League Championship Eve

The push of the championship segment of the XC season hits with full force tomorrow afternoon. StanCo teams will be vying for league titles, all-league team status, and personal bragging rights. It is like Christmas Eve for cross-country geeks, like me. Unfortunately (for me) 4 of the 5 conference meets will be held tomorrow; and obviously, I can't possibly be in four places at once.

TVL
The TVL schools will meet Wednesday at 3pm at Legion Park. Riverbank, Hughson, Orestimba, Waterford, and Modesto Christian are the StanCo schools competing.

Ruvalcaba and Garcia lead the Bruin attack

For the girls it is all about RBK. The Lady Bruins won the two previous cluster meets--easily. Individually Kim Ruvalcaba (Riverbank) won both the previous meet and is having a breakout year. Behind her Ellie Waters (Ripon) and Sabrina Garcia (Riverbank) will battle for the runner-up position.

Norling battles the Chavez twins

For the boys Riverbank took the opener, but it was the upstart Hughson Huskies edging them in the second meet. Consequently this meet will be the decider of the TVL title. Individually Adan Chavez (Riverbank)  has had a fantastic season. Alex Norling (Ripon) seems to be gaining fitness and confidence as the season progresses.

WAC
The WAC schools will meet on Wednesday at Ceres Regional Park on Hatch. Patterson, Ceres and Central Valley will represent the StanCo schools.

Lupe Ventura

For the girls I believe that Lupe Ventura (Patterson) is rounding into better fitness and should literally run away with the title.

Honestly, since these school still run head to head dual meets (with little of the results posted online) it is difficult for me to predict much more regarding the possible outcomes from this meet--but I do look forward to seeing some results.

CCC
The CCC schools will compete at Donnelly Park in Turlock on Wednesday. I believe that the first race begins at 10 AM. Turlock and Pitman are the only two StanCo schools.

Lara Chavez

For the girls Turlock has been stalking the Atwater Falcons all season. Atwater swarmed the completion in the first cluster, but the Bulldogs fell just a couple of points short in the second cluster. On their home course, Turlock may have the edge. Individually, Arianna Lara Chavez (Turlock)should be in the top 3 if not the winning position. Their title hopes will rest with the re-emerging Makenzie Salyer and the rest of the Turlock pack.

On the boys side it is all about the duel between Atwater and Merced. Merced has potentially the three top individuals, but Atwater will likely take five of the next seven or eight spots. The head to head battle has been very close all season. Turlock has been a distant third through most of the season.

VOL
The VOL schools will meet Wednesday at Eagle Lakes in Tracy. Oakdale and Central Catholic are the represented StanCo school.

For the girls Sierra has dominated the team competition. Individually the Sierra runners have swamped the other teams.

Oakdale's Aguilar

On the boy's side Manteca is the odds on favorite to take the team title. Individually Isaiah Aguilar (Oakdale) has finished second in both of the cluster meets.

MMC
The MMC schools are the odd-balls of the group and will hold their championship on FRIDAY (not Wednesday). The first race begins at 2:30 and hopefully the rain will hold off until after the meet is over.

The Lady Knights

For the girls it is all about the Knights. Downey will win their first ever varsity MMC team title on Friday. I believe that their last league title (from the CCC) was in 1992--that is 22 years ago! The 2014 version has completely dominated the MMC, winning all three cluster meets by huge margins.

Names and Mendoza

Individually Arielle Names (Downey) has won all three clusters with Savannah Mendoza (Modesto) finishing second. Behind them have been a horde of Downey baby-blue.

The MMC boy's pack of mostly Modesto and Gregori

On the boy's side Modesto has the title locked up, but I won't be surprised if Gregori places first on Wednesday--it will certainly be close as it has been all season. Individually Mario Media (Gregori) won all three clusters. The real race is behind him between Anthony Arauza (Gregori), Jeremy Hart (Gregori), Marc Alania (Modesto), Isaiah Avila DelaCruz (Modesto), Orlando Cardenas (Modesto), and Andrew Williams (Modesto)...to name a few in the running. As always it should be exciting to watch!