Preseason All-StanCo XC Boys' Team

Alcantara, Medina, Sanders, Aruza

I want to begin by saying my mission has always been to give the hardest working athletes (distance runners) the recognition they richly deserve. My hope is that once that recognition is given, it "doesn't go to anyone's head." Distance running is about hard work and long hot (often dusty) miles. I doesn't matter how many times I write about you in this blog--THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK. Additionally one (or even two) great individuals do not solely produce great team results. At its core, XC is still a team sport; and getting your name on a preseason list, will not win a league championship for your team.

Alania

PRESEASON ALL-STANCO BOYS' TEAM

Given that only two boys return from last year's end of season list, compiling the boys' list was much more difficult than the girls' list. I am basing some of my selections on last season, results during track, and generally on my gut instinct about who I think is ready to blossom as a runner. In other words this was a truly scientific process (not).

Paredez and Adan Chavez

As with the girls' list the returning members are underlined, and the list is in no particular order.

MARC ALANIA, 11th, Modesto
MARIO MEDINA, 12th, Gregori
JONATHAN ALCANTARA, 12th, Gregori
ADAN CHAVEZ, 12th, Riverbank
EMMANUEL CHAVEZ, 12th, Riverbank
RUBEN PAREDEZ,11th, Riverbank
ANDREW WILLIAMS, 12th, Modesto
JEREMY HART, 11th, Big Valley Christian
ANTHONY ARAUZA, 12th, Gregori
DANIEL YANEZ, 11th, Hughson

Yanez

Medina and Alania had stellar seasons last year (and backed them up with decent track seasons too). Gregori's runners usually begin the season strong and fade a bit as the MoHi runners are coming on strong at league. Emmanuel and Adan Chavez were mid-year transfers into the RBK program. Their arrival vaults the Bruins into D4 contention yet again. Jeremy Hart and Daniel Yanez are the dark horses here. Hart seems to be reaching physical maturity. Genetics says that he has untapped potential (his father Benton Hart #3 AT StanCo 3200m 8:54). Yanez has giant shoes to fill for the Huskies, but Coach Bernard always has his runners well prepared and ready to compete.I believe that Yanez will prosper as literally the top dog (go Huskies!).

Lara

TEN MORE TO WATCH (again in no order)
JAVIER LARA, 12th, Turlock
JAMES DE LA O, 12th, Modesto
BEN SALDANA, 12th, Central Valley
NICK SANDERS, 12th, Gregori
INTEUS SCHIAVO, 10th, Downey
MICHAEL KEITH, 11th, Enochs
ISAIAH AGUILAR, 12th, Oakdale
ISAIAH AVILA-DE LA CRUZ, 12th, Modesto
RAMON BRAVO, 11th, Enochs
ERIK SOUSA, 12th, Turlock

Williams and Keith

Turlock has some solid veterans and will compete with Enochs for the 4th/5th best StanCo team (behind Gregori, Riverbank, and Modesto). The biggest question for the Enochs' runners is can they find a competitive rhythm after the loss of their coach. Schiavo is the rookie in the group. He placed 3rd in the MMC 3200m in track last year as a Frosh. He will need racing experience to reach his potential.