California and Colorado kick off play in earnest this coming week, and Arizona already is well underway, while a few other states in the West Region won’t start for another two weeks.
If that’s not reason enough to get excited, there are several big matchups right off the bat, including a great crossover game between states. A top-three showdown gets us going with No. 1 St. Ignatius (Calif.) and No. 3 Valor Christian (Colo.) facing off March 7. Valor turns around the next day to take on No. 8 Marin Catholic (Calif.).
Our West rankings cover the Mountain, Pacific and Northwest regions and at least part of the Southwest. Rankings are compiled by USA Lacrosse writers with input from coaches around the country.
1. St. Ignatius (Calif.)
2024 record: 19-2
St. Ignatius defended its title and claimed the CCS championship crown in 2024 for the third consecutive year after a victory over Sacred Heart (Calif.), the same team they defeated for the title in 2023. The Wildcats capped their season at 19-2 with their only losses against East Coast powerhouses, Lawrenceville (N.J.) and Chaminade (N.Y.). St. Ignatius is slated to play both those teams again in April. Dartmouth-bound attack Stu Gates returns for his senior season while sophomore standout Max Ripple (Michigan) will be a player to watch this spring. The Wildcats open their season against De La Salle (Calif.) on Friday, Feb. 28.
2. Torrey Pines (Calif.)
2024 record: 20-3
Last season, Torrey Pines clinched the CIF state championship for the sixth straight year in what was the largest scoring deficit ever in a San Diego Section title match. The Falcons finished the year on a 17-3 run and return seven Division I commits, including Johns Hopkins-bound Joey Levenberg.
3. Valor Christian (Colo.)
2024 record: 17-2
Valor Christian won the 5A CHSAA state championship in 2024 to claim the program’s third-ever title and its first since 2017; the 22-6 rout over Arapahoe (Colo.) was the largest margin of victory in a Colorado high school state championship game ever. After a 17-2 season, the Eagles return 12 Division I commits, six seniors and six juniors.
4. Regis Jesuit (Colo.)
2024 record: 11-7
Regis Jesuit capped its 2024 season on an 11-7 ledger, picking up big wins over Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) and Mountain Vista (Colo.). The Raiders lost three seniors who went on to play at Villanova, Denver and Air Force. This year Regis Jesuit will face Cathedral Catholic once again and Santa Fe Christian (Calif.).
5. St. Margaret's Episcopal (Calif.)
2024 record: 19-2
St. Margaret’s Episcopal won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in 2024, marking the program’s fourth Southern Section title and first since 2019. The Tartans capped their season at 19-2 and return senior middie Caswell Friedman, who is committed to North Carolina.
6. Sacred Heart (Calif.)
2024 record: 17-7
The Gators finished the 2024 season on a 17-7 ledger and made a run to the CCS Division 1 championship match where they fell to No. 1 St. Ignatius (Calif.) for the third year in a row. Sacred Heart is home to three collegiate Division I commits in Jack Barton (North Carolina), Hampton Galletti (Air Force) and John Barnds (Princeton).
7. Jesuit (Ore.)
2024 record: 18-1
Jesuit Portland won its third consecutive OHSLA state championship last season and finished 18-1 overall, with its only loss coming from a tough Dallas Jesuit (Texas) team. The Crusaders lost seven seniors, who all went on to play for Division I collegiate programs, and return four D-I commits.
8. Marin Catholic (Calif.)
2024 record: 16-5
Marin Catholic made history last season after securing the program’s first-ever North Coast Section Division state championship. The Wildcats are already 2-0 on the season, picking up dominant road wins over Westlake (Calif.) and Mater Dei Santa Ana (Calif.). Jack Herold (Marquette) and Tate Sedlachek (Harvard) return for their junior campaigns.
9. Brophy (Ariz.)
2024 record: 22-2
The Broncos are 5-2 already this year, opening its season on a 5-0 run, combining for 95 goals scored and 30 goals against. Brophy saw its first two losses against tough West Coast teams, a narrow, 10-8, loss to Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) and a 5-4 loss to Bishops (Calif.) in extra time. The Broncos are home to five Division I collegiate commits, including junior middie Eli Friedman (Marquette).
10. Arapahoe (Colo.)
2024 record: 17-2
After a 17-2 season and its fourth straight appearance in the 5A state championship, Arapahoe returns three Division I commits in senior Wes Foa (St. Joseph’s, Pa.) and juniors Nicholas Parker and Connor Gilchrist, who are both Army-bound.