2018 TRACK Distance Preview

returning StanCo champions M Reeves, Garcia, and Ruiz

In just under two weeks the 2018 track season begins for me with the running of the Pitman Distance Wars. As someone who is primarily photographing and covering distance runners, this meet is awesome as I don't have to sit through 30 heats of the 200m or move any hurdles...I do realize that some runners have already begun competing as is evident with the amazing 3000m time that Mavleen Mann (Pitman) threw down this past Saturday--more on that in a minute. This article is my attempt to preview some of the top returning distance runners based on the 2017 XC season and last year's track season. If I miss someone I am sure that you will let me know...

TOP RETURNING BOYS

SANTIAGO RUIZ--12th (Gregori)--the top StanCo XC runner is the top track returner as well. His top times last season were 2:01, 4:25, and 9:23(#11 all-time StanCo). Given the right racing conditions this season, I think he could go sub 9:15 in the 3200m.

MASON REEVES--12th (Gregori)--the other half of the "Thunder and Lightning" duo, Mason is never far behind (or even in front) of Santi. Best times from last season were 4:32 and 9:29 (#14 all-time StanCo).

ANTHONY VAZQUEZ--12th (Central Catholic)--with such a small track team Anthony is a work-horse for the Raiders often tripling in dual meets. Over the course of the season I think this drains him compared to athletes from other schools. Given all that he was one of only two StanCo boys who broke 2 min in the 800m last season. I am sure that he has his sights on a sub 1:55 this season. Top marks from last season were 1:57, 4:34, 10:50.

JOSUE PEREZ--12th (Modesto)--with a top mark of 10:02 the initial and obvious goal has to be to break 10 in the 3200m. Once that monkey is off of his back I think he could break 9:40 if he can keep both of his shoes on.

MOISES BENAVIDES--12th (Downey)--After qualifying for the State meet in XC it would seem that his track best on 10:06 should be easily beaten. As a former 2 miler I know that the 10 min standard can be more of a mental than a physical barrier. Once he breaks through, I look for his PRs to dramatically drop.

MATTHEW MARSH--12th (Grgeori)--throughout his 4 years Matt has had two running issues: 1. he is often injured 2. he is over-looked in the shadow of Santi and Mason. Well if he can stay healthy Matt is a real talent. His best times of 2:02 and 10:35 indicate his diversity. He will likely focus on the shorter races (with teammates in the longer ones); I think breaking 2 min in the 800m or 4:30 in the 1600m  is not out of the realm of possibility.

BRENT CURIEL--12th (Pitman)--okay Brent didn't run XC this past Fall. Will that hamper him in track? I don't know. His bests of 2:07, 4:40, and especially 10:05 place him on this list. After watching Brent for three years, what I do know is that he has the best kick of anyone on this list. So if he can stay in contention, he will out-race anyone to the line.

HUNTER REEVES--12th (Gregori)--the often overlooked Reeves brother has "game" of his own. His best of 10:08 puts him in the mix with Perez, Benavides, and Curiel to break the 10 min barrier--is anyone else excited about the 3200m race at this years' County meet?

RYAN WEIDMAN--11th (Enochs)--with a 10:18 best in the 3200m last season, Ryan has huge talent but was a bit inconsistent in XC. This season is his opportunity to ride the coat-tails of some fast seniors to a sub-10 mark of his own.

ALAN GUTIERREZ--11th (Modesto)--like Marsh, Alan has had his share of injuries. Times of 2:07 and 4:40 AND a serious competitive spirit mean that Alan should never be counted out of any race.

A FEW OTHERS TO WATCH
JACK DUCHALA--10th (Grgeori)--injured last season but he has the raw speed and determination to run 2 flat in the 800m and win the MMC (but he will have to get past team-mate Marsh)
SEBASTIAN CRONKITE--12th (Gregori)--with a 10:24 in the 3200m he has the potential to be swept along with the pack to produce a big PR this season.
CADE MIDDAUGH--12th (Oakdale)--injuries and nerves have been the bane of this young runner. His best last season of 10:23 shows the potential and promise.


TOP RETURNING GIRLS
Compared to the boys, this is a younger and more diverse list.

BRISEIDA GARCIA--11th (Gregori)--although she was injured for almost all of the XC season, I expect Briseida to bounce back this track season. She owns a best of 2:14 (#5 all-time StanCo) in the 800m but last season her top times were 2:16 and 5:18. It will take a mark of about 2:12 to reach State which I know has been her ultimate goal.

MAVELEEN MANN--11th (Pitman)--already having run a 11:27 equivalent 3200m time (a 30 sec improvement from last season), Mav is definitely ready for track! It will take a time of 11:16 to make the all-time StanCo list-just to give her something to shoot for.

EMILY FIFE--11th (Hughson)--Emily may be one of the nicest and most humble people I have ever met, but don't discount or underestimate her competitive nature. Track bests of 2:26, 5:14, and 11:49 illustrate my point. 5:09 gets her on the all-time StanCo list.

ESMERALDA CAMPOS--12th (Hughson)--A true competitor, Esmeralda is a durable work-horse for the Huskies. She had track bests of 5:29 and 11:48 last season. I think she could go low 11:30s if she were allowed to focus only on the 3200m.

ALONDRA HERNANDEZ--12th (Riverbank)--Injuries have also been the issue for Alondra. Last season she had her best race ever at Bronco Distance Carnival where she exploded to a 5:16 1600m. Can a healthy Alondra go 5:10ish this season--that would certainly be exciting to watch!

ELIZETTE YSIAS--10th (Hughson)--the third Husky here should not be over-looked. Elizette ran 5:40 and 12:02 as a Frosh. Certainly she will go sub 12 this season and give her teammates a real challenge.

MADISON KACKLEY--9th (Gregori)--with only her Frosh XC season under her belt, it may be surprising that I have her on this list...well she was arguably the top XC runner so how could she not be listed here? I think she is capable of 5:20, 11:30 times this season if she takes it seriously and stays healthy.

KAYDEN LEGAN--10th (Oakdale)--in her rookie track season she ran 5:40 and 12:20 and then disappeared. I think she was injured, but I'm not sure. With a healthy full season of track she should go under 12 min in the 3200m.

MAKEALYN BICKEL--12th (Downey)--with 4 TD runners with such similar times one might ask why Makaelyn gets the nod ahead of the others...honestly I think she is the toughest competitor. She missed most of track last season. Her best times are 5:44 and 12:27, but I think she could be the first Knight to go under 12 for the 3200m since 2011.

KINSEY LANGLEY--11th (Hughson)--injured for most of track and ill for most of XC, Kinsey has rarely competed this past year. However she was the County champ at 11:59 in the 3200m which shows what she can do when healthy and fit.

A PILE OF OTHERS TO WATCH
MACIE ERICKSEN--12th (Turlock)--she ran 12:35 for 3200m in the County meet and then was injured for the rest of the season.
KATIE KRIEGER--11th (Downey)--bests of 5:46 and 12:25 last season

ALONDRA CARDOZA--10th (Downey)--best last season of 5:46
ESMERALDA AGUAYO--12th (Downey)--bests last season of 5:43 and 12:28
KASSY ROJAS--11th (Gregori)--primarily a 400m runner last year she moved up to the 800m and produced an impressive 2:25.
BIANCA GARCIA--12th (Pitman)--her PR last season of 2:27 was a Pitman school record.
EVA RODRIGUEZ--11th (Gregori)--bests of 2:29 and 5:57, but I think she was looking at moving up to the 3200m this season.
MIKAYLA PERRY--12th (Pitman)--bests of 5:40 and 12:42
HOPE SALSIG--12th (Turlock)--more injuries have meant very few track races from Hope. After completing a full XC season I think she could run in the 2:27 vicinity to easily best her 2:31 800m from 2 seasons ago