Top CCS Boys' Individuals to watch in 2009 by Josh Small

BOYS

1 Garrett Rowe 12 Mountain View (D2)
This young man is perhaps one of the best runners to come through the CCS in a long time. A combination of talent, supportive parents, excellent coaching and motivated teammates seems to be the keys to success. He returns with the fastest time at Crystal in 2008 (14:56) and an amazing 15:03 for the Woodward Park course. Running 8:55 for 3200 meters on the track at the State Meet he has demonstrated time and again he knows how to peek and run well when it counts.

2 Ian Myjer 12 Mountain View (D2)
If Rowe is to be considered one of the best runners in the CCS this decade than you have to consider Myjer as well. Running just one second behind Rowe (14:57) over the Crystal Springs Course they a the most potent 1-2 punch this season. With this talent at the top, it might just be a knockout for Mountain View.

3 Mitch Moriarity 12 Aptos (D3)
There are a few boys in the mix that can pull the upset and Aptos’ Moriarity is one of those guys. He had a breakthrough season this spring running 9:05 for 3200 meters. The biggest challenge to climbing the rankings is that when it comes down to CCS Myjer and Rowe will push each other for the win in D2, while Moriarity will be running solo at the front in D3 which just might be the few costly seconds that keeps him from the #1over-all spot. It would be nice to see these guys match up at some invites this year!

4 Philip MacQuitty 12 Palo Alto (D2)
Another highly talented runner in D2 is MacQuitty from Palo Alto. He proved he can run fast when it counts finishing the Woodward Park course in 15:14 last year. This spring is where he really took off running 4:15 for 1600 meters and 9:07 for the 3200. If this young man has an amazing day he very well could pull the upset and win the CCS title for D2.

5 Paul Summers 12 Gunn (D2)
Running 9:13 for 3200 meters on the track he improved dramatically throughout the year. Running 15:40 at Crystal something seemed to click this spring. Gunn is a quality program with great coaching, count on him carrying that momentum into this cross country season.

6 Will Geiken 11 Los Gatos (D2)
It is crazy to think that D2 will line up 5 runners who have run 9:20 for 3200 meters last spring. One of those is Geiken who last year ran 15:56 over Crystal. Los Gatos has a tradition of developing talent, and expect this runner to be right up there with the best in Wildcat history. Expect him to be right there with the front pack charging the hill at the mile mark. Like most runners it will be the last 2 rolling miles that will test you. Geiken could very well be there all the way.

7 Parker Schuh 11 Mountain View (D2)
It will be interesting to see how Schuh responds to not running track this spring. He very well could be rested and ready to tear it up, but the guys ranked ahead of him had amazing breakthroughs this spring. If he is anything close to how he ran last year (running 15:31 at Crystal Springs and finishing 4th in the CCS Championship - D2) it very well could be a 1-2-3 finish for Mountain View.

8 Ethan Scardina 11 Carlmont (D1)
Winning the CCS Championship (D1) as a sophomore he is back to defend his title. He missed track due to an injury but will hopefully bounce back strong.

9 Weston Strum 12 Pioneer (D3)
A fantastic track runner Weston ran 4:17 for 1600 meters this spring. He broke 16 at Crystal in 2008 and finished 5th in CCS (D3). He and his brother will be at the top of D3 this year but will need some help from their teammates in the team competition. He could very well could move up the rankings while they are certainly middle distance specialist the only question is how will they do over 3 miles?

10 Luca Signore 12 Lynbrook (D2)
In the mix of the highly competitive D2 division is Signore from Lynbrook. Ran very consistently throughout the track season he ended up running 9:41 for 3200 meters. Running 15:48 for Crystal Springs he should be once again a top runner this year.

OTHER TOP CONTENDERS:

Kranti Peddada 12 Monta Vista (D1)
2008 Best: Finished 4th in D1 (16:25 at Torro); 9:45 for 3200 meters on the track. If teammate Bishop runs could elevate team and Peddada to the next level.

Nathan Strum 12 Pioneer (D3)
2008 Best: Ran 15:49 at Crystal Springs; On the track ran 4:21 for 1600 meters and 1:54 for the 800. No marks for the longer 3200. Will the short speed translate over a hilly 5k?

Kyle Rae 11 Bellarmine (D1)
2008 Best: Crystal – 16:17; Track -4:23 for 1600 meters. A great program that turns out top runners year after year. Count on Rae having a big jump in 2009.

David Perez 12 Salinas (D1)
2008 Best: Torro - 16:11; State - 16:27; Track - 4:23 for 1600 meters. Ran great over his home course in the early season but struggled in the heat at CCS. Had a great track season, could be in the mix for the D1 title.

Aaron Hsia-Coron 11 Anzar (D5)
Won CCS Championship (D5) as a sophomore and will defend his title.

PEOPLE TO WATCH:

Dalton Guthrie, Bellarmine
Nathan Lee, Carlmont
Benjamin Heck, Carlmont
Grant Foster, Prospect
Donald Plazola, Willow Glen