Stanislaus County Distance: 2023 XC PreSeason All StanCo (Girls Individuals and Team)

This is the second installment or the second half of the All StanCo Team. Far more than with the boys, new comers (usually frosh girls) crash the party and alter the credibility of my predictions. This season, for the first time ever, I am naming a frosh girl to the PreSeason team. As with the boys, injuries play a huge role. Additionally, more so than with the boys, each year some of the top girls just quit running...that is knowledge that I am just not privy to. What amazes me is that there are NO SENIORS in my top ten. One frosh and six sophs bodes well for the future of StanCo running.

MY TOP TEN

NATALIE ARRIAZA (Patterson) 10th--She was All StanCo (ASC) track in 23. After running F/S at the end of XC last year, she exploded during track and produced times of 5:26 and 11:22.

MAYA WOLFE (Modesto) 11th--She was ASC track in 22 and 23; and XC in 22. She is the top returning runner in the CCAL; and after qualifying for State last season, I know she will have even higher expectations this year. Her top times are 2:26, 5:24, and 11:33.

GISELLE FERNANDEZ (Riverbank) 10th--She was ASC track in 23. Like Arriaza, Giselle ran F/S during XC but found her stride in track producing times of 5:08 and 11:52. The 5:08 mark is #18 all-time. She will certainly challenge for the D4 SJS title and qualify for State.

ZOE LEACH (Downey) 11th--She was ASC track in 22 and 23; ASC XC in 21 and 22. Her top times are 2:31, 5:27, and 11:53.

BRADIE EVANS (Oakdale) 10th--This will be her first XC season, but she is immediately the favorite to win the VOL and will likely qualify for State in D3. Her top track marks are 2:29, 5:29, and 13:09.

AVERY CARLSON (Pitman) 10th--Avery's HS running career has been hampered by illness. But there is no doubt of her potential. She ran 5:39 and 12:41 in a very limited track season last year.

ADELYN PERSON (Pitman) 11th--She has produced very solid times meet in and meet out. She never seems to have a bad race. With the graduation of teammate Maci Day it is time for Adelyn to be the leader of the Pride. Her top marks are 2:30 and 5:37.

JYMENA NGUYEN MARQUEZ (Grace Davis) 10th--Jymena spent most of her frosh year injured. I have been told that she will no longer be participating with TRM which last year may have aggravated her injuries. Even with limited racing she still produced a 5:35 mark.

SOPHIE BENHAM (Hughson) 10th--She was ASC XC in 22. She produced times last season of 5:51 and 12:32

MAYA DAY (Turlock) 9th-- How does a brand new to HS runner make this list...well she ran 2:43 and 5:44 last year with little to no training. Maya is the sister of four time ASC member Maci Day. I have no doubt that with a full season of training she will be one of the top runners.

THE NEXT TEN

AUDRY SCOTT (Oakdale) 11th--best track mark is 12:54

AVERY JONES (Central Catholic) 10th--made ASC XC in 22. She is a sprinter during track so there are no distance marks to compare.

ELIANA GLORIA (Modesto) 10th--best track times are 2:33, 5:44, and 12:58. After a solid frosh year most of the Panther ladies graduated leaving a void that Eliana can help fill.

AUBREY LASCANO (Pitman) 12th--Her top track times are 2:33 and 5:40

AVA TORRES (Turlock) 12th-- best track times of 2:24 and 5:47. Really a 400/800 runner in track she has struggled at the longer XC distances. She was also injured for most of last year's XC season. There is no doubt that she is a competitor. If she gains some strength, she will be in the mix.

MELANIE RODRIGUEZ (Patterson) 10th--top track mark of 2:30. Melanie has been a bit overshadowed by her teammate Arriaza, but she is talented in her own right.

GABBY SANCHEZ (Central Catholic) 11th--top time of 12:58. Gabby was the Raiders' #6 or so runner last year. However throughout track she steadily improved.

LILLY EDGARTON (Turlock) 11th--best time of 13:00. I think the fact that Lilly focused on the 3200 in track, while many of her teammates ran shorter races, could transfer to an improved XC season

AVA CALANDRO (Oakdale) 11th--placed 9th for StanCo runners at last season's SubSect meet. Has suffered through some injuries. Had marks of 2:43 and 5:59