OCVarsity’s boys cross country preview for 2015:
O.C. BOYS TOP 10
1. Dana Hills (29): The Dolphins enter the year ranked No. 1 in the CIF-SS Division 1 rankings. They boast fantastic depth, and there is not a better top-half of the lineup than returning All-County seniors Jake Ogden and Mason Coppi.
2. Brea Olinda (25): Led by Austin Tamagno, the Wildcats look to defend the Orange County and state championships they won a year ago. There are a lot of new faces around Tamagno, including sophomore transfer Kevin McNulty and the team’s new coach, Matt Rainwater.
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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW
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3. Canyon (24): The Comanches turn to Chance Lamberth to lead after being challenged for the Crestview League title a year ago. Canyon also returns Dylan Scarsone and Travis Gradijan from its scoring quintet, so this team is not going away.
4. El Toro (17): The Chargers could have four seniors in their scoring five, led by Michael Biedebach, who placed fourth among county competitors at the season-opening Cool Breeze Invite. El Toro had the fifth-fastest team time at the county championships last year.
5. Trabuco Hills (15): Trabuco Hills has a senior-heavy team that adds depth to its lineup with the return of Zack Wheeler, who missed all of last season with a hamstring injury.
6. Tesoro (12): Senior Andrew Suda leads a group of three returners that helped the Titans reach the state meet in CIF Division 2 last season.
7. Yorba Linda (11): The defending North Hills League champions are an experienced group, led by seniors Henry Silva and Tomas Aragone.
8. JSerra (11): The Lions are strong at the top with Andrew Burkhardt, but they will have their hands full as they try to track down the always formidable St. John Bosco in the Trinity League.
9. Huntington Beach (6): The Oilers just missed the cut last year for the state meet and should be motivated to get to Fresno this year.
10. San Clemente (4): Top-end runners keep team point totals low. Senior Connor Dunne does that for the Tritons, and he might be getting some help from junior Jose Carlos de Jesus.
Also receiving votes: Santa Ana (4), Fountain Valley (4), San Juan Hills (2), Mission Viejo (1).
