5 Inland Valley cross country teams competing at state Saturday

The CIF State Championships for cross country take place on Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno. Unlike previous years, I will not be there. Ace reporter J.P. Hoornstra will be there instead.

Here is a look at the Inland Valley teams/individuals that will be competing:
Division 1 boys, 12:20 p.m.
Rancho Cucamonga
The Cougars were ranked No. 1 in the state last week before finishing second at CIF-SS Finals. As well as Arcadia ran last week, it will take a vast improvement by Rancho Cucamonga and a drop off by Arcadia to win, but second place would still be impressive. This is the fourth straight year at state for the team, and for seniors Luis Gutierrez and Calvin Davis, who were on the varsity as freshmen. Senior Jon Dileva is also one of the team's top runners.
Division 2 boys, 11:15 a.m.
Ayala
For the longest time, Ayala's girls had the better reputation, but this is the third time in the last five years the boys are going. The boys finished fourth last week and will have to run well to maintain that position.
Division 2 girls, 12:50 p.m.
Colony
The Colony girls have had Xochitl Navarrete and Valerie Mares go as individuals before, but never had their team go. The Titans are happy to be there after finishing seventh and grabbing the last qualifying spot, so just running a solid race is a good goal.
Division 3 boys, 1:25 p.m.
Damien
The Spartans were a contender for state last year, but came up short. Now, they're back for the first time since 2003. Three seniors are among the Spartans' top 5, but junior Doug Negrete was the top runner last week, taking 19th at CIF-SS Finals
Division 3 girls, 11:45 a.m.
Bonita
This is the third straight trip to state for junior Marissa Scott, but the first with teammates around her. Scott was 25th last year after taking 42nd as a freshman. Coach Lonny Carr wasn't altogether pleased initially with finishing 7th at CIF-SS Finals, but also relieved the team qualified for the first time since 2005.