StanCo PreSeason Boy's Team Rankings

Last week I took a shot at predicting some of the top individual male and female runners to take note of for the up-coming XC season.

Tonight I will aim for the top male teams (preseason team rankings in-other-words)

Alania and Cardenas will lead the Panthers

1. MODESTO--The Panthers of the west-side, Modesto is one of the largest of the StanCo schools. It also fields one of the largest XC teams. Blessed with quantity, quality, great tradition and consistent coaching, allows MoHi to field a solid team every year. This coming year, led by preseason picks Marc Alania and Orlando Cardenas, Modesto is my top pick. The supporting cast is the difference maker...they have DEPTH and then some. Luis and Jose Orendain, Cameron Duquette, Josue Perez, Hector Gonzalez, Graham and Aiden McAllister together give Modesto a pile of quality runners to lead them (and keep them) to the top.

Hart will lead the Jags

2. GREGORI--The Jags lost nearly their entire varsity squad to graduation. Two of the County's top runners (Jeremy Hart and Santiago Ruiz) should make Gregori dangerous (and keep MoHi honest in the MMC). The supporting cast is good too. Roman Franzia seems on the verge of the improvement that his team will need to truly challenge for a league title.

Yanez will lead the Huskies

3. HUGHSON--I am predicting that the Huskies will slip past RBK this season (it was a tough call). They will be led by Daniel Yanez, who could be the top "dog" in the TVL this year. Behind him I think they have more depth than RBK and that I believe could be the difference. Logan Seagle popped a 10:22 in track and is poised to leap into the big time. Carson Boice, Jayme Jackson, and a host of others should round out the field.

Paredez will lead the Bruins

4. RIVERBANK--The Bruins coax the best out of the athletes they have. I think that the team will be good but a bit thin this season. Ruben Paredez will challenge Yanez in the TVL. Diego Ruiz, Michael Rodriguez, Eric Wise are experienced varsity runners.

Schiavo will lead the Knights

5. DOWNEY--The Knights are a team on the rebound. They should easily place 3rd in the MMC and may have improved enough to challenge Gregori. The top runner Inteus Schiavo placed 5th in the MMC as a Soph in XC, but was injured for most of track. Healthy now, he could win the league. Hunter Casey won the MMC in the 800m and is a fierce competitor. The supporting cast will all have to improved from last year to move up the list.