PREVIEW OF CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

This is my preview of the various league championship meets coming up this week. The meets I have covered include 22 StanCo teams (just in case you were wondering just how many teams/schools are there in the County). Following these meets all teams will be headed to the Sub-Section meet that is at Calaveras County Fairgrounds near Angels camp on Saturday 11/5. The top ten teams in each division will qualify for the SJ Sestion meet at Folsom HS on Saturday, 11/12. If you don't agree with something I said, please let me know (I don't pretend to be all-knowing : )).

WED 10/26 CCC CHAMPIONSHIP, APPLEGATE PARK, MERCED 3MI
Competing StanCo teams are Turlock and Pitman.

Turlock Ladies after CCC 1--photo credit Jessica Lopez

 What is the team competition story? On the VG side this is the "rubber match" between Turlock who won CCC 1 and Merced who won CCC 2. Earlier in the season Merced had no real #5 runner. Now with 5 strong, Merced is definitely the favorite. The Turlock girls also have four strong runners but have clearly missed the injured Hope Salsig this season.
On the VB side Buhach Colony won CCC 2 but were just edged by Atwater in the Merced County Championship. The team race is between those two with Turlock vying for third against Merced.

Bosquez at Artichoke

What do I predict with the VBs? For Turlock's David Bosquez, this is his last CCC meet and he will have to run all-out to crack the top 4. The top two competitors are Jose Prado of Buhach Colony and John Hagerman of Merced. Given that this meet is in Merced I will give Hagerman the edge.

Hagerman, Colon, and Varela at CCC1--photo credit Shannon Tate Mardakis

What do I expect in the VG race? The top runner all season has been Quinn Hagerman (Merced). Two of her team-mates are close behind, Ciara Colon and Jackie Aleman. This is where the top Turlock Ladies enter the mix. For Turlock to win the team title, Maria Varela and Adelae Fredeen will have to beat Aleman.

WED 10/26 TVL CHAMPIONSHIP, LEGION PARK, MODESTO 5K
Competing StanCo teams are Riverbank and Hughson (and Modesto Christian who is not fielding a team this season)

Fife, Langley, and Mitchell lead a strong Hughson squad

What is the team competition story? It is all about Hughson on both the girls' and boys' sides. They have the faster runners and more depth than the rest of the TVL. However with little to push for and tougher races in the future, the real question is how hard will the Huskies even run?

Hugh pack at TVL 1

What do I predict with the VBs? If the Hughson boys push the issue they will put 5 in the top 8 (easily). Individually (again if they push for it) the title will be between Christian Lee, Carson Boice, and Josue Esquivel. If they coast through much of the race, Escalon's Eduardo Calderon could steal the title.

Abigayle Mitchell

What do I expect in the VG race? Again this race is all Hughson. Abi Mitchell will be competing in her final TVL race. I think she will push for the win. Her teammate, Emily Fife is probably the better runner; but Abi is one tough young lady. Kinsey Langley, also of Hughson, will be right there. Kayla Jacklich (Ripon) is the only one who could possibly break up the one-two-three finish.

WED 10/26 VOL CHAMPIONSHIP, EAGAL LAKE, TRACY 5K
Competing StanCo teams are Central Catholic and Oakdale.

CC's Vazquez is the top StanCo VOL boy

What is the team competition story? On the VB side Sierra is a huge favorite. In fact they will challenge for a spot to State. The real race is for second between Oakdale and Weston Ranch. Oakdale has been far too passive all season. They get off the line very slowly. Yes they do move up throughout the race but it is often too late. Ben Miller could have been the top runner they are lacking, but I suspect that he is once again injured. On the girls' side Sierra barely won VOL 1, and Oakdale barely won VOL 2. It will be a close one to be sure. Both teams should clear Sub-Sections and move to the Section meet. So who do I think has the edge at VOL? I think that Sierra has an edge over this particular course, but since it will be scored like an invitational other teams such as Kimball will be a big factor.

Huerta leading Hurtado at VOL 2

What do I predict with the VBs?The upfront battle is between Tomas Hureta (Weston Ranch), Sierra teammates Jesse Hurtado and Arish Balasukramaniam, and Anthony Vazquez of Central Catholic. This is Vazquez' first XC season and he is producing a strong effort. However his last outing at Bronco was definitely an off day. Oakdale will be lucky if Justin Crescenti cracks the top 10.

Prado, Oblin, followed by Carrillo at VOL 2

What do I expect in the VG race? Megin Oblin (Sierra) has to be the favorite, but she will be pushed by Karina Pardo of Oakdale and Iris Carrillo of Weston Ranch.

WED 10/26 WAC CHAMPIONSHIP, RIVER BLUFF PARK, CERES
Competing StanCo teams are Patterson, Ceres and Central Valley.

Suarez of Ceres competing at Hughson Supercross

What is the team competition story? I believe that Los Banos won both the boys' and girls' dual meet titles. They have to be the favorite. Patterson and Livingston could also challenge on the male side. For the ladies Livingston, Ceres and Patterson will be factors.

Virgen is a huge favorite

What do I predict with the VBs? This race is all about Tomas Virgen of Patterson and how big will the gap be between him and the second runner? That second runner is likely to be Chase Jensen of LB. Ceres' top runners is Haaydn Martinez who could be about 5th.

Ventura and Ibarra will lead the Tigers

What do I expect in the VG race? LB has a trio of top ladies (Mikayla Akers, Leslie Hernandez, and Alyssa Catalin). They will certainly be in the top 5. Patterson's top two (Marilyn Ventura and Desirae Ibarra) will contend. Alma Reyes of Livingston will be in the mix. Ceres' top female is Destany Suarez, who could upset the party over her home course but she will need a big PR to do so.

THUR 10/27 SAL CHAMPIONSHIP, LEGION PARK, MODESTO 5K
Competing StanCo teams are Waterford, Denair, and Orestimba.
What is the team competition story? For the boys the team story is all about Delhi. They will easily crush the rest of the SAL. On the girls' side it is less clear. Waterford edged Orestimba by a point in SAL 2. So it will be close.

Vasquez and Hagood will lead Delhi

What do I predict with the VBs? It is again all about Delhi. Andrew Vasquez and Brenden Hagood will push each other to the title.

Romero could sweep the SAL in her Frosh season

What do I expect in the VG race? Jaecelyn Romero (Waterford) took SAL 1 and 2 but has lost to Itzi Segundo (Orestimba) in her last two invitationals. Consequenly I expect the finish to be close.

THUR 10/27 CCAA CHAMPIONSHIP, EAGAL LAKE, TRACY 5K
Competing StanCo teams would be Turlock Christian and Big Valley Christian (However I don't think that Big Valley has a team this year.)

Getting info/league results for these teams is difficult. But here is what I do know:

Mark and Lund trailing  Curiel of Pitman earlier in the season

I believe that SS Lund and Mason Mark are TC's top male runners and maybe the best in the CCAA.

DeLaMotte at Jaguar Inv earlier in the season

Kaylee DeLaMotte (Turlock Christian) is the top female in the CCAA.

FRI 10/28 MMC CHAMPIONSHIP, LEGION PARK, MODESTO 3MI
Competing StanCo teams are Beyer, Davis, Downey, Enochs, Johansen, Gregori, and Modesto.

What is the team competition story? Well the team titles are pretty locked up with the Gregori boys and the Downey girls sweeping the first three MMC Clusters. On the boys' side Modesto has been edged in each of the meets. With All-MMC status on the line the Panther boys will be charging hard. With the top 15 earning All-MMC both Modesto and Gregori are likely to put 6 runners each on that team. For the girls the only real question is if Downey can put eight (or more) in the top 15.

Ruiz and Reeves with Perez lurking between the two at MMC 2

What do I predict with the VBs? Santiago Ruiz (Gregori) won all three of the Clusters. The strongest challenges will come from teammate Mason Reeves, Josue Perez (Modesto) and Moises Benavides (Downey).

Garcia leads Perillo, Aguayo, and Perez at MMC 2

What do I expect in the VG race? Briseida Garcia (Gregori) won MMC 1 and #. Aryana Perillo (Modesto) took MMC 2. Garcia has the best speed and I am still looking for her to take the title. Hilda Perez (Modesto), and Makaelyn Bickel and Esmeralda Aguayo both of Downey will push the pace.