob Niednagel of La Costa Canyon, as well as Alexandro Vielma of La Habra Sonora and Billie Issa of West Ranch.

Campolindo is pursuing another sweep of boys and girls state titles, which the Cougars achieved in 2019.

Lodewick, Connor McGhee and Blake Webster swept the top three spots for Campolindo at the North Coast Section final Nov. 19 at Hayward High, as the Cougars produced a 28-89 victory against Maria Carrillo.

Campolindo was second last year at the state final behind West Torrance by a 57-70 margin.

Oakdale, the Sac-Joaquin Section winner, was fourth last season and is seeking its first podium appearance in program history.

Dana Hills is seeking a podium presence in a third division after accumulating a combined 16 top-three finishes in Division 1 and Division 2. The Dolphins would break a tie with Flintridge Prep if they can secure a record 17th boys podium effort in program history.

Fantastic firsts could flourish

Sadie Engelhardt had to be a spectator during the girls championship race Oct. 8 at the 43rd ASICS Clovis Invitational, sidelined as a result of an illness that kept the Ventura High sophomore out of action for more than a month.

Engelhardt watched as Los Altos secured a 93-122 victory against JSerra at Woodward Park.

Engelhardt and Los Altos might be connected for a different reason in the Division 2 girls final, as both could become the first state champions for their respective programs.

Engelhardt finished runner-up last year behind Mira Costa standout Dalia Frias by a 16:52.0 to 16:58.7, becoming only the second freshman in state history to eclipse the 17-minute barrier on the 5-kilometer layout, joining Sarah Baxter of Simi Valley in 2010.

Los Altos was sixth last season in Division 1, but moved to Division 2 this year and captured the first Central Coast Section championship in program history Nov. 12 with a 46-52 victory against Palo Alto at the Crystal Springs course in Belmont.

Lauren Soobrian prevailed for Los Altos in 17:29.0, securing her second career individual crown, along with the Division 1 section championship in 2019.

Engelhardt won the Southern Section crown Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College by clocking 17:12.8, a conservative effort following her 16:38.8 performance Nov. 12 in the section prelims at Mt. SAC.

She has an opportunity to challenge the Woodward Park sophomore class record of 16:45.0, although that mark could be erased by Santa Rosa Montgomery star Hanne Thomsen in the Division 3 final before Engelhardt ever reaches the starting line.

Newbury Park, which won the Division 2 title in 2019, returns following a runner-up effort last season in Division 1, looking to ascend to the top of the podium again behind the impressive tandem of Ailish Hawkins and Tiffany Sax.

Palo Alto, Ventura, Mira Costa, Rocklin Whitney, St. Francis Mountain View, Granite Bay and St. Francis Sacramento are all capable of podium finishes in one of the deepest divisions in the state.

Mia Torrecillas of Bakersfield Highland, who finished seventh in Division 3 last year, is looking to add another all-state honor in Division 2 this season. Anna Chittenden of Mira Costa was sixth last year in Division 2 for the state champion Mustangs.

Spectacular small school showdown

The 2001 Division 5 boys final remains one of the most competitive in state history, with the three podium teams separated by 13 points, including Woodcrest Christian edging San Francisco University by a 65-67 margin to secure the title.

St. Joseph Notre Dame held off Flintridge Prep with an 86-87 victory in 2012, the closest finish in Division 5 boys championship history.

A decade later, there could be more drama unfolding with Crystal Springs Uplands, Menlo School and Yosemite in title contention and reigning champion Lick-Wilmerding looking to find a path to a repeat.

Crystal Springs Uplands prevailed by a 36-37 margin Nov. 4 against Menlo at the West Bay Athletic League final, then edged the Knights again with a 32-37 victory Nov. 12 at the Central Coast Section championship, with both meets at the Crystal Springs course in Belmont.

Yosemite rolled to a Central Section crown with a perfect 15-point effort Nov. 17 at Woodward Park, with Lick-Wilmerding producing a 57-point performance Nov. 19 at Hayward High to win the North Coast Section championship ahead of San Francisco University and College Prep, which both accumulated 81 points.

Lick Wilmerding won its first Division 5 crown last year, with Crystal Springs Uplands taking third.

Menlo School was seventh and Yosemite placed 14th in Division 4 last season, with both programs moving to Division 5 and becoming instant championship contenders.

It would mark the first state championship for Crystal Springs Uplands, Menlo School or Yosemite, with 2019 winner Viewpoint also in contention following its Southern Section title Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College.

Justin Pretre and Landon Pretre of Menlo School, Ben Olney and Jack Olney of Yosemite, Benjamin Bouie and Furious Clay of Crystal Springs Uplands, Tiernan Colby from Sonoma Academy, Malcolm Oakes of Convent and Stuart Hall, Sean Green of Lick Wilmerding and Eyan Turk of Woodcrest Christian are all potential championship contenders.

This repeat would be twice as sweet

JSerra began the last decade by dominating the Division 4 girls state final, winning three consecutive championships from 2010-12.

The Lions are looking for a similar start to this decade with another repeat, which would make them the only girls program in Division 4 history to secure back-to-back titles on multiple occasions.

JSerra also has the potential to challenge the Division 4 record of 90:58.6 achieved in 2019 by Sage Creek, in addition to becoming the first program in division history to advance to Nike Cross Nationals.

The latter achievement will require a lot of patience for the Lions, since they race first in the schedule of 10 finals, but need to wait an additional four hours until the conclusion of the Division 2 girls championship to determine whether they earned one of two automatic berths, or will have to be considered for one of four national at-large selections.

JSerra was the fastest girls lineup, regardless of division, at the Southern Section final Nov. 19 at Mt. San Antonio College. The Lions expect to compete against several familiar challengers in Oaks Christian, La Canada, Palos Verdes and South Pasadena, as well as Scotts Valley, Colfax and La Jolla.

Summer Wilson, Brynn Garcia and Kaylah Tasser are also pursuing the program record at Woodward Park of 17:48.0 achieved by Katherine Delaney at the 2010 Division 4 state final, with Anastasia Snodgrass, Georgia Jeanneret, Brooke O’Brien and Ellie Johnson adding the necessary depth in order for JSerra to compete Dec. 3 at NXN at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon.

Although the Division 4 all-time mark of 16:30.3 achieved by Claudia Lane of Malibu might be out of reach, there are several competitors in the division capable of producing sub-17 performances, led by Payton Godsey of Oaks Christian.

Godsey, the Southern Section winner, ran the fastest time regardless of division at Mt. SAC by clocking 16:54.2.

Chiara Dailey of La Jolla, the San Diego Section champion, achieved a 16:58.0 effort Oct. 21 at Mt. SAC to win the Division 3-4-5 team sweepstakes race.

Ashlyn Boothby of Scotts Valley ran 17:44.3 in the championship race Oct. 8 at the 43rd ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park, with Dailey clocking 17:47.4.

Renae Searls, the North Coast Section champion, is also a leading contender, along with Maya DeBrouwer of La Canada, Holly Barker of Laguna Hills and Emma Arredondo of Bishop Amat.