PreSeason All StanCo Girls' Team

As the calendar turns fro July to August back-to-school shopping moves into high gear, teachers (like myself) lament the passing of vacation, and XC practice begins to ramp up. Every year I write that it is a time of great anticipation of what may or may not come to fruition. Will those summer miles pay off in faster times? Have past injuries heeled? Who will lead this year's squad?...This year brings another huge question...How will the new leagues affect the end of the season results?

As in past years I have plowed through past results and compiled my thoughts on the top ladies in the County in this article. I am not a fortune teller. I make the best predictions with the knowledge that I have available. If you believe I am in error, please comment below and enlighten me.

My final opening thought is a disclaimer that making this list is no substitute for hard work. Be humble. If making or not making this list serves as an incentive to work harder, then I have done my job.

I will begin with the ladies. There are several returning performers who have already made a name for themselves by making prior All StanCo track and/or XC lists (noted in the write up).

PRESEASON FIRST TEAM ALL STANCO

MAVLEEN MANN (Pitman) 12th--All StanCo XC 2017; All StanCo Track 2017 +18. The top StanCo returning female. She has already been noted on the SJS PreSeason top 10 list. Her top times last track season were 2:23/5:00/10:55. Her 1600m time ranks as #4 all-time StanCo. Her 3200m time ranks as #3 all-time StanCo. She placed 11th at SJS D1 in 18:40 just missing the D1 State meet.

MADISON KACKLEY (Gregori) 10th--All StanCo XC 2017; All StanCo Track 2018.  She too has already been noted on the SJS PreSeason top 10 list. Her top times last track season were 2:28/5:01. Her 1600m time ranks as the #6 all-time StanCo. She was undefeated in MMC XC competition last season. This season It will be fun to watch her go head to head against Mavleen in the CCAL.

BRISEIDA GARCIA (Gregori) 12th--All StanCo XC 2016; All StanCo Track 2017 +2018. Her top times last track season were 2:15/5:18/11:33. Her best 800m time ranks as #5 all-time StanCo. She spent much of last season's XC and track season injured. Once healthy I expect her to reclaim her place as one of the top competitors in the SJS.

KAYDEN LEGAN (Oakdale) 11th--All StanCo XC 2017; All StanCo Track 2018. Her top times last track season were 2:24/5:18/11:14. Her best 3200m ranks as #15 all-time StanCo. In XC she placed 20th in D3 SJS in 20:42. With only two StanCo teams in the VOL, Kayden is off the radar of most StanCo athletes, but Kayden is a real-deal competitor.

EMILY FIFE (Hughson) 12th--All StanCo XC 2015, 2016, + 2017; All StanCo Track 2017 + 2018. Her top times last track season were 2:24/5:11. In XC she placed 8th in D4 SJS in 20:23. Emily is the most decorated athlete on this list having made 5 previous StanCo end of season lists, but I suspect her main goal for this season will be to get her team to the State meet.

ELIZETTE YSAIS (Hughson) 11th--All StanCo XC 2017; All StanCo Track 2018. Her top times last track season were 5:39/11:58. In XC she won TVL finals and placed 7th in D4 SJS finals in 20:20.

KINSEY LANGLEY (Hughson) 12th--All StanCo XC 2015. Her top times last track season were 5:49/12:08. Though often injured Kinsey is a real talent as reflected in her XC D4 SJS place of 28th in 20:54

ALONDRA CARDOZA (Downey) 11th--All StanCo XC 2017. Her top time last track season was 5:42. In XC she placed 26th in the D2 SJS in 20:41

SOFIA ANDRES (Turlock) 12th--Her top times last track season were 2:28/5:28/12:29. As the top returning Lady Bulldog she will be challenged to compete at the highest levels in the new CCAL.

KATIE KRIEGER (Downey) 12th--Her top times last track season were 5:34/12:12. In XC she placed 38th in D2 SJS in 21:08. Both Krieger and Cardoza hold the hopes of the Lady Knights who won the past 4 MMC titles as they move into the CCAL.

________________________________________________________________

The best of the rest:

EVA RODRIGUEZ (Gregori) 12th--Her top times last track season were 2:26/5:39/12:15. As Gregori's #3 runner her performance will be key in Gregori's hopes for a CCAL title

MYRKA BANUELAS (Modesto) 12th--Her top times last track season were 2:34. Myrka began XC last season very strong and then faded a bit. The Lady Panthers will need her senior leadership to challenge in the CCAL.

JESSIE LAWRENCE (Hughson) 12th--Her top time last track season was 2:29. As the #4 Husky on the list Jessie will have to be more consistent for the Hughson ladies to return to the State meet.

NOHELI RON (Modesto) 10th--Her top time last track season was 5:32. For a frosh, normally learning her limits and the sport that time is great and holds huge potential for this season and the future.

CYNTHIA VARELA (Turlock) 10th--Her top times last track season were 5:47/13:15. Her sister was a StanCo star. If Cynthia continues to develop in the CCAL she may be too.

ZEBA AHMAD (Enochs) 12th--Her top times last track season were 2:37/5:41/13:39. Zeba may be ready to enter the elite level of the new CCAL

ADELE DUMARS (Modesto) 12th--Her top time last track season was 12:39. I think last year she was battling through some injuries. MHS will need a solid contribution from her this season.

JAECELYN ROMERO (Waterford) 11th--Her top times last track season were 5:52/12:54. Competing in the SAL Jaecelyn and Maddie Tree know each other well. Beyond that rivalry each will need to stay healthy to qualify for the D5 State meet (again)

YARA ANDUJO VELEZ (Grace Davis) 12th--Her top times last track season were 6:05/12:54. After spending most of the track season occupied with the TRM program Yara still managed some descent marks. She was solid in last season's MMC XC competition which will help prepare her for the much weaker WAC season.

MADELINE TREE (Orestimba) 12th--Her top times last track season were 2:38/5:52/12:25. At the end of the track season it seemed to me that Maddie took a huge leap forward with her 12:25 3200m time. However in the SAL it is just her and Jaecelyn at the top level and racing someone head-to-head is different than racing in a large field.

DESTINY SUAREZ (Ceres) 12th--Her top time last track season was 5:45. Now that the WAC has been reorganized it is really the great unknow of who will rise to the top. But if Destiny put in the miles over the summer she would have a head start on many of her competitors.

DIANA OLTHOF (Pitman) 10th--Her top times last track season were 6:01/12:54. With the move to the CCAL and a year of racing under her belt she may be ready to compete at a higher level

MOMO LEADON (Central Catholic) 11th--Her top times last track season were 5:53/12:52. Momo has improved steadily but will pretty big improvement to make it to the D5 State meet.