Those Amazingly Fast StanCo Ladies

One of the best things for me about covering Stanislaus County distance running is when individuals reach a level in an event that places them on one of the all-time lists. When that happens I know that I have witnessed something extraordinary. On the boys side there were some incredible marks produced over the past several years (mostly by Oakdale runners). But this post is about the remarkable ladies.

 

Previously, there had been a few years when one or two top girls had attacked the record book, but just before the shut down (2018-2019) there were four. Gregori's Briseida Garcia ranks #3 in the 1600 (4:56.15) and the 800 (2:12.01). Madison Kackley, also of Gregori ranks #2 in the 3200 (10:39.35) and #6 in the 1600 (4:58.52). Pitman's Mavleen Mann is #6 in the 3200 (10:55.98) and #8 in the 1600 (5:00.06). As if those three weren't enough, Oakdale's Kayden Legan ran 11:10.98 to rank #20 in the 3200. I might have said that this year (2018-19) was the pinnacle of StanCo distance running for the ladies...well that is until this year...

 

The 24-25 running year is working up to be remarkable. Over a 6 day span, Giselle Fernandez (Riverbank) produced a 4:55.51 in the 1600, which ranks as #2 all time AND a 10:45.13 in the 3200 which is the #3 mark. WOW! Additionally Patterson's Natalie Arriaza has run 5:06.92 (#18) and 10:46.42 which is #4 all time. Zoe Leach (Downey), who is the lone senior in this group, has run 5:09.13 in the 1600 (#22) and 11:00.89 in the 3200 (#9). AND THERE IS MORE...Turlock's super-frosh Elle Williams is racing up the list already having run 11:01.60 in the 3200 (#10) and 5:17.62 in the 1600. Avery Carlson of Pitman is finding her own blazing stride at 5:07.86 in the 1600 (#19) and 11:07.97 in the 3200 (#13)...That is five ladies currently climbing the all time lists, and the meat of the season has yet to arrive. The one unfortunate side-note is that, other than the three CCAL ladies, these girls rarely race head to head against each other. Even at this year's County meet, only 3 of the 5 raced. Although those three did all run the 1600, and it was an amazing battle, the other two sat out the meet entirely. 

 

Yet to come are Stanford, SMOC, Arcadia, league championships, divisionals, masters, and State. I am certain that these girls will be in the mix and more fast times are on the horizon. The anticipation of those races makes some of my long hours at those meets more than worthwhile. Viva La StanCo Senoritas. Go Ladies Go!