JSerra’s girls and boys cross country teams will lead the charge as Orange County runners compete Saturday in the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Based on CIF State rankings, JSerra could capture the boys and girls titles in Division 4.
JSerra’s girls won a CIF-SS title last week, finishing ahead of two teams – Bishop Amat of La Puente and Foothill Technology of Ventura – that are expected to challenge for the title Saturday.
JSerra’s boys are in a tougher spot. The Lions are ranked No. 1 in the state for Division 4, but finished second, behind Foothill Technology, at the CIF-SS Finals.
JSerra’s standout freshman, Anthony Grover, is ranked third individually in Division 4.
There are five divisions for boys and girls, and Saturday’s competition begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Division 4 boys race.
Brea Olinda enters state tied for first in the Division 3 boys state rankings with West Torrance. West Torrance beat Brea Olinda for the CIF-SS title, 70-117, last week, but Brea Olinda was running without Crestview League champion Daniel Perez.
Dana Hills boys and girls both finished second at the CIF-SS Finals and should contend for high finishes.
Dana Hills will be competing against one of the most dominant programs in the country, Great Oak of Temecula. Great Oak won the Division 1 boys and girls titles at the CIF-SS Finals.
Canyon, ranked third, and Capistrano Valley, ranked fourth, are expected to contend for the girls Division 3 title. Canyon finished second at the CIF-SS Finals.
Woodward Park’s 5,000-meter course features a mix of terrain. At the midway point is Killer Hill.
