For that past several years I have attempted to name a preseason All StanCo XC team. I looked back over the past 5 years and honestly my track record isn't too great. Last year I only picked 4 of the 10 boys that eventually made the end of the season team. For the last five years, I am 33/50 for the boys. I do pour over results for the previous year's XC and track seasons, but there are unpredictable variables that have been my undoing. INJURIES might be the biggest factor. But I base much of my predictions on last spring's track season, and some kids just run better either in XC or track. Some schools even have different coaches for the two seasons...Given all of that I am still going to give this a shot, but first my disclaimer:
Making this list gets you nothing. If it inspires you then GREAT! But don't rest on these laurels. If you didn't make the list maybe that will inspire you too. Listen to your coach and work hard. There is no substitute for putting in long, quality miles with your team. The only awards that count come at the end of the season. Best of luck to everyone whether I mentioned your name or not.
I am starting with the boys for no particular reason. Four of them made the final StanCo team last year. They automatically make the Preseason team
JACK DUCHALA--12th Gregori. Made the final team in 2018 and 2107. No boy has made the list for four years since I began doing it, but Jack could make it for three! In track he ran 4:31 in the 1600m. In XC last season he was 5th at CCAL 3, 2nd best StanCo at Subs, and 4th StanCo at SJS.
AIDAN WELLS--12th Gregori. Made the final team in 2018. In track he ran 10:28 for the 3200m. In XC he was 10th at CCAL 3, 14th StanCo at Subs, and 5th at SJS. It was his impressive Sections race that propelled him on to the final All StanCo team.
JOEL CARDOZA--12th Downey. Made the 2018 final team. Ran 4:42/10:15 in track. In XC he was 4th at CCAL 3, 7th StanCo at Subs, and 15th at SJS.
JONATHAN STALEY--12th Waterford. Made the 2018 team. Ran 4:42/10:16 in track. He was 1st at SAL 3, 7th at SJS
Those were the returning team members. Here is the rest of my projected team:
JAYSON MARTIN--12th Pitman. Times from track 1:55/4:28/10:21 easily makes Jayson the top returning runner BUT he is frequently injured. I selected him for this team last XC season and he spent the whole season recovering from a injury and just jogged through the races he did run. Yes he is hurt again after an extended track season. Last I heard is that he may not even run XC at all. So why select him? Well if he did run to his abilities, I believe that he has the best chance of any D1 or D2 StanCo boy of qualifying for State.
ERIC HERNANDEZ--11th Turlock. In track he was the only returning StanCo boy to break 10 in the 3200m. His times were 4:38/9:59. He qualified for Sect Masters. In XC he under-performed last season. Hopefully track has taught him that he can run with any one in the area
.
DAMIAN GARCIA--10th Pitman. He was not even a varsity athlete for most of last year's XC season, but boy did he grow and find himself during track. 4:39/10:00, qualified for Sect Masters. Hopefully he will carry that confidence into XC.
CHRISTIAN BALDERAS--11th Pitman. He ran the past two season at Central Valley. He transferred to Pitman this year. He was the StanCo 3200m champ in track. He ran 4:45/10:02. He probably should have made the All StanCo team last year but had the disadvantage of competing in D2 (the toughest division last year). He had a slightly off day at Subs and didn't qualify for SJS. Most of the voters didn't consider him after that. After transferring he will have to sit out the early portion of the season, but will be able to run in all of the important meets at the end of the season.
BRODY VECCHIONE 10th Turlock. He had a descent XC season considering he was a Frosh. He was the 15th StanCo runner at Subs (probably his best race of the season). In track he ran 4:40/10:24. He needs to gain some confidence to match his potential.
DARIO SALINAS--11th Hughson. He emerged as a top runner at Hughson and in the TVL by placing 3rd at TVL 3. He also was the 5th StanCo runner at Subs. He was injured for almost the whole track season though. With the top seniors gone at Hughson, he now needs to step up to be one of the leaders of his team.
Well that is 10...the ten I chose for the PreSeason StanCo team. There are several others very worthy of being mentioned...
RAMON ROSAS--12th Riverbank. Flashed some huge potential as a Soph. Has suffered through some injuries. Ran 10:31 in track and was 8th at last year's TVL 3.
JUSTIN CLAYPOOL--10th Enochs. Finished 15th at CCAL 3 as a Frosh. 10:37 in track
EFREN SANCHEZ--10th Pitman. The 4th Pitman runner mentioned here. Ran F/S last season. Started slowly in track but really came on at the end of the season, 10:37 in track
MICHAEL MORRETT--12th Hughson. 10:40 in track
JASON SCHLENKER--11th Modesto. 4:44/10:47 in track
GAVIN VALENZUELA--11th Turlock. 2:04/4:44 in track shows some big talent. What he needs is some confidence that he can succeed over a 3 mi race.
GONZALO RIVERA--11th Ceres. ran 4:44 in track
ADONIS RON--12th Modesto. Ran 4:45 in track. Was 13th for StanCo at last year's Subs. If he assumes the leadership role for the Panthers, his confidence and times may improve.
MARIO JAUREGUI--12th Central Catholic. finished 12th in VOL in XC. 2:01 in 800m in track.
BRONSON BICKEL--10th Downey. Hasn't raced a 3mi yet but 800m time of 2:04.
MATT MOLTHEN--12th Downey. 21st StanCo runner at last year's Subs.
TANNER CUSANO--11th Oakdale. He was injured most of last year. Placed 8th at the VOL Championship and was 22nd for StanCo at Subs.
No comments:
Post a Comment