Runners of the Week 3 and Up Coming Schedule of Races

RUNNERS OF WEEK 3
 

Santiago Ruiz at Lowell photo credit Steve Fuller

SANTIAGO RUIZ (Gregori) 12th--Santiago was the top StanCo finisher at Lowell Inv. He placed 8th in his section and was 16th overall out of 432 runners. He continues to get stronger and lead an improving group of younger Jag runners

Esmeralda Campos at Lowell. Photo credit to Steve Fuller

ESMERALDA CAMPOS (Hughson) 11th--Esmeralda placed 7th at TVL 1 and 38th at Lowell Inv. Her coach states that Esmeralda "had been struggling a bit with a calf strain the past couple of weeks that slowed her down in Reno. She was great yesterday, probably the best race I've seen her run." That was enough to sway my decision.

Honorable Mentions:
Brent Curiel (Pitman) didn't even run this week but really impressed me by cheering for and encouraging every single runner during the VB race at the Sierra Inv. Emily Fife (Hughson) placed 3rd at TVL #1 and 34th at Lowell. Elizette Ysias (Hughson) as a Frosh she has filled the crucial 5th runner spot for the Huskies. Tomas Virgen (Patterson) placed 10th at the Sierra Inv and was the first StanCo finisher. Kayden Legan (Oakdale) as a Frosh she placed 11th at the Sierra Inv VG division and was the 2nd StanCo finisher.


UP COMING SCHEDULE OF RACES
Wed 9/14 MMC1 (Legion Park, Modesto) competing StanCo teams are Grace Davis, Downey, Modesto, Johansen, Enochs, Beyer, and Gregori. What am I looking for? How far ahead of the rest of the league are the Downey girls? MoHi and Gregori may be the speed bumps between the Lady Knights and a third straight crown. On the boys' side MoHi is the team to beat with Gregori the team chasing them. Who will take the individual win? Mason Reeves (Gregori) by far had the best track season...can he carry that through to XC? Teammate Santiago Ruiz and a host of Mo Hi runners may have the last word on the issue.
Wed 9/14 CCC 1 (Buhach Colony HS, Atwater) competing StanCo teams are Turlock and Pitman. What am I looking for? Can the Turlock ladies repeat as CCC Champs without #2 runner Hope Salsig. On the boys' side are Eric Alvarez and David Bosquez (Turlock) ready to run with the top CCC boys. Can the Bulldogs hold of the upstart Pitman Pride boys?
Wed  9/14 VOL 1 (Eagal Lakes, Tracy) competing StanCo teams are Oakdale, and Central Catholic. What am I looking for? For the girls will Oakdale frosh phenom Karina Prado be able to hang with the girls from Sierra HS. Will the Oakdale boys be healthy enough to run to their potential and fight for the team title against VOL nemesis Sierra HS .
Wed 9/14 WAC Preseason (River Bluff Park, Ceres) competing StanCo teams are Ceres, Central Valley, and Patterson(?). What am I looking for? How will Andy Rojo (CV) fare against 2 time defending WAC champion Tomas Virgen (Patterson)?
Fri 9/16 Woodbridge Inv (Silver Lakes Sports Complex, Norco) competing StanCo team is Riverbank. What am I looking for? How will the Bruins handle the HUGE SoCal meet atmosphere?
Sat 9/17 Bret Harte Frogtown Inv (Calaveras County Fairgrounds) competing StanCo teams are Ceres, Central Valley, Central Catholic, Enochs, Johansen, Orestimba, Waterford. What am I looking for?
Sat 9/17 Mt Carmel Movin Shoes Invitational (Morely Field, San Diego) competing StanCo team is Modesto High. What am I looking for? How will the top MoHi runners compete against some serious competion
Sat 9/17 Josh Ruff Memorial Trojan Invite (Willow Hills, Folsom) competing StanCo teams are Hughson and Turlock Christian. What am I looking for? Hughson won't be running their top kids so not much of note here