2026 Goodbye Legends, Thank You for Allowing Me to Watch

 Why do I do what I do...well there will be more on that with my next post...but what fuels the long days is when someone produces an extraordinary effort. It is when the runner PRs, makes one of the all-time lists, breaks a school or County record. That is to say, being the best, doing what no one has done before. For me, being able to observe or witness these event energizes me. Some wonder why am I called "Screamin Scott" when I might be pretty quiet at most meets. But during those meets when I am watching the extraordinary, I become quite load and animated. 

 

This post is to review and thank some of the graduates for showing all of us the greatness produced by hard work.

 

I am reviewing some of the highlights of eleven of the best distance runners to ever hit the trails and ovals of the South SJS region:

 

CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ (Sierra)--earned 1st team all SJS in XC and 2nd team in track in the first year of my expanded coverage. In XC Christian came on when it mattered at the end of the season. His final Woodward Park time of 15:50 ranks #37 for the South SJS. In track I have no doubt that Christian could have hit the track trifecta by breaking 10 in the 3200 if given the real opportunity; but as it was, he rand 1:58.25 in the 800 and an impressive 4:18.89 in the 1600. That 1600m time ranks as #30 all time for the South SJS. 

 

JACE CAMPOS (Pacheco)--after being injured for part of XC and almost all of track, it would be easy to dismiss Jace when compiling this list. That would be a mistake. One must remember that Jace was the South SJS XC Runner of the Year. That means that according to the coaches who voted, Jace had a better XC season than all of the other boys on this list (and in the South SJS). He ranks #9 all time South SJS for Willow Hills and #11 South SJS (15:30) for the historic Woodward park Course. His best track times are rather modest, 4:34 and 9:39, but remember those are his junior marks since he missed his whole senior season.

 

GIO MEJIA (Pacheco)--Gio was Jace's running partner for four years. Gio was no one's shadow though. He was voted to the 1st team South SJS for XC and earned a spot on the second team for track. In XC he ran 16:10 at Willow Hills which is #15 for South SJS and #42 all time at Woodward Park (15:53). In track he hit admirable times of 4:28 and 9:25.

 

 RILEY GIER (Lathrop)--Riley exploded at the end of his senior track season riding the wave of success all the way to a medal in the 800m at State. His best time of 4:18.49 in the 1600m ranks #26 for South SJS. It is his 800m that cemented him in SJS history. His best time of 1:52.02 ranks him #4 all time for South SJS. He earned 1st team South SJS in track this season. 

 

LARSON WEJMAR (Turlock)--Larson was a work-horse at Turlock. He was All StanCo Xc in 2024 and 25. Hwas 2nd team Soth SJS for the 2025 XC season. He ranks #32 for South SJS at Willow Hills. On the oval Larson was all StanCo in 24, 25, and 26. He was second team South SJS in 2026. Larson produced a quick 9:14.01 for 3200m which lands him at #12 all time for StanCo and #16 for South SJS.   

HAYES TERRY (Beyer)--Hayes is a warrior. His form looks less like a sports car and more like a tractor...but you worked for him. In XC he was all StanCo in 24 and 25. In 25 he was voted 1st team South SJS. He ranks #18 at Willow Hills (16:15) and #23 at Woodward (15:40). In track he was all StanCo in 24, 25, and 26. He made 2nd team South SJS for track in 26. His best times are startling: 4:16.58 (#19) and 9:12.38 (#11).

 

 

The boys were good, but these five girls were just on a whole different level. 

 

LENA LLAMAS (Buhach Colony)--in XC Lena was 1st team South SJS as voted by the coaches. She ranks #12 at Willow Hills and #29 for South SJS at Woodward (18:41). At the track she was 1st team South SJS with time of 2:15.07 (#13), 5:11.54, and 10:58.38 (#21).

 

JYMENA NGUYEN MARQUEZ (Grace Davis)--Jymena had a great senior year. In XC she was all StanCo in 24 and 25. She was voted 2nd team South SJS XC in 2025. Her best time at Willow Hills ranks #16 and at Woodward she ranks #20 (18:32). In track she was all StanCo in 23, 24, 25, and 26. She made 2nd team South SJS track in 2016. In the 1600 she is #32 South SJS at 5:04.10 and in the 3200 she is #16 at 10:55.70

  

AVERY CARLSON (Pitman)--Avery's senior year was disappointing by her junior performances...but those junior performances solidifid Avery forever in the annal of local distance running. She was all StanCo XC in both 24 and 25. In 2025 she was also 2nd team South SJS in XC. Her best times of 19:03 at Willow Hills (#14) and her 18:24 at Woodward ranks as #10 for South SJS. On the track she ranks as #13 in the 1600 at 4:59.41 and in the 3200 her 10:41.36 ranks as # 6 in the South SJS.

 

GISELLE FERNANDEZ (Riverbank)--50 years from now Giselle might still hold the South SJS 1600m record...yep 10 seconds...she ran 10 seconds faster in the 1600m than anyone else from this area ever has. If that was all she did that would be enough to leave me awe struck, but there is so much more to celebrate. Let's begin with XC. She was all StanCo XC in 23, 24, and 25. She was also voted as South SJS Runner of the Year in XC. Her 18:28 at Willow Hills ranks as #3. Her 17:20 at Woodward tops the South SJS list (#1). In track she is #11 (2:14.60) in the 800, as I said #1 (4:43.80) in the 1600, and #7 (10:45.13) in the 3200.

 

 NATALIE ARRIAZA (Patterson)--Historically the only person that may overshadow what Natalie was able to produce may be Giselle...or is that the other way around? In XC Natalie was All StanCo in 23, 24, and 25. She was 1st team South SJS in XC. At Willow Hills her best time of 18:32 ranks as #5 and at Woodward her 17:37 is second only to Giselle. On the track she holds the South SJS record in the 3200 at 10:20.34. Her other marks of 4:58.96 in the 1600 (#12) and 2:18.34 in the 800 (#40) are also admirable.  

 

 

 

 

2026 STATE MEET

The State meet can be that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, if an athlete performs successfully. Obviously not all athlete produce a max performance, and the State meet and perhaps their athletic career might end in disappointment.Each athlete has their own story and their own measure of success. As always I am only covering the races of the South SJS runners in the distance events. 

 

 

DAY ONE 

 

G 1600 Prelims

10. Giselle Fernandez (Riverbank) 4:49.23 Q 

 

B 1600 Prelims

17. Alex Mejia Hidalgo (Beyer) 4:10.68 

 

G 800 Prelims 

28. Tyleah Badea (Sierra) 2:13.95

 

B 800 Prelims

5. Riley Gier (Lathrop) 1:52.48 Q 

 

 

DAY TWO

 

G 1600 Finals

9 Giselle Fernandez (Riverbank) 4:50.28 

 

B 800 Finals

7. Riley Gier (Lathrop) 1:52.90 

 

G 3200 Finals

 

Arriaza with a big PR

 

8. Natalie Arriaza (Patterson) 10:20.34 (#1 StanCo, #1 South SJS) 

   

RESULTS

PHOTOS day 1

PHOTOS day 2 

  

2026 South SJS Track MASTERS

With the new format the Masters meet is only one day with truly only the best of the best qualifying to get here and having the opportunity to qualify to State. I am not sure yet how I feel about the changes in the qualifying format. BUT in track the person who throws the furthest, jumps the highest, runs the fastest has always won regardless of school size...so it is difficult to argue against taking the fastest 12 (800) or 24 (1600 and 3200). The best athletes qualify end of story. No auto-qualifiers for any division. If D1 qualifies more and D5 qualifies less (it was already that way in the old system). School size is only a factor for a team comparison...athlete to athlete the size of the school should not be an advantage/disadvantage. Well that is my 2 cents. The top three in every event qualify for State unless the athlete meets the at-large qualifying mark.

 

VG 1600

Fernandez is returning to State in the 1600

2. Giselle Fernandez (Riverbank) 4:52.65 ** STATE

5. Jymena Nguyen Marquez (Grace Davis) 5:04.10 (#18 StanCo; #32 South SJS)

8. Fernanda Cortes (Golden Valley) 5:07.52

18 Morgan Emery (Lathrop) 5:38.84

  

VB 1600

 

Mejia Hidalgo hits the at-large time to qualify for State

6. Alex Mejia Hidalgo (Beyer) 4:10.39 (# 3 StanCo; #4 South SJS)** STATE

15. Christian Gonzalez (Sierra) 4:24.62

16. Yair Gonzalez (Atwater) 4:25.36

  

VG 800

Badea with the big kick to take 2nd in the 800

2. Tyleah Badea (Sierra) 2:12.62 (#5 South SJS)  ** STATE

  

VB 800

Gier with a PR and a berth into State

3. Riley Gier (Lathrop) 1:52.02 (#4 South SJS) ** STATE

  

VG 3200

Arriaza with a slight PR and new StanCo record

2. Natalie Arriaza (Patterson) 10:29.12 (#1 StanCo; #1 South SJS)

4. Anahi Ruiz Velasco (Beyer)  10:48.67 (#7 StanCo; #9 South SJS)

5. Elle Williams (Turlock) 10:49.07

10. Fernanda Cortes (Beyer) 10:59.41

12. Jymena Nguyen Marquez (Grace Davis) 10:59.99

15. Jaylyn Carrillo (Patterson) 11:08.04

18. Eleanor Hampton (Merced) 11:10.30

   

VB 3200 

 

Terry and Wilson

9. Hayes Terry (Beyer) 9:22.97

10. Landon Wilson (Sonora) 9:24.11

11. Dominic Urteaga (Golden Valley) 9:26.25

13. Gio Mejia (Pacheco) 9:26.47

14. Yair Gonzalez (Atwater) 9:27.36 (Atwater School Record)

19. Weston McGhee (Oakdale) 9:37.36

24. Sean Muturi (Oakdale) 9:54.52

 

RESULTS

PHOTOS pt 1 (field and 4x8)

PHOTOS pt 2 (4x1, 1600, 400, 100, 800)

PHOTOS pt 3 (300h, 200, 3200, 4x4) 

  

2026 All South SJS Distance Team

This is my first year using the expanded South SJS Distance area to name a track team. Unlike the All South SJS XC Team which was voted on and decided by the coaches, The track team is based on reaching certain set times. For the boys the set marks are sub 2:00 (800), sub 4:30 (1600), and sub 10:00 (3200). On the girls' side the times are 2:20 (800), 5:25 (1600), and 12:00 (3200). To make the first team the runner had to hit all three of the times. For the second team you needed two of them. There were 54 athlete who hit al least one. Eight made the first team, and 28 made the second team. Just as a point of comparison there were 35 from StanCo who hit at least one of the times, which is slightly below last year's total of 42.

 

(If you are on this collage and want a copy, message me by 6/1 with your name and address and I send you one)

 

FIRST TEAM ALL SOUTH SJS DISTANCE TRACK TEAM

 

NATALIE ARRIAZA (Patterson) 12-- Natalie's best times this season of 2:18.34 and 4:59.20 would be landmark performances for most athletes. But it is her 10:29.67 3200m time ranks as #1 in South SJS and the StanCo record which cements Natalie forever in the history books. Some of her highlights this season were 1st in the 800 at Black and Blue, 2nd in the 1600 at StanCo, 1st in the 3200 at Dublin, 1st in the 3200 at VOL, and 1st in the 3200 at SJS D3. She qualified for Masters in the 3200.

 

GISELLE FERNANDEZ (Riverbank) 12--Giselle's marks this year accounted for the South SJS best of 2:14.60 and 4:51.60. She added a 11:49.73 to complete the trio of All South SJS  qualifying times. Giselle's notable races this year included placing 1st in the StanCo 800 and 1600. She swept the distance events at the MLL and placed 1st at the SJS D5 1600m and qualified for Masters.

 

RILEY GIER (Lathrop) 12--Riley's big day came at SJS D4 Championship where he won the 800m in an extraordinary 1:52.59 (#6 South SJS). Incredible! Additionally he produced times this season of 4:18.49 (#26 South SJS) and 9:44.59. He was 1st at Dave Soeth in the 800, 1600, and 3200. He was also 1st at Timberwolf in the 1600 and MJC in the 3200. He won SJS D4 in the 800. He qualified for Masters in the 800 and the 3200.

 

 

YAIR GONZALEZ (Atwater) 10--As a soph Yair was finding his stride this season. He produced admirable times of 1:59.79, 4:24.70, and 9:32.34. He was 1st at Bob Pryor in the 800 and 2nd at CCC in the 3200. He qualified for Masters in the 1600 and 3200.

 

 LENA LLAMAS (Buhach Colony) 12--Lena has spent much of her HS years on the injured list. This season she strung together some very strong races producing marks of 2:16.31, 5:16.27, and 10:58.38 (which is #20 all time South SJS). Lena placed 1st in the CCC 800m.

 

WESTON MCGHEE (Oakdale) 11--Weston was 1st at County Clash in the 1600 and 2nd in the VOL in the 1600 and 3200. He produced impressive times of 1:59.99, 4:28.97, and 9:26.83. He qualified for Masters in the 3200.

 

 

ALEX MEJIA HIDALGO (Beyer) 11--Alex had a big day at SMOC producing times of 1:53.32 (#11 South SJS) ) and 4:11.87 (#7 South SJS). To complete the season trifecta he ran 9:32.89 for the 3200. He was 1st in the 800 at StanCo, WAC, and SMOC. He qualified for Masters in the 1600.

 

DOMINIC URTEAGA (Golden Valley) 10--Dom was a workhorse for Golden Valley and remarkably versatile across the three distance events. He placed first in the 800 and both MerCo and County Clash.He was the CCC Champ in both the 1600 and 3200. He qualified for Masters in those same two events. His best times were 1:59.73, 4:23.22, and 9:25.62.

  

SECOND TEAM ALL SOUTH SJS DISTANCE TRACK TEAM

 

TYLEAH BADEA (Sierra) 11--Tyleah had to sit out 1/2 of the season. However her marks of 2:17.40 and 5:03.67 shows she was working hard during that break. She placed 1st at VOL in the 800 and 1600. She was 2nd in the 800 and 3rd in the 1600 at SJS D3. She qualified for Masters in both the 800 and 1600. 

 

JAMES BARAJAS (Golden Valley) 11--James, like his teammate Dom was a workhorse often tripling throughout the season. He won the 1600 at Dean Andreessen and was second at the MerCo and Rust Buster 800. His top times were 4:29.62 and 9:40.95.

 

HAVYN BARTELL (Beyer) 12--Havyn's best times were 4:26.87 and 9:39.23. He placed 2nd in the StanCo 1600 and 2nd in the WAC 3200.

 

AVERY CARLSON (Pitman) 12-- Avery was injured all season and still managed some enviable times of 5:08.90 and 11:18.67. She placed 1st at StanCo in the 3200 and at County Clash in the 1600. 

 

JAYLYN CARRILLO (Patterson) 9--Jaylyn was 1st at Rust Buster, 2nd at VOL, and 3rd at SMOC all in the 3200. She ran 5:14.53 in the 1600. But it is the 10:50.25 in the 3200 that ranks #11 South SJS that is truly remarkable. She qualified for Masters in the 3200. 

 

LIZ CHRISTOPHER (Turlock) 12--Liz produced times of 5:24.32 and 11:42. She was 2nd at Dean Andreessen in the 1600 and Hughson Vintage in the 2mile. She was 3rd in the CCAL 3200. 

 

FERNANDA CORTES (Golden Valley) 11--Fernanda  placed 2nd at SMOC in the 3200, 1st in the CCC 1600 and 2nd in the 3200. In the SJS D3 3200 she placed 4th. Her best times were 5:01.77 (#23 South SJS) and 10:50.25 (#11 South SJS). She qualified for Masters in the 3200.  

 

DEMIREE DEAN (Sonora) 12--Demiree's best performances were 5:20.97 and 11:35.28. She placed. At TVL she was 1st in the 3200, 2nd in the 1600, and 3rd in the 800. She placed 4th in the SJS D5 3200.

ANNA DITTMAN (Sierra) 10--Anna started the season on a tear and then some nagging injury issues slowed that progress. She ran 5:08.49 and 11:19.36. She was 1st in the 800 at Dave Soeth, Timber wolf 1600 and 800, and Car Chandler in the 3200. She qualified for Masters in the 3200 but chose to tend to her injuries rather than compete. 

ROSELYNN DOMINGUEZ (Modesto) 9-- Roselynn was 2nd at the StanCo 3200 and 4th in the 1600. She won the MJC 3200 and placed 2nd in both the 3200 and 1600 at CCAL. Her best marks were 5:08.62 and 11:21.0

CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ (Sierra) 12--focused mostly on the 800 this season but his best performances came in the 1600. He was He was 1st at Timber wolf, Carl Chandler, and VOL in the 800. He won the 1600 at VOL. He ran 1:58.23 and 4:19.89 (#30 South SJS). He qualified for Masters in the 1600

ELEANOR HAMPTON (Merced) 10--Eleanor place 2nd at Dean Andreessen in both the 1600 and 3200. She won the 3200 and placed 2nd in the 1600 at CCC. Her best times were 5:10.94 and 10:49.0 in the 3200 which is the new MerCo record and ranks #9 for South SJS. She qualified for Masters in the 3200. 

GABRIELA HICKS (Golden Valley) 11--Gabi had a very bust season. She was 1st at Black and Blue in the 1600 and 2nd at Rust Buster in the 3200 and Bob Pryor in the 1600. She produced times of 5:20.67 and 11:40.70

SIDNEY LOGSDON (Hilmar) 12--Sidney was 1st at MerCo and TVL in the 1600. She placed 4th at the SJS D5 1600 and 3rd in the 3200. Her best performances were 5:18.45 and 11:25.29.

 

NAYELI MATTISON (Pitman) 12--Nayeli is a remarkably versatile athlete, sprinting, hurdling, and running the 800 and 1600. Actually her only open 800 of the season produced a time of 2:18.08. Her best 1600 was nothing to sneeze at--5:23.26.  

 

GIO MEJIA (Pacheco) 12--Gio's best times were 4:28.25 and 9:25.14. He was 1st in the 1600 at Distance Wars and 3rd in the WAC 3200.

 

SEAN MUTURI (Oakdale) 12--Sean placed 1st in the VOL, StanCo and County Clash 3200. His best marks were 4:27.93 and 9:33.16. He qualified for Masters in the 3200.

 

 JYMENA NGUYEN MARQUEZ (Grace Davis) 12--Jymena produced serious times of 5:08.11 and 10:55.70 (#15 South SJS). She dominated the WAC winning the 1600 and 3200 and placing 2nd in the 800. At SJS D4 she was 1st in both the 1600 and 3200. She qualified for Masters in both the 1600 and 3200. 

 

MYLIE OLSON (Turlock) 11--Mylie's top times were 2:18.23 and 5:20.53. She placed 1st at Delta Mustang and CCAL in the 800. 

 

IVAN RODRIGUEZ (Modesto) 11--Ivan won Rust Buster in the 1600 and was 2nd at CCAL in the 1600 and 3200. His times of 4:26.41 and 9:36.44 qualify him for this spot.

 

ANAHI RUIZ VELASCO (Beyer) 9--Anahi was 1st at Dist Wars in the 3200 and at County Clash. She was also 2nd at WAC in both the 1600 and 3200. She placed 2nd in the SJS D4 3200. Her best performances were 5:09.09 and 10:59.43 (#21 South SJS). She qualified for Masters in the 3200.

 

ANNIE SERVIN (Beyer) 9--Annie was 1st at the Carl Bryant 800 and 2nd in the 1600.She was also 2nd in the 800 at StanCo and 3rd at WAC. Her best marks were 5:20.80 and 11:46.92.  

 

HAYES TERRY (Beyer) 12--Had Hayes run the 800 more often he might have made the 1st team. He did produce admirable times of 4:16.58 (#19 South SJS) and 9:12.38 (#11 South SJS). He placed 1st in the StanCo 1600 and 1st at the WAC and SJS D4 3200. He qualified for Masters in both the 1600 and 3200.

 AUBRI VILLA (Golden Valley) 11--Aubri ran 5:20.62 and 11:56.64. She placed 1st at MerCo in the 800 and at Bob Pryor in the 3200. 

 

LARSON WEJMAR (Turlock) 12--Larson won Dist Wars in the 3200 and CCAL in the 1600 and 3200. He ran 4:22.31 in the 1600. His best mark was a 9:14.01 3200m that is #16 South SJS.

 

ELLE WILLIAMS (Turlock) 10--Elle missed half the season but over the final meets worked to rectify the absence. She won the CCAL in both the 1600 and 3200. She  placed 2nd in the 3200 and 3rd in the 1600 at the SJS D2. Her best times were 5:06.16 and 10:41.22 (#5 South SJS) She qualified for Masters in both the 1600 and 3200.

 

LANDON WILSON (Sonora) 10--Landon placed 1st in the TVL 1600 and 3200. He won the SJS D5 3200 to qualify for Masters. His best times were 4:29.71 and 9:18.62 (#24 South SJS).

 

ADDISON WYLIE (Oakdale) 10--Addison's best times were 5:13.59 and 11:22.61. She was 2nd at County Clash in the 1600 and 3200. She placed 3rd at VOL in the 3200. 

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION ALL SOUTH SJS DISTANCE TRACK TEAM 

Runners who met only one of the three standards were honorable mention.

 

MORGAN EMERY (Lathrop) 10--1600-5:14.97

EMMA LYNN HOGAN (Central Catholic) 11--3200-11:46.01

GRACE BENITEZ (Hughson) 11--3200-11:58.09

TENLEY WYLIE (Oakdale) 9--3200-11:55.33

KYLIE FAST (Oakdale) 11--1600-5:23.02

SOPHIE BENHAM (Hughson) 12--1600-5:23.26

MAGGIE BECCHETTI (Hughson) 10--3200-11:46.21

JERRY MADRIGAL (El Capitan) 12--800-1:57.36

ELI SCOTT (Pitman) 11--800-1:59.89

MANNY RUIZ (Hughson) 11-- 800-1:59.79

ETHAN SAMULSKI (Beyer) 10--3200-9:50.26

QUINN BACA (Oakdale) 11-- 3200-9:44.25

GAVIN MARTIN (Turlock) 11--3200-9:52.53

ADEN CAVANAUGH (Oakdale) 9--3200-9:59.45

GABE AVALOS (Turlock) 12--3200-9:51.56

JACE CAMPOS (Pacheco) 12--3200-9:51.21

ARMANDO GARCIA (Riverbank) 11--800-1:58.70

GISELA HERNANDEZ (Turlock) 9--5:19.66