As we look back at this past weekend filled with some eye opening performances, it's time to call out the most impressive. Looking at all the meets, who was the most impressive to you? Individually? Team? Who is most improved from last season? Who is off the radar now but will be there when it counts? Who are the state meet contenders and what division? Who are the podium hopefuls? Feel free to comment in the section below.
Impressive 5k times from Jesuit boys and Davis girls at the Jesuit/Davis Invitational at Granite Regional Park. Four Davis girls in the top 5, including 2 O'Keeffes!
Cooper Teare of SJND for emerging as the TOP runner at the ED Sias all boys combined race and earning the #5 spot in the Invitational's all-time boys' list. He is the first runner from SJND to run a sub 10 at ED Sias and win the individual combined race. Very impressive young man!
Was the course short for boys or just 3 miles? Because it seems like they are almost a minute faster then previous years results. I know all of them are very talented but man that's blazing fast.
Fiona came out of the gate blazing, with no competition to speak of, but that will change come Stanford in two weeks. Vernau looks to be one of California's most improved runners (he was the Davis 6th man at the state meet last year). Not sure that Davis Boys will be full handed at De La Salle next weekend, but they did run one of their top 5 in the JV race, so I would assume their top 7 will be running at Stanford. Jesuit is pretty much running through these meets, but expect early season tests next week at DLS (with Davis, Monte Vista, DLS and So Cal power Long Beach Poly) and the following week at Stanford.
Davis/Jesuit meet was at Granite Park this year - last year was at Willow Hill in Folsom.
Willow Hill is a much slower/harder course, so you can't compare times between 2014 and 2015 without taking that into consideration.
Jesuit boys looked phenomenal - tight pack, very strong overall. Seemed like Sean Curdy was "team running", not going for individual win too, so their results might have even been better. They could podium this year at CIF if they stay healthy and have a good day. Maybe even get to NXN?
Kurdy has been nursing a tender ankle for a while and is also really focused on a handful of key races. Keep in mind that Davis didn't have 3 of their best runners in the varsity race either, so we haven't seen their best. With the level of competition in California and the ability to race against good competition, week in and week out, the best runners need to be careful to ensure they peak at the big meets and have a healthy team for sections and state. I would be surprised if Destiny Collins ran more than 5 times prior to the state meet.
Cate Ratliff is THE top girls runner in the state right now. No HS girl could do what she did at Wharf to Wharf and her Early Bird time is flat out astonishing.
She is a strong runner. On a true tough xc course no one will touch her.
How does Toro compare to the 3M "Great Cow Run" course? I see a lot of good times from that meet with some outstanding times at Toro much farther down the list of current leaders in CA.
Taking nothing away from Cate Ratliff and her noteworthy performance, but Fiona O'Keefe wrapped up last year with a sub-17:00 at Woodward Park and started off this season with a sub-17 at Granite with no competition. Destiny Collins hasn't run a competitive race yet this year. Until someone runs with them in competitive situation, those two are the class of California. It would be nice to have another girl or two elevate to that level, but haven't seen it at this point.
Folks, as always, lets try to keep the comments positive. If you have an issue to bring up on this site, please use your name and do not post anonymously. If you have an eligibility or transfer question, please contact the section office.
Other than that, let's keep the comments rolling. Who else hasn't been mentioned yet?
Going back to the 8/20/15 list of incoming freshman, of those in action so far, who has impressed the most and who might make an impact on their team this year?
Of the NorCal powers on the boy's side, I see too much depth for any freshman to really make an impact. As an example, Worthen at Jesuit was second in the frosh/soph race (to a sophomore who would be top 7 at most programs in CA) at the Jesuit/Davis Jamboree, but ranks about 13th overall on the team. Seems about the same with Davis and Bellarmine. On the girl's side, El Camino's freshman Sarah Chaves finished 2nd overall and ahead of every single one of Bella Vista's runners including Kendall Derry who has 6th at state last year. El Camino has almost no history of producing top runners, but they've also got another freshman in Alyssa Barnes who would have been BV's 2nd runner at Del Oro. An admittedly small sample size and early in the season, but two to watch. As for sophomores, really interested to see how Merced's Hagerman and Bella Vista's Henckel adapt to the varsity game as they were the class of area freshman last year.
Most of the BV girls had a hard week of workouts before Del Oro. Sarah Chaves and Allyson Barnes were a big surprise, although I hear they ran for local running clubs in middle school so they aren't totally new on the running scene. Quite impressive. There doesn't seem to depth to their team, but it looks like they will spice up some races.
Reina Garcia(Aptos)18:59 won the Freshman race at the Earlybird and Lila Roake (Santa Cruz)19:14 placed 2nd not a bad 1st race for both of these girls.
Looking at the Frosh boys side, I think Colonna and Ma (16:40 and 16:44 at Toro) are most likely to have an impact this year. They were 4 and 6 respectively in the combined team scores. Ross and Josh from the Bells will likely have to wait at least until next year. Anyone know when Chris Anderson runs his first race for SLV?
The most impressive race over the weekend had to be Cate Ratliff, hands down. With that effort she not only beat everyone that day but she beat every time ever run by an amazing group of ladies: Lacy, Maxwell, Fraser, Hiltz, Katz and Robinson to just name a few.
I agree. Ratliff had a great track season and crushed it at Wharf to Wharf this summer. Despite all that, her time at Toro was still quite surprising at this point in the season.
Impressive 5k times from Jesuit boys and Davis girls at the Jesuit/Davis Invitational at Granite Regional Park. Four Davis girls in the top 5, including 2 O'Keeffes!
ReplyDeleteCooper Teare of SJND for emerging as the TOP runner at the ED Sias all boys combined race and earning the #5 spot in the Invitational's all-time boys' list. He is the first runner from SJND to run a sub 10 at ED Sias and win the individual combined race. Very impressive young man!
ReplyDeleteMichael Vernau won the Jesuit/Davis invitational in 15.00. 5K = a 4:50 pace!
ReplyDeleteWas the course short for boys or just 3 miles? Because it seems like they are almost a minute faster then previous years results. I know all of them are very talented but man that's blazing fast.
ReplyDeleteDifferent course for SJS guys from last year and course was 3.07 miles. Still some very impressive marks.
ReplyDeleteFiona came out of the gate blazing, with no competition to speak of, but that will change come Stanford in two weeks. Vernau looks to be one of California's most improved runners (he was the Davis 6th man at the state meet last year). Not sure that Davis Boys will be full handed at De La Salle next weekend, but they did run one of their top 5 in the JV race, so I would assume their top 7 will be running at Stanford. Jesuit is pretty much running through these meets, but expect early season tests next week at DLS (with Davis, Monte Vista, DLS and So Cal power Long Beach Poly) and the following week at Stanford.
ReplyDeleteFiona is a step above. She still won't have competition to speak of, imho. Who, besides Destiny Collins, even comes close to her?
ReplyDeleteDavis/Jesuit meet was at Granite Park this year - last year was at Willow Hill in Folsom.
ReplyDeleteWillow Hill is a much slower/harder course, so you can't compare times between 2014 and 2015 without taking that into consideration.
Jesuit boys looked phenomenal - tight pack, very strong overall. Seemed like Sean Curdy was "team running", not going for individual win too, so their results might have even been better. They could podium this year at CIF if they stay healthy and have a good day. Maybe even get to NXN?
I thought that the Cooper Teare / Nick Downs battle was impressive at the Ed Sias Invite.
ReplyDeleteKurdy has been nursing a tender ankle for a while and is also really focused on a handful of key races. Keep in mind that Davis didn't have 3 of their best runners in the varsity race either, so we haven't seen their best. With the level of competition in California and the ability to race against good competition, week in and week out, the best runners need to be careful to ensure they peak at the big meets and have a healthy team for sections and state. I would be surprised if Destiny Collins ran more than 5 times prior to the state meet.
ReplyDeleteCooper has a Kick
ReplyDeleteCooper really has a kick.
ReplyDeleteHow many teams qualify to the state meet in division 3?
ReplyDeleteWhat section?
ReplyDeleteSac Joaquin
DeleteST Joe's love fest continues. How is Gabe doing this year? Seriously, didn't see him at St Mary's opener.
ReplyDeleteHow about those St. Joe's Varsity Girls & Varsity Boys. Great Showing
ReplyDeleteHow about the Bella Vista ladies? Can they win state DII and take down the southern section teams?
ReplyDeleteThe only reason Ed Sias existed was so we could reassure ourselves that Cooper had a kick
ReplyDeleteCooper, may the FORCE be with you!
ReplyDeleteCate Ratliff is THE top girls runner in the state right now. No HS girl could do what she did at Wharf to Wharf and her Early Bird time is flat out astonishing.
ReplyDeleteShe is a strong runner. On a true tough xc course no one will touch her.
How does Toro compare to the 3M "Great Cow Run" course? I see a lot of good times from that meet with some outstanding times at Toro much farther down the list of current leaders in CA.
ReplyDeleteA Toro Park time is equivalent to a time at Woodward Park. It's also about 15-20 seconds slower than the Crystal Springs and Mt. SAC courses.
ReplyDeleteTaking nothing away from Cate Ratliff and her noteworthy performance, but Fiona O'Keefe wrapped up last year with a sub-17:00 at Woodward Park and started off this season with a sub-17 at Granite with no competition. Destiny Collins hasn't run a competitive race yet this year. Until someone runs with them in competitive situation, those two are the class of California. It would be nice to have another girl or two elevate to that level, but haven't seen it at this point.
ReplyDeleteI always thought they run between 10-15 seconds faster on woodward park course compared to Toro Park?
ReplyDeleteHere are some times from last year at Toro Park at CCS and Woodwark Park at the CA state meet.
ReplyDeleteLucas Matison 15:40 16:05
Johain Ounadjela 15:47 15:49
Alex Sasser 15:49 15:50
Gillian Meeks 17:59 18:10
Caroline Gee 18:14 18:14
That's a very small sample but sure seems like both courses are fairly equal in time.
ReplyDelete3 teams from D3 in Sac Joaquin
http://www.cifstate.org/sports/cross_country/2015_Team_Entries.pdf
Folks, as always, lets try to keep the comments positive. If you have an issue to bring up on this site, please use your name and do not post anonymously. If you have an eligibility or transfer question, please contact the section office.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, let's keep the comments rolling. Who else hasn't been mentioned yet?
Going back to the 8/20/15 list of incoming freshman, of those in action so far, who has impressed the most and who might make an impact on their team this year?
ReplyDeleteOf the NorCal powers on the boy's side, I see too much depth for any freshman to really make an impact. As an example, Worthen at Jesuit was second in the frosh/soph race (to a sophomore who would be top 7 at most programs in CA) at the Jesuit/Davis Jamboree, but ranks about 13th overall on the team. Seems about the same with Davis and Bellarmine. On the girl's side, El Camino's freshman Sarah Chaves finished 2nd overall and ahead of every single one of Bella Vista's runners including Kendall Derry who has 6th at state last year. El Camino has almost no history of producing top runners, but they've also got another freshman in Alyssa Barnes who would have been BV's 2nd runner at Del Oro. An admittedly small sample size and early in the season, but two to watch. As for sophomores, really interested to see how Merced's Hagerman and Bella Vista's Henckel adapt to the varsity game as they were the class of area freshman last year.
ReplyDeleteMost of the BV girls had a hard week of workouts before Del Oro. Sarah Chaves and Allyson Barnes were a big surprise, although I hear they ran for local running clubs in middle school so they aren't totally new on the running scene. Quite impressive. There doesn't seem to depth to their team, but it looks like they will spice up some races.
ReplyDeleteReina Garcia(Aptos)18:59 won the Freshman race at the Earlybird and Lila Roake (Santa Cruz)19:14 placed 2nd not a bad 1st race for both of these girls.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Frosh boys side, I think Colonna and Ma (16:40 and 16:44 at Toro) are most likely to have an impact this year. They were 4 and 6 respectively in the combined team scores. Ross and Josh from the Bells will likely have to wait at least until next year. Anyone know when Chris Anderson runs his first race for SLV?
ReplyDeleteThe most impressive race over the weekend had to be Cate Ratliff, hands down. With that effort she not only beat everyone that day but she beat every time ever run by an amazing group of ladies: Lacy, Maxwell, Fraser, Hiltz, Katz and Robinson to just name a few.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Ratliff had a great track season and crushed it at Wharf to Wharf this summer. Despite all that, her time at Toro was still quite surprising at this point in the season.
ReplyDeleteWhen will the CCS Time Comparison times update? Some teams over the weekend outperformed (and underperformed) their preseason expectations.
ReplyDeleteNovember 14
ReplyDeleteCCS Team rankings and Comparisons have been updated.
ReplyDeletehank