League Finals Previews

Cross Country season began in June or July for many of our athletes, and it reaches it culmination for most with this week’s League Finals Championship Meets – with league titles and CIF berths on the line.

The various leagues differ in how they award their team championships, but CIF mandates advancement procedure to the post-season – the top three teams from 5-6 team leagues, and the top four from 7-8 team leagues.  Plus, up to three individuals from non-qualifying teams may advance provided they finish in the top six in the finals meet.  Teams may advance on an “at-large” basis if they are 13th or better in any two of the last four CIF Polls.  So far, only the Claremont boys and South Hills & Bonita girls have met that standard.

Bishop Amat and Webb got the jump on the local competitors in their Finals held on Saturday.  The Lancers advanced both teams to D3 prelims with third place finishes in the Del Rey Finals at Santa Fe Dam.  Seniors Illiana Velazquez (4th/18:27) and Zach Mendoza (13th/16:33) were their top performers on the flat, 3 mile course.  Webb senior Bailey Stockdale booked his place in D5 Prelims with a 16:03, third place performance over the hilly 2.91 mile course at Pierce College in the Prep League Finals.

Complete League Previews after the jump.

Be sure to check Dyestatcal’s League Finals Index Page for more post-season information and complete results for every league finals meet.

Tuesday, November 2

Glendora is the only SGV team in the Baseline League, which competes at Mt.SAC.  The Tartans are second to Rancho Cucamonga after the sole cluster meet.  The girls made progress on Rancho at the Mt.SAC Invite, and could just nab the title with a strong day.  The Boys struggled at Mt.SAC and will have to step up just to assure a CIF qualifying spot.

Sharing the Mt.SAC course will be the powerful Sierra League featuring five CIF ranked teams.  The Claremont boys are a near lock to win their initial league title, and the girls seem just as solid for second.  Damien is in the driver’s seat for the third CIF spot, especially after South Hills lost their usual team leader to injury at Mt.SAC.  St. Lucy’s and South Hills are in a three-way tie with Chino Hills for third – the winner among them will advance.  The Huskies are assured of an at-large spot through today’s CIF Rankings, and the Regents will have to run at their best.  With a good performance, Charter Oak junior Carly Lake can advance individually.

The Mission Valley League moves from Legg Lake to Bonelli Park for their final.  Arroyo is very likely to take the boys title, with South El Monte just as likely for second.  Rosemead and fast-improving Gabrielino will fight it out for the third CIF spot.  Oswell Caal (Mountain View) will look to advance individually.  The Rosemead and Arroyo girls split the first two cluster meets, with the Panthers resting several top runners in the second contest.  The title will go to whichever team is better on the day, with South El Monte and Gabrielino contesting the final spot.

The Valle Vista League will also be competing over a different, flatter course at Bonelli.  Covina look likely to repeat as boys and girls champs.  In the newly expanded league, there are four CIF spots up for grabs.  Northview and especially a rapidly improving Baldwin Park seem likely to take the next two boys spots, with Wilson fighting it out Nogales for the final spot.  The Nobles might be favored here if they can finally run at full strength in this meet.  Among the girls, San Dimas, Northview, and Baldwin Park seem likely to take the other CIF spots, with their order determined on the day.  Individually, seniors Alan Callison (Northview) and Miriam Jimenez seem almost certain to advance and to gain the league titles.

Thursday, November 4th

The seven team Hacienda League will hold their first league finals meet at Mt.SAC.  Bonita on the girls side and Rowland are the clear favorites to take the league titles after rather easy wins in the two league cluster meets.  Among the boys West Covina are sitting second but should be challenged by Los Altos, who ran very well at Mt.SAC, with Diamond Bar the likely fourth.  West Covina and Los Altos should battle for the second spot while Rowland should be fourth.  Two frosh, Dylan Nobbs (Bonita) and Melanie Deciga (Walnut) are likely individual qualifiers.

The Montview League really likes Schabarum Park, where they’ll hold their finals – along with three earlier cluster meets.  Azusa is very likely to take the league title over La Puente, with Ganesha and Sierra Vista looking likely for the third and fourth spots.  The Sierra Vista girls are on track to repeat as league champs, followed by Ganesha. The final two spots are up for grabs between Azusa, Bassett, and La Puente. Bassett’s Doug Castro will contend for an individual qualifying spot.