Sunday, April 02, 2017

Top 10 distance runners (boys and girls) in Northern California

Updated through yesterday. Let me know if I missed anybody or if somebody needs to move up or down.

BOYS
1) Cooper Teare St. Joseph Notre Dame (NCS) senior
2) Luis Grijalva Armijo (SJS) senior
3) Michael Vernau Davis (SJS) senior
4) Alex Scales Bellarmine (CCS) junior
5) Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau Bellarmine (CCS) junior
6) Robert Miranda Menlo (CCS) junior
7) Jake Ritter Granite Bay (SJS) senior
8) Jonathan Fierro Miramonte (NCS) senior
9) Liam Anderson Redwood (NCS) sophomore
10) Xavier Weaver Franklin (SJS) senior
10) Ben Micallef Bellarmine (CCS) senior

GIRLS
1) Alyssa Brewer California (NCS) junior
2) Maddie Denner Oak Ridge (SJS) junior
3) Elana Denner Oak Ridge (SJS) junior
4) Cathilyn McIntosh (Del Oro) juior
5) Mari Friedman Santa Cruz (CCS) junior
6) Gillian Wagner Redwood (NCS) junior
7) Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy (NCS) junior
8) Alex Stout Pacific Collegiate (CCS) junior
9) Alex Beitia Granite Bay (SJS) senior
10) Niki Iyer Harker (CCS) senior
10) Glennis Murphy Redwood (NCS) senior
10) Sydney Vandegrift St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS) junior
10) Kiera Marshall St. Joseph Notre Dame (NCS) senior

Feel free to comment on the above lists below. Did I miss anybody? Who should move up or down?

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jorge Estrella- Andrew Hill- 4:19 (1600), 9:34 (3200)

Mira Fanboy said...

By the end of the season Jonathan Fierro will be at the top of this list. I guarantee it.

Albert Caruana said...

Fairly typical fanboy comment. I think Cooper Teare and a few other runners may have something to say about that.

Anonymous said...

Anderson from Redwood will be moving up the list by the end of the season. It's March, counts in May and June.

Albert Caruana said...

No question that Liam will be one of the top runners by the end of the season. I think the slow early pace in the Dublin Distance Fiesta 1600 really affected a lot of the runners in the field.

Anonymous said...

This should be titled, "Mid Season Top 10", since this list will change big time with most coaches planning to have athletes peak in May/June, not March.

Albert Caruana said...

This was posted this week so it should be assumed this is based on early season performances to date.

There are several runners that are currently injured and are not listed that will make their way into the top 10 by the end of the season.

Anonymous said...

Bowen ?

Albert Caruana said...

No sign of Bowen yet during the outdoor season.

Anonymous said...

Sorry fanboy of cooper can run a solo 1:54, drop a 4:06 indoor mile and beat the best in the nation with a 4:13 5k nobody will be touching him at the top. He is capable of a 8:40-44 or better 3200

Anonymous said...

Kent Slaney? #2 CCS XC?

Ron Ernst said...

Strong list. Zack Walker is worthy of consideration given his range and historical strength and development.

Albert Caruana said...

All worthy mentions but at this point just out of the top 10.

Anonymous said...

Robert Miranda 4:14 full mile at Azuza meet

pmccrystle said...

Another top CCS competitor from this weekend: Mari Friedman at Avis Kelley: 4:55.93 (win by 5 seconds over Kaylah Grant and Marea Zlatunich), 2:12.40, and a leg on the 4x100 (at least she's listed as having run!)

Anonymous said...

Jake Lange 9:18.17 at Azusa meet as well.

Albert Caruana said...

Patrick, I noticed that as well. She is very impressive considering her success in XC and being an exceptional 800 runner. She could double in both events at CCS and win both with the same times you listed above.

Anonymous said...

I suspect that Cathilyn McIntosh from Del Oro will be on your list after this weekend's Stanford Invite (she's in the 800). We'll see.

Anonymous said...

Jett Charvet 4:21 in 1600m at a Dublin Distance Fiesta 2nd place ahead of some on your list and 9:38 in 3200m.

Anonymous said...

Xavier Weaver??!! 4 straight 800m 1.55 or better solid 1600 performances as well

Anonymous said...

Bowen ran a national best in Steeplechase at Texas Relays
http://www.redwoodempirerunning.com/rylee-bowen-wins-at-texas-relays/

Anonymous said...

Just wondering if you can truly call someone a "distance" runner if their specialty is the 800m or if they don't even run the 3200m? The 800m and 1500m (1600m) are considered mid distance in college.

Albert Caruana said...

It's a good question but in college you have 5k, 10k and steeple so not really a good comparison.

Brewer is the most dominant runner in NorCal in her event which is why she is ranked 1st. Until someone beats her in the 800, I will rank her first.

Anonymous said...


Personally, I think it's a tough call between Vernau and Scales.
Although we know the mile is extremely close(based on yesterday's Stanford
race), I would give Vernau a clear edge over Scales in the 3000 and up but,
on the other hand, I would give Scales a clear edge in the 800 and 400.
Overall, I think Scales has a stronger range.
They're both having a great season, and maybe we'll learn more after Arcadia.
You do a great job with your website, and it's certainly appreciated.


Albert Caruana said...

Yeah another tough one and perhaps Scales should move up. I think you can also make a case for Grijalva moving up as well but he hasn't really raced a true HS race yet. I am assuming he is at Arcadia this coming weekend.

This is why rankings are so tough especially on the boys' side. The events are much more competitive and on any given day, the order of finish is different.

Anonymous said...

High school competition or not, no one other than Teare has run anything as good as Grijalva's 3:49 1500. Teare's indoor mile and outdoor 5k combo are probably enough to put him at number 1, but I don't see how you can put Grijalva lower than number 2.

Albert Caruana said...

3:49.89 is worth 4:06.83 for 1600. Will move him up to 2nd. Since Cooper beat him head to head in the 5k in Texas, he will maintain his #1 standing.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Grijalva should move up to #2. His 3:49 1500 converts to 4:07 in the mile. Vernau ran a 4:13.

Menlo XC/Track Coach said...

If you were at Stanford, you saw that Luis was clipped from behind w/ 220M to go or he would've ran even faster...

Going back to 800M specialist question, is that truly a distance runner...I honestly feel that it should be 1600M and above and use their 800M as a tie breaker or something... ;) don't know, it's up to you...and also great job on the rankings, fun to follow but I'm sure there will be some changes in the upcoming week! Also, I believe Mari will run faster 800 when she's fresh...scary fast tbh...

Lastly Vernau vs Scales in the mile is interesting...Vernau did give Scales a race for sure...but Scales vs Vernau in the 800, Scales for sure...in the 3200, Vernau for sure...but never know. Scales is very STRONG.

Arcadia will be interesting! Can't wait & best wishes to all competing!

Anonymous said...

Good to see Bowen running again and winning, however she ran the same race 20 seconds faster two years ago. How that converts to the 1600 and 3200 comp we shall see.

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