68th Mt. SAC Invitational -- 10 teams to watch

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Bella Vista girls

Following a dramatic victory at its own Bronco Invitational on a sixth-runner tiebreaker over Clovis North, Bella Vista – led by Kendall Derry and Cessair McKinney – faces its toughest challenge of the season in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes, including its first matchup this year with Saugus in a preview of the Division 2 state final.

Brea-Olinda boys

The Wildcats demonstrated their depth last season by winning the Division 3 team sweepstakes title without Austin Tamagno in the lineup. Tamagno has committed to running Friday instead of Saturday, making Brea even more dangerous in their pursuit for a third consecutive sweepstakes victory following a runner-up finish at the Orange County Championships.

Burroughs (Burbank) boys

The most memorable performance in program history came on the Mt. SAC course when the Indians won last year’s Southern Section Division 1 title. Burroughs, now at full strength with the recent return of Andrew Barrondo, will get a chance to compete against Great Oak and Dana Hills in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes, preparing itself to challenge both teams in the postseason in the section and state finals.

La Costa Canyon girls

The Mavericks, led by Michaela Fromme and McKenna Brown, will get their first look in the Division 3 sweepstakes race at several challengers they must defeat in order to get on the podium at the state meet. Although it is uncertain whether Palos Verdes, the defending Division 3 state champion, will compete at full strength, La Costa Canyon will still get to square off against Esperanza and Moorpark in its biggest test since the Stanford Invitational.   

Loyola boys

After several impressive efforts at Great Cow Run, Mt. Carmel, Bell-Jeff and San Gabriel Valley 1 on 1 Challenge, the Cubs will now step up and compete in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes race, led by Preston Ortiz, Jonathan Pinon and Charlie Sherman. Loyola has a big opportunity to gauge itself against fellow Division 2 powers West Torrance, Mira Costa, West Ranch, Anaheim Canyon and Agoura in preparation for the postseason.

Mayfield girls

The Cubs won’t get an opportunity to race against Bishop Amat in the Division 4 sweepstakes race in what would have been a potential preview of the Southern Section and state meets, but they will get to compete against several other state-ranked teams. Mayfield, led by Emily Serhan and Katherine Tighe, looks to add another significant victory following its strong performance at the Clovis Invitational.

McFarland boys

One of the best Central Section teams, regardless of division, McFarland will seek a third consecutive Division 4 team sweepstakes title at Mt. SAC, before pursuing a berth in the Division 1 state final against Madera South, Clovis and Buchanan in November. McFarland, led by Jose Rodriguez and Melecio Gonzalez, has won 16 boys sweepstakes titles at Mt. SAC, more than any other school.

Monte Vista girls

One of the elite teams in the North Coast Section, Monte Vista performed well at Nike Portland XC with a seventh-place finish in the Jim Danner championship race, second among California teams. The Mustangs, led by Brooke Starn and Meredith Corda, face another significant test in the Division 1-2 individual sweepstakes race against Mira Costa and Arroyo Grande.

Trabuco Hills girls

Following a sweepstakes victory at the Orange County Championships, the Mustangs will look to continue their momentum in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes race behind the efforts of Makenna Duda, Chloe Schmitz and Trinidee Stewart. Trabuco Hills was 10^th in the Woodbridge sweepstakes race, 12^th in the Stanford seeded race and 17^th in the championship race at Clovis, but turned the corner with its first Orange County title since 2011.

West Ranch boys

Not at full strength at the Clovis Invitational, resulting in a 12^th-place finish in the championship race, West Ranch will look to get a better indication for the postseason by measuring itself against Division 2 rivals West Torrance, Mira Costa, Loyola, Anaheim Canyon and Agoura in the Division 1-2 team sweepstakes race. The Wildcats will benefit from the return of Ryan Painter in support of Tucker Welker and Preston Pope.