The Mustangs enter the 2006 cross country season ranked #10 in division 4.  In the past several years, the Southern Section has sent the top 7 teams to the State Meet held in Fresno at Woodward Park.  The Mustangs last ran at the State Meet in 2000. 

 

Big Bear led by All-American candidate Chad Hall enter as the #1 ranked team in division 4.  Laguna Beach is ranked #2.  Traditional powerhouse teams in the small school divisions, Morro Bay and Maranatha are ranked #3 and #4 respectively.  Capping the top 5 is relatively unknown Maibu. 

 

Paraclete who only return 3 runners from last year's team is ranked #6.  Fillmore is ranked #7.  Bishop Montgomery who is coached by Salesian alumnus Albert Pedroza is ranked #9.  La Salle from Pasadena is ranked #9.  

 

The Mustangs have their eyes set on catching both Bishop Montgomery and La Salle.  For several years now, the Mustangs and Bishop Montgomery have trained together at their week long running camp held at Mammoth Lakes.  Both teams know what each program is capable of.  It will be fun to see how this friendly rivalry will turn out.  Last season, La Salle captured the Sante Fe League Title.  La Salle won the first 2 league meets by a total of 4 points.  However, the Mustangs rebounded by placing their top 5 on the Sante Fe All-League team at League Finals, routing La Salle by 22 points. 

 

Although it is only mid-September, and 8 weeks still remain, the Mustangs are optimistic that a trip to Finals is attainable.