Log Jam at the Top : Lane Tech, Northside Prep, Mather, and Whitney Young

Ma

Mather is like the Energizer Bunny in cross country...they just keep winning and winning. Above is their 2007 city championship cross country team.

When it comes to Public League boys cross country in 2008, there will be the Big 4 and then there will be everyone else. The Big 4: Lane Tech, Northside Prep, Mather, and Whitney Young will dominate debate of who belongs at the top. All 4 schools return most of their core from last year and all 4 can make arguments that they are the NOW team in the city.

Lane Tech-  Lane Tech finished an uncharacteristic 3rd at last year's city championship, but stepped it up at the end by finishing 14th in sectionals - the highest out of any class 3A Public League team. Lane returns number one runner Kulayfi Haji, a junior to be in 2008-09. Haji finished 2nd at city last year and was only 14 seconds shy of qualifying for a state individual berth. Haji will have a strong supporting cast. Fellow junior Victor Terrazas and state 3200 meter qualifying runner Fernando Arroyo will likely be Lane's two and three runners. Arroyo missed last years cross country season due to injury and so Lane will be boosted this year by his services. The key for Lane will be to find a solid 4-7 runners. Some runners that could those spots could include Luis Rodriguez (sr), Nathan Scott-Wade (jr), James Wiatr (jr), and Jimmy Orellana (so).

Northside Prep - Northside Prep missed winning city last year by a mere one point. Plus they return their entire top 7. Their top 5 is very strong. They will be led by 2008 3rd place city finisher Cuitlahuac Pineda (jr)(16:01), Jonathon Kittaka (sr)(16:16), Cooper Eben (jr)(16:30), and sophomores Weslay Laytham and Charlie Mesimore. Don't be surprised if a couple sophomores you never heard of sneak into the varsity squad this year. Northside Prep dominated the city freshman boys level last year by finishing 5 runners in the top 8. Look out for a sophomore named Dominic Sieminski.

Mather - Every year, people seem to overlook the Rangers, but at the end these guys produce. They have won the last two city championships. Returning for Mather this year will be the defending city champion Ivan Coronel. Coronel was the only class 3A Public League Runner to qualify for state last year. Supporting Coronel this year could include runners like Omar Caban, Eddie Torres, George Young, and Miguel Medina. The rest of their top 7 may be a question mark at this time, but one thing for sure we know is that Mather Coach Dale DeVinney will find and develop a solid 7 come city. No one will overlook the Rnagers this year.

Whitney Young -  Some feel that I should have left the Dolphins off this list. I'm not. These guys have some of the best young talent in the Public League. They will be led by sophomore Julian Deville whi got his feet wet last year by finishing 7th in the city at the varsity level with a great time for a freshman of 16:18. Others that may play key role for the Dolphins this year include returning varsity runners Colin Rouser and Matt Schaible. Whitney will also be boosted by members from it's 2007 city championship frosh-soph cross country team.

Jonathon Kittaka (left) and Victor Terrazas battle it out at last year's city championship.