THE TIMES’ RANKINGS
A look at the top 10 boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams in the Southland:
BOYS
1. Canyon Country Canyon (SS--Foothill)
The second-ranked team in the nation by Harrier magazine had seven of the top 10 finishers in its league finals last week.
2. Long Beach Poly (SS--Moore)
Sore shins have sidelined Oscar Mendez since Sept. 22, but Jackrabbits still took five of the top six places in league finals.
3. Riverside Rubidoux (SS--Sunkist)
Falcons enter postseason as top-ranked Division II team in state after taking first seven places in league finals.
4. Lake Forest El Toro (SS--South Coast)
Chargers move up five spots after defeating Dana Hills, 28-38, in league finals last Friday.
5. Dana Point Dana Hills (SS--South Coast)
Dolphins lost to El Toro in league finals, but won share of league title because they beat Chargers in earlier dual meet.
6. Temecula Valley (SS--Southwestern)
Golden Bears are expected to be at full strength for Southern Section preliminaries Saturday after competing without two of top five runners in league finals.
7. Simi Valley Royal (SS--Marmonte)
Highlanders have run their best three races of the season in last three meets.
8. Barstow (SS--Desert Sky)
Aztecs remain top-ranked Division III team in state after taking five of the top six places in league finals.
9. Anaheim Katella (SS--Empire)
Knights move up a spot after winning their 12th consecutive league title last week.
10. Rosemead Bosco Tech
(SS--Camino Real)
Tigers’ top seven runners should be rested for section preliminaries after racing infrequently in October.
GIRLS
1. Anaheim Esperanza (SS--Sunset)
The eighth-ranked team in the nation suffered its only loss of the season to top-ranked Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) in the Great Race of the Great Bay at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Sept. 8.
2. Chino Hills Ayala (SS--Sierra)
Bulldogs have run two best races of season in last two meets.
3. Dana Point Dana Hills (SS--South Coast)
Dolphins move up six spots after setting course team-time record in league finals.
4. Murrieta Valley (SS--Southwestern)
Nighthawks had five of top seven finishers in league finals last week.
5. Irvine Woodbridge (SS--Sea View)
The Southern Section’s top-ranked Division II team had five of the top eight finishers in league finals.
6. Palos Verdes Peninsula (SS--Bay)
Panthers had seven of top 11 finishers in league finals to win 11th consecutive title.
7. Fountain Valley (SS--Sunset)
Bethany Nickless, Amanda O’Neal and Erin Empting give Barons solid 1-2-3 punch.
8. Yucaipa (SS--San Andreas)
Thunderbirds are eighth-ranked Division I team in state and Southern Section polls.
9. Canyon Country Canyon (SS--Foothill)
Cowboys had seven of top 12 finishers in league finals to win eighth consecutive title.
10. Simi Valley Royal (SS--Marmonte)
Highlanders won a share of second consecutive league title last week after winning first Ventura County championship on Oct. 26.