Runner Profile: Mavleen Mann

I haven't done a lot of these runner profiles. A couple of years ago I highlighted the achievements of Briseida Garcia (Gregori) and compared her best marks to some of StanCo's past female runners. My/StanCo's mission is to promote HS distance running in Stanislaus County...for all runners and not any particular runner. However, Mavleen Mann's (Pitman) improvement has been amazing and should serve an an inspiration to all runners.

the first pic I could find in my files of Mavleen from 2016 CCC Champ, 800m

Unlike some of the top (historically) StanCo ladies, Mavleen didn't begin as a star runner. According to Athletic.net, Mavleen didn't run XC her frosh year. In 9th grade track she focused on shorter sprint races. Her best 800m mark was 3:02.25. In my mind, that is not exactly a tell-tale sign of great races to come.

Mavleen placing 2nd in F/S at Hughson SuperCross

Her real introduction to distance running came the next year in XC (her 10th grade year). There were some flashes of becoming a solid young runner. She ran F/S all season and placed 2nd at Hughson SuperCross, 3rd at CCC #3 and 16th in F/S at SubSections. Her fastest 2mi time was 13:46 .

Mavleen breaking 12 min in the 3200m at CCC Champ

The big leap came in track of her Sophomore year. She started the season (Feb) with a 6:22 1600m. But from there the times would drop quickly. She placed 3rd in the StanCo meet in the 3200m (12:17). Ultimately she finished 20th at Section Masters in the 1600m in 5:32.98--her best 1600m time was 5:29.58. In the 3200m she placed 3rd at CCC Champ in 11:56.98. More importantly than any of the times; as the season progressed, I could see Mavleen's confidence grow. She began to believe that she could run with anyone. Did I mention that she broke 5:30 and 12:00 without wearing spikes?

Mavleen placing 11th at SJS, just missing a berth to State

As a Junior in XC she had risen to the level of some of the top ladies in the SJS. She placed 1st in the Varsity race at Hughson SuperCross, 3rd at the CCC Championship, and 11th at both D1 SubSections and Sections--narrowly missing a berth in the State meet.

Mavleen at Masters running 5:00 in the 1600m

In track of 11th grade continued to improve in leaps and bounds. She was the StanCo Champion in the 3200m. She placed 1st in both the 1600m and the 3200m at the CCC Championship meet. At SJS Masters she placed 6th in the 1600m at 5:00.66 (the #4 mark all time in Stanislaus County) and 9th in the 3200m at 10:55.98. This time ranks as #3 all-time in the County.

Now that you have caught up to the current stage of her story, I think you should go back and reread where it all began to truly appreciate the transformation that has occurred.  Mavleen's accomplishments and improvement should be an inspiration to every runner. --I know that it inspires me.