2018 PreSeason Team Rankings

Today  I start back to work...so I guess that is officially the end of summer for me. Many of you know that I attempted to note the top StanCo runners in a PreSeason StanCo write up. Now it is time for the teams.

Sometimes ranking the teams is even harder than  ranking the individuals for it depends on many parts all coming together. For most schools losing one of their top 5 runners/prospects can have a drastic effect on their season as a whole. So much of this is based on last year (both XC and track) and the preseason individual selections.

Quick story: when I was in HS, Fresno HS in the Central Section, there were no divisions. Everyone ran together, large and small schools. Anyway we were ranked #1 in the section after the second week. We had won the first two invitationals and things looked good. A couple injuries and some massive egos later...we didn't even qualify for the section meet.

The moral of the story: As with the individual listings this should not be the be all end all for any team...work hard, be humble, and listen to your coach. If this list sparks conversation or serves as a source of inspiration, then so be it.


PreSeason StanCo Girls' Team Rankings

1. Hughson Huskies--this team qualified for State last season and only lost one runner. I have been told that some of the top ladies haven't run much this season, but their talent and experience will be hard to match. This team should be led by All StanCo PreSeason picks Emily Fife, Elizette Ysais, and Kinsey Langley. They should be supported by Jessie Lawrence, Emely Herrera, and Frosh Taylor Scheuber

2. Gregori Jaguars--I think the Jags will easily win the CCAL if they can avoid injuries. They are led by PreSeason StanCo picks Madison Kackley and Briseida Garcia. Not far behind them is Eva Rodriguez. The rest of the supporting cast could include Morgan McKay, Kassy Rojas, Cassandra Contreras, and Itxel Mendez.

3. Modesto Panthers--I think the Lady Panthers will need someone at Gregori to be injured for them to have a chance at the league title. They'll be led by soph Noheli Ron. She should be supported by experienced runners Adele Dumars and Myrka Banuelos. The supporting cast could include Adelina Castellanos, Jessica Lobato, and Jennifer Peraza.

4. Downey Knights--The Lady Knights won the last 4 MMC titles. Their top runners have never lost a league meet, but they lost a ton of talent and depth to graduation. They will be led by PreSeason StanCo selections Katie Krieger and Alondra Cardoza. Behind them are Alyssa Castillo, Jacque Cardoza, and Jodi Bucklin.

5. Pitman Pride--The Lady Pride will be led by Mavleen Mann. She will compete for the section title. After that the runners are young and extremely inexperienced. Some of the emerging ladies could be Diana Olthof and Stefanie Rodriguez.

5. Turlock Bulldogs--The Lady Bulldogs will be led by Sofia Andres. She will be supported by Emily Ramirez and Cynthia Varela.


PreSeason StanCo Boys' Team Rankings 

1. Gregori Jaguars--the Jags lost 5 of their top 7 to graduation...but they still have some serious talent. Preseon StanCo selections Jack Duchala and Justin Thomas. They will be pushed by Spencer Jeppson, Jaxon Reeves, Carter Mannon, and Ian Torres. I'm not sure there is enough fire-power here to return to State, but they should be able to win the CCAL

2. Turlock Bulldogs--The Bulldogs will need to rely on their youth. Senior Uriel Alvarez has lots of experience but the best runners may be Gavin Valenzuela and Sergio Mazon.

3. Modesto Panthers--The Panthers will be led by PreSeason All StanCo selection Alan Gutierrez. Behind him is an experienced group including Cristian Silva, Oscar Portillo, and Gustavo Perez.

4. Pitman Pride--The Pride should grow into a very solid program this season but may struggle to gain traction in a balanced CCAL. PreSeason StanCo selection Jayson Martin should lead the way followed by experienced runner Jordan Tasho, Bryce VanAllen, and Jason England.

5. Hughson Huskies--The Hughson boys will be led by PreSeason Selection Austin Hoach and teammate Miguel Ramos. Behind them is a number of journeymen runners Murphy Phillips, Trace Huber, Dario Salinas, and David Magallanes.