2025 XC StanCo PreSeason Girls

 

If you want to understand this post or my thought process please read the previous post about the Boys' PreSeason team.

 

I will start by saying that I believe that this year's girls' team is the best ever (fastest) StanCo squad ever. Four of the members are easily ranked in the top ten StanCo runners ever by any measure. Add to that they have at least another year to improve on their past efforts!

 

TOP TEN

 

NATALIE ARRIAZA 12th (Patterson)--What is left for Nat to prove? She is certainly in the top three StanCo runners ever. She owes the fastest StanCo time at Woodward Park of 17:43. She ran 18:43 at Willow Hills and on the track she has produced 10:35, 4:58, and 2:20. She was All StanCo XC in 23 and 24 and in track in 23, 24, and 25. On her worst day (which she rarely has) she is still great.

 

GISELLE FERNANDEZ 12th (Riverbank)--Giselle holds the StanCo record in the 1600 at 4:43...which is 10 seconds faster than the #2 person. She was 4th in last year's D4 State race in 17:48. At Willow hills she ran 19:23. On the track (besides the 1600m time) she has run 10:45 and 2:14. She was All StanCo XC in 23 and 24. In track she earned All StanCo honors in 23, 24, and 25.

 

AVERY CARLSON 12th (Pitman)--the best surprise for me last season was the explosion of marks by a healthy Avery Carlson. She ran 19:02 at Willow Hills and 18:24 at Woodward. On the track her bests were 10:41, 4:59, and 2:22. She was All StanCo in XC in 23 and 24, and in track it was 24 and 25.

 

ELLE WILLIAMS 10th (Turlock)--Elle blow out her Frosh season and immediately she put everyone on notice that she was "FO REAL." She ran 20:04 at Willow Hills and 19:30 and Woodward. In Track she found her groove with times of 10:55, 5:10, and 2:25. She was All StanCo last year in both XC and track.

 

ADDISON WYLIE 10th (Oakdale)--if it hadn't been overshadowed by Elle's season I'd be raving about Addison's frosh year. She ran 19:38 at Willow Hills and 18:55 at Woodward. On the track it was 11:22 and 5:22. She was also All StanCo in both XC and track last season.

JYMENA NGUYEN-MARQUEZ 12th (Grace Davis)--Jymena has run 19:19 at Willow Hills and 18:57 at Woodward. On the track she has run 5:17. She was All StanCo in XC in 23 and 24 and in track in 24 and 25. Unfortunately she has had almost no competition in the WAC and is often injured. These two factors have left her standing just outside of greatness looking in. Could this be the season she is healthy all year? 

 

SOPHIE BENHAM 12th (Hughson)--Like Jymena Sophie has her own share of health issues, but she seems to have found an equilibrium between her training and her health, which has produced more consistently fast races. She was All StanCo XC in 22 and 24 and in track in 25. She has run 20:04 at Willow Hills and 19:30 at Woodward. On the track she produced times of 11:33 and 5:26. 

 

 SAMANTHA DE LA CRUZ 11th (Orestimba)--if there was a most improved award for last year it would likely go to Sam. she was All StanCo in both XC and track. At Willow Hills she ran 20:18. On the track she broke out with times of 11:44, 5:12, and 2:20. She Benham and Hilmar's Logsdon will battle in the TVL this season. 

 

 

MYLIE OLSON 11th (Turlock)--I am waiting for Mylie to reach her potential. Her coach has tagged her as a mostly a 400/800m runner in track and I think that is part of the issue. I think the 1600 could be her best event. In XC, due to several graduates from last year's team, they will need more from her to repeat as CCAL champs. At Woodward she ran 19:52 last season. On the track she ran 5:13 and 2:20 to make the All StanCo track team. 

 

ANAHI RUIZ VELASCO  9th (Beyer)--This is only the second time I have placed an incoming 9th grader on the girls' preseason top 10. She ran 5:28 as an 8th grader. As a TRM person I know the 5K distance will not be an insurmountable barrier for her. She'll be pushed in practices and races by team-mate Tyleah. All of this leads me to believe that she deserves this placement.

 

THE NEXT TEN (eleven)

BRADIE EVANS 12th (Oakdale)--she is very experienced and the Mustangs will need that this season. She was All StanCo in XC in 23 and in track in 24 and 25. Her best times are 11:52, 5:30, and 2:26.

TYLEAH BADEA 11th (Beyer)--2:14 and 12:14 at the end of track got her All StanCo honors and onto this list. I think she and Anahi will push each other. They may even be able to challenge Jymena for the WAC title.

LIZ CHRISTOPHER 12th (Turlock)--Liz may have the worst running form of anyone on this list BUT boy does she have grit. She ran 11:54 and 5:34 to make All StanCo last season in track.

NOELI GOMEZ-OROZCO 12th (Hughson)--2:23 and 5:26 gets her onto this list, but the Huskies have lofty goals and will need her to be up with Benham and DeLaCruz. She is capable of doing that.

MELANIE RODRIGUEZ 12th (Patterson)--Melanie was injured for most of the track season but still managed to run 11:11:55 and 5:32 to make All StanCo. She has run 19:36 at Woodward park. 

KYLIE FAST 11th (Oakdale)--after transferring to Oakdale last year she had to sit out about half of both seasons. She ran 19:54 at Woodward and 12:08 and 5:32 on the track. This year she'll have a full season of racing. 

NAYELI MATTISON 12th (Pitman)--in track Nayeli is a work horse often running 4x800, hurdles, 400, 4x400...and whatever is needed. Over the course of the season I think this drains her. But she still produced 2:24 and 5:39. Pitman will surely need her best if they have any chance of challenging Turlock in the CCAL. 

TAYLOR REAMS 11th (Oakdale)--12:04 in the 3200. Oakdale will need more from her this year.

AVA MEDRANO 11th (Beyer)-- 5:36 in the 1600m. The Patriots will need more consistency from her this year to win WAC.

EMMA LYNN HOGAN (Central Catholic)--5:36, 12:30 

GISELA HERNANDEZ 9th (Turlock)--in coming frosh who ran 5:42 in 8th grade. The Bulldogs will need her if they have any hopes of returning to State this year. 

 

TEAM RANKINGS

1. Turlock

2. Oakdale

3. Pitman

4. Hughson

5. Gregori/Beyer 

 

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!