Salinas City cross country meet

 With all five Salinas schools now in the same division, the significance in the annual Salinas City meet championships has lost some of its fire.
 There's no element of surprise or curiosity, particularly since the five schools will face each other three times in Gabilan Division Center Meets -- having just run against each other last week.
 What the meet does provide is another appearance at Toro Park today as runners get reacquainted with the course -- which is where the league and CCS finals will be held.
 What could put this meet on a bigger stage is changing it to a county championship meet. Invite all the county teams for bragging rights.
 The timing of the year is perfect for a meet like this. Personally, I'd like to see Palma, Greenfield and Pacific Grove clash in the boys division. Could Salinas hold off Carmel in girls?
 Points change when there are more bodies in a race. It also creates a more energetic atmosphere, a must in cross country.
 As for today, look for Palma to hold off defending boys champion Alisal and Salinas to repeat as Salinas City Meet champions in girls.