Final 2015 Team Rankings

It was pointed out to me today that I hadn't posted final team rankings. I had posted how the teams finished at both sections and subsections. In my mind that pretty much served as the final rankings...but I guess I hadn't stated it for all to read.

I whole-heartedly wish our local paper would compile these rankings as they do for football, basketball, and even volleyball; but it would seem, that will never happen. I do what I can to provide recognition for our StanCo hard working distance runners. However I know that the paper definitely reaches a larger audience than this blog.

So here we go...I'll start with the Ladies

The Hughson VGs at Sections photo credit--Anne Estevam

1. HUGHSON HUSKIES--as the only StanCo team to qualify for State they finished with a flurry. They began the season slowly and gained momentum as the season progressed. Their coach told me early on that he thought they would win Sections. I was not a believer. Well, they didn't win Sections, but they definitely convinced me that they were the best team when it counted the most. No matter how you score it (head to head, total time, invitational) they flat out beat all of the StanCo teams in the Section meet. They will lose two of their top 7 to graduation. #yesibelievenow

The Downey VGs at MMC 4 by Anwaar Bhatti

2. DOWNEY KNIGHTS--the repeat MMC Champs spent much of the season slugging it out with MoHi. No doubt the Knights were loaded with talent and should probably win the MMC  the next two years. They moved 2 of their top 7 to the F/S division for the final two meets, perhaps allowing the surging Huskies to slip past them in the Section Meet. They will lose three of their top 9 to graduation. #whattimeisit

MoHi girls at SubSects by Pam Young

3. MODESTO PANTHERS--Modesto won MMC 1 and MMC 2 to put pressure on the Knights for the MMC title. An injury to one of the Panther top 5 may have cost them the MMC title, but they still finished the season well placing 8th in D1 Sections. They will lose 4 of their top 7. #mohiwestside

The Bruins at Iolani Inv by Karen Beliera

4. RIVERBANK BRUINS--Riverbank began the season with some lofty goals that just didn't materialize. Their top two runners had fantastic seasons; but they struggled to find a solid and consistent 3,4,5 runners. In the end the surging Huskies blew by them to win the TVL title. They still placed an impressive 4th in the D4 SJS, a mere handful of seconds behind Modesto. #onceabruinalwaysabruin

Turlock VGs at the CCC Championships  by Yesenia Ramirez

5. TURLOCK BULLDOGS--Turlock won the CCC! They began the year having lost their top two runners from the previous year. As the season progressed, the young, talented team matured and definitely improved. They lose two of their top seven to graduation. #gobulldogs

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On to the boys...

3rd place D1 Panthers by Lucia Luis

1. MODESTO PANTHERS--Modesto swept through the MMC and placed third in the D1 Subsect and Section meets. They had an amazing balance of veteran leadership, youth, and incredible depth. They lose two runners to graduation.

The Hughson "Big Three"

2. HUGHSON HUSKIES--The Huskies finished the Section Meet with the second best overall time. Simply stated they saved their best for last. They finished behind RBK in the TVL and behind Gregori at Subs; but as I said, Hughson beat them both when it counted the most. They finished 5th in D4 Sect Meet. They lose two to graduation.

TVL Champion Bruins--by Greg Beliera

3. RIVERBANK BRUINS--The Bruins began the season with their sites focused on a berth in the State meet. They fought off a hard charging Husky team to retain the TVL title but faltered a bit over the final two meets. They still placed 8th in the D4 SJS. They will lose 6 of their top seven to graduation.

Gregori at Sects by Denise Rojel

4. GREGORI JAGUARS--The Jags struggled through much of the season. They had graduated all but one from last year's varsity squad, and that runner was injured for much of the season. The younger and newer runners lost the first couple of meets to Downey. As Downey lost some runners, the Jags gelled at the end of the season to place 2nd in the MMC and 9th in D1 SJS. They lose only one of their top 10 to graduation.

5. DOWNEY KNIGHTS--Downey lost two of their top seven at the end of the season. They moved their remaining top runner to F/S for the last two meets. The remaining veteran nucleus competed strongly to finish ahead of Turlock as the 5th StanCo team at Subs. They will lose five of their top 10 to graduation.