2025 XC StanCo PreSeason Boys

Every year I attempt to pick an All StanCo team prior to the beginning of the season. And every year by the end of the season it comes to light that some of my selections were spot on and others definitely missed the mark. The biggest factor in my missed selections is injuries...hopefully it is obvious that I can not predict that. I also rely heavily on times from the previous track season (especially from the 3200m),  and some athletes just do better in track than XC (or vice versa). And finally I rely on my eyes and my gut. I have seen all of the runners many, many times and I have hunches about who is ready to breakout. Anyway here we go...you may notice I am supplying a lot of opinion here. I am not reporting times from a race. I am predicting and trying to explain my predictions. If you don't agree with what I've said, please go out, run fast and prove me wrong. Surprising results always make my smile. 

 

THE TOP TEN 

LARSON WEJMAR 12th (Turlock)--with the relocation out of the are of Oakdale's Parker Whitemyer, Larson is the top returning runner. His top XC times are 16:26 at Willow Hills and 15:54 at Woodward Park. On the track he ran 9:24, 4:27, and 2:03. He made the 2024 All StanCo XC team and the 

24 and 25 All StanCo track teams.

 

HAYES TERRY 12th (Beyer)--winning WAC and leading the Patriots to their third straight trip to State has to be the goal this season. Hayes leads a talented and experienced group. He ran 16:00 at Woodward Park. In track his best marks are 9:24, 4:27, and 2:02. He was All StanCo XC in 24 and Track in 24 and 25. 

 

HAVYN BARTELL 12th (Beyer)--Havyn may be the Beyer runner who is most often overlooked, but his times shout "You better take notice!" He is not a punchline or a trivia question answer. If Hayes blinks Havyn will take the WAC title. His best track times are 9:37, 4:27, and 2:02. He was All StanCo track in 25. 

 

ALEX MEJIA HIDALGO 11th (Beyer)--Alex earned All StanCo track last season in all three distance events  (9:57, 4:23, and 1:58). In XC he ran 16:22 at Woodward Park. Added to Hayes, Havyn and Yuushi Beyer may field their best team ever. That level of talent comes with some lofty goals.

 

QUINN BACA 11th (Oakdale)--the loss of Parker Whitemyer is huge at Oakdale. He was the leader and both Quinn and Westin McGhee will need to step up and compete like the veterans that they are or Oakdale will not be returning to State. Quinn ran 9:48 in the 3200 in track which gives him the edge on this list over a number of others. However his inconsistency is worrisome. He was All StanCo track in 25.  

WESTIN MCGHEE 11th (Oakdale)--see what I just put for Quinn. There is a lot of talent present in these two runners but they will need to produce so much more for the Mustangs this season. Westin ran 9:50 and 4:37 in track, 16:27 at Woodward, and made the All StanCo Track team in 25. 

 

ALESSANDRO PIMENTEL 12th (Hughson)--As track progressed Sandro seemed to find his competitive form. He is likely the favorite to win the TVL this season. He produced times of 9:50 and 4:30 last season and was All StanCo Track in 25.  

 

CESAR BOJORQUEZ 12th (Downey)--Consistency is what Cesar produced during track routinely running in the low 9:50's making the All StanCo Track team...BUT his running partner graduated and he will need a big improvement leap to fulfill the dream of qualifying for State.

 

MATT SANTANA 12th (Riverbank)--As with last season Matt's only real challenge in MLL competition will likely come from his own teammate Armando Garcia. But this is Matt's last chance to finish the Section races on a high note and qualify for State. In track he produced times of 9:51 and 4:35. He was All StanCo track in 24 and 25.  

 

IVAN RODRIGUEZ 11th (Modesto)--Okay this is a gut pick on my part. A few other mat have slightly faster times, but I think Ivan is going to explode this season. He made All StanCo in Track this past season with times of 9:56 and 4:32

 

THE NEXT TEN(eleven)

SEAN MUTURI 12th (Oakdale)--ditto to what I said above about Westin and Quinn. Best times9:51 and 4:40

GRANT FAHRNEY 12th (Gregori)-- All StanCo track in 25 with a 3200 time of 9:56

GABE AVALOS 11th (Turlock)--he was injured most of the 25 track season but prior to the injury he produced times of 9:57 and 4:38. 

YUUSHI KENNEDY 11th (Beyer)--All StanCo Track in 25 with 9:56, 4:39, and 2:05...he might be the best and most unassuming #4 runner in all StanCo

COLVIN HAMEL 12th (Pitman)--Colvin is an 800m dude but he is solid in XC too, He was All StanCo in Track in 25 with times of 4:34 and 1:58.

ARMANDO GARCIA 11th (Riverbank)--Armando's best event might be the 800 but if he is close to you at the end of a XC race he will out-kick you (just ask Matt Santana about that). He was All StanCo in 25 track with 4:36 and 1:57.

ELI SCOTT 11th (Pitman)--Eli really came on at the end of the 25 track season producing times of 4:36 and 2:01

SERGIO TORRES 12th (Ceres)--4:36 and 2:00 are his best track marks.

JOVANI FRANCO 12th (Modesto)--10:11 in the 3200m

GABE PENWELL 12th (Enochs)--10:14 in 3200m

AIDEN CAVANAUGH 9th (Oakdale)--I have never put an in-coming frosh boy on this list. Aiden might end up being the "Leader" on the Oakdale squad. His best time of 4:54 might not earn him a spot here exactly but my gut says he'll be in the mix at the end of the season. 

 

TEAM RANKINGS 

1. Beyer

2. Oakdale

3. Turlock

4. Hughson

5. Modesto/Pitman/Riverbank 

 

Don't agree? Did I miss someone? Tell me about it...leave a comment, send me a message, use it to fuel your spirit and prove me wrong...I love being surprised...show me what you got!