2022 XC PRESEASON ALL STANCO GIRLS

 

I have had varied success (or lack there of) with my preseason XC list over the years. Although I consider many factors, there are many others that are outside of my sphere of information. Last year eight of the boys on the preseason team were voted onto the list at the end of the season. On the girls' side it was seven out of the final ten. That may have been my best selection year ever. Some of the factors that are not predictable are injuries and very skilled new runners (Frosh) who suddenly leap to the top. Last season there were two Frosh girls and one Frosh boy who made the end of the season list. Additionally, injuries hampered the seasons of three of the preseason girls and one of the boys from last year.

Half of last year's girls' final team was comprised of seniors. That opens up a lot of room for others to move up. So there are some clear and obvious choices on the girl's' side and there are some educated guesses. I would also suspect that on the female side there will be at least one newbie/frosh who will be there at the end of the season (but I don't know her yet). 

 

Here is what I do know, my selections for the GIRLS PRESEASON ALL STANCO TEAM:

 

LEXIE GOMEZ (Gregori) 12th--made the All StanCo (ASC) XC lists in 2020 and 2021. She made the ASC track list in 2022. The end of track may have been the best she has ever run. Her top times were 2:26, 5:20, and 11:55. She has spent most of her career as a Jaguar in the shadows of others, but this season she needs to build on that 5:20 mark in her bid to qualify for the State meet.

 

KASSIDY FMURA (Oakdale) 12th--made the ASC XC list in 2021 and the ASC track list in 22. Her top track times were 5:33 and 11:51. With the graduation of her running partners (Humble and Norman), the Mustangs are now hers to lead.

MACI DAY (Pitman) 12th--made the ASC XC lists in 19, 20, and 21. She made the ASC track lists in 21 and 22. Her top track times were 2:30 and 5:22. Injuries have been the recent frustration for Maci. She also lost her running partner (Laska) to graduation. A healthy and focused Maci is a real threat to win the D2 SJS XC title.

ZOE LEACH (Downey) 10th--one of the Frosh-phenoms who made both the XC and track ASC lists last year. Her top track times were 2:31, 5:32, and 11:55. There was a bit of plateauing at the end of track, but I expect Zoe to be hot on the heals of Lexie and Maci throughout the CCAL XC season.

MAYA WOLFE (Modesto) 10th--she didn't run varsity during XC last season (which was a calculated decision) but made the ASC track team wiith times of 2:35, 5:51, and 11:47. To stay with Lexie, Maci, and Zoe in the CCAL meets she will need to grow quickly into her enormous potential.

 

CHLOE COOK (Gregori) 12th--made the ASC XC lists in 19, 20, and 21.  Her best XC season was her pre-COVID Frosh year. However last year she placed second in the CCAL Champ meet with a sub 20 min time. She may never match her success from her Frosh year but with serious training and attitude she could challenge for the CCAL title and a return trip to State. 

 

DAIZY GONZALEZ (Pitman) 10th--made ASC XC in 21 as a Frosh. She didn't run track. In XC last year she was 9th in CCAL and 36th at D2 SJS. As with Cook, with serious training and attitude the sky may be the limit for Daizy.

 

YELENA ORDONEZ (Beyer) 12th--In track she ran 2:37, 5:55, 12:26. Yelena was one of the top WAC runners as a Junior BUT injuries have been to recurring theme every season. If she can stay healthy she will top the WAC and challenge for a State berth.

DAYANARA RUVALCABA (Riverbank) 12th--her best track marks are 5:54 and 12:34. Like Yelena, Dayanara often seems to be injured. 

 

ADAMARI RON (Modesto) 12th--top track time was 2:36 which at face value would certainly not get her on to this list, however as an experienced senior I am expecting her to run workouts with Maya Wolfe and develop into the runner that her DNA always hinted that she could be. She was 1st team all CCAL last season.

OTHERS THAT I CONSIDERED

TAYLOR GRAY (Orestimba) 12th--5:56 in track tells me what she is capable of  BUT as a top athlete from a small school she competes in multiple sports most seasons. This means she may not be able to find the training time that making the next step in XC would require. However she will likely dominate the SAL.

AVA TORRES (Turlock) 11th--she ran an impressive 2:26 in track, but that is a lot shorter than the distance and training that XC will require. If she puts in the miles and develops further her competitive spirit could move her up the ladder in the CCAL.

SHAYLAN ROY WILLIAMS (Turlock) 11th--was primarily a sprinter in track but in XC she placed 2nd in D1 F/S subsections. Along with Ava if they worked together to mature as distance runners they could make some real noise over the next two years.

JOHANA DOMINGUEZ (Modesto) 12th--5:52 in track and 10th at the CCAL Championship last season.

MAGUIRE LIMA (Turlock) 10th--she never run a 3 mile varsity XC race and the 2 mile races last season weren't especially note-worthy. BUT she really came on at the end of track to produce a time of 2:32 and more importantly find some serious competitive spirit within herself. 

Did I miss someone? Probably. Comment below or message me and I am open to directing my attention toward others.