Pacific Division cross country finals

  This is Palma's year. And Notre Dame's as well.
  Both are likely ticketed to the Gabilan Division next year.
  Both are big favorites today to run off with Pacific Division cross country team titles at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy.
  While the Chieftains did fall to Gilroy in the second Center Meet, they are the class of this division, anchored by sophomores Sam Lavorato and Thomas Padilla.
  Undefeated in the Pacific Division this year, Lavorato is ranked in the top 10 in the state in Division IV while Padilla went to the state meet last year as a freshman.
 Depth was an issue last year for the Chieftains. That's not the case this season as Octavio Rubio will chase a top 10 spot at the league finals.
 Notre Dame turned it around almost overnight with the emergence of freshman Angela Leavitt, who wasn't challenged this year in the Pacific Division.
 Leavitt has pulled along teammate Shantal Martinez, who was second in the last Center Meet. Don't overlook Alex Alcaraz, who was the teams No. 1 runner last year.
 Gilroy is a moderate threat to the Spirits, if for no other reason than it's their home course. Seaside is much improved with Patricia Santos.