2014 Central Section Distance Races State Meet Contenders

The top 3 qualify to the state meet from the Central Section unless you can qualify by surpassing the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Mikaela Smith Clovis North (Defending state champion)
Threats:   Maddy Nikkel Buchanan
Wildcards:  Madi Hiatt Clovis North, Annette Acosta Exeter, Danielle Pacheco Clovis West, Tatum Perez Mt. Whitney, Sami Ikuma Clovis West, Gabby Satterlee Central Valley Christian, Mikayla Sodersten Clovis, Korey Jones Edison

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Connor Morello Clovis
Threats:  Kevin Chavira Bullard
Wildcards:   Jacob Williams Buchanan, Adam Gonzalez Redwood, Curtis Threlkeld North Bakersfield, Brandon Kan Frontier

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Hannah Benoit-Bucher Buchanan
Threats:  Maddy Nikkel Buchanan
Wildcards:   Kaitlin Pacheco Clovis West, Mikayla Sodersten Clovis, Leigh Moffett Clovis North, Miranda Kennedy Buchanan, Lauren Moffett Clovis North, Taylor Gonzalez Buchanan

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Blake Haney Stockdale (Defending state champion)
Threats:  Kasey Knevelbaard Immanuel
Wildcards:  Psalm Ocampo Clovis North, Connor Nolen Clovis North, Jacob Williams Buchanan, Alek Simpson Yosemite, Eduardo Herrera Madera South, Jacob Bilvado El Diamante

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Leigh Moffett Clovis North
Threat: Mikayla Sodersten Clovis
Wildcards:   Miranda Kennedy Buchanan, Hannah Benoit-Bucher Buchanan, Molly Pruett Centennial, Katie Sandoval Clovis North, Brittany Laygo Clovis East, Josie Fry Buchanan, Jordyn Zorn Monache, Taylor Gonzalez Buchanan

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Blake Haney Stockton (Defending state champion)
Threats:  Eduardo Herrera Madera South, Miguel Villar Madera South, Connor Nolen Clovis North
Wildcards:  Danny Garcia McFarland, Jorge Perez Reedley, Jacob Bilvado El Diamante, Alex Torres Kingsburg

2014 Southern Section Distance Races State Meet Contenders

The top 6 qualify to the state meet from the Southern Section unless you can qualify by surpassing the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Sabrina Janes Saugus
Threats:  Megan Huebner La Quinta, Natalie Herberg Capistrano Valley, Amber Gore Redondo Union,
Wildcards:  Jackie Crowther Linfield Christian, Taylor Arco, Mission Viejo, Megan Melnyk Cresenta Valley

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Jeremiah Bias Vista Del Lago
Threats:  Sahm Bazargan Oak Park, Eamon Smythe Edison
Wildcards:  Dustin Herold Redondo Union, Chris Polk Long Beach Poly, Keaton Smith Dana Hills, Garrett Mullennix Vista Murrieta

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Amanda Gehrich Tesoro
Threats:  Megan Huebner La Quinta, Destiny Collins, Kimberly Coscia South Torrance, Melissa Fairchild Serrano, Ashley Helbig Great Oak
Wildcards:   Sarah Baxter Simi Valley, Erin Holton Rancho Cucamonga, Claire Graves Citrus Valley, Haley Dorris Great Oak, Abby Hong Mira Costa

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Austin Tamagno Brea Olinda
Threats:  Phillip Rocha Arcadia, Garrett Corcoran Villa Park, Estevan De La Rosa Arcadia, David Luna Indio
Wildcards:  Sydney Gidabuday El Modena, Jacob Ogden Dana Hills, Brennon Koryta Brea Olinda, Hector Hernandez Canyon Springs, Alan Yoho Flintridge Prep

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Sarah Baxter Simi Valley HS
Threat: Bethen Knights Northwood, Samantha Ortega Saugus, Destiny Collins Great Oak, Roni Yamane Arcadia
Wildcards:  Haley Dorris Great Oak, Kimberly Coscia South Torrance, Abby Hong Mira Costa, Adeline Zerrenner Dos Pueblos, Kimberly Coscia South Torrance, Abby Hong Mira Costa, Erin Holton Rancho Cucamonga, Claire Graves Citrus Valley, Lizzy Thomas Harvard Westlake

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  David Luna Indio
Threats:  Estevan De La Rosa Arcadia, Caleb Webb Big Bear, Garrett Corcoran Villa Park, Sydney Gidabuday El Modena, Alan Yoho Flintridge Prep
Wildcards:  Jacob Ogden Dana Hills, Benjamin Gonzalez Warren, Casey Celestin Palos Verdes, Mikey Giguere Westlake, Austin Tamagno Brea Olinda, Gabe Collison Crescenta Valley

2014 Northern Section Distance Races State Meet Contenders

Only the winners advance from the Northern Section to the state meet unless they qualify by surpassing the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Alexa Flagg West Valley
Threats:  Jenna Hinkle West Valley, Keely Johnson Pleasant Valley
Wildcards:  Sofia Evanoff Winters, Keely Johnston Pleasant Valley, Michaela Dyson Tulelake, Natalie Ulloa Enterprise

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  David Neill Yreka
Threats:  Jacob Graber Chicom Chris Morzenti Mt. Shasta
Wildcards: Clayton Bunn Yreka, Landon Woollard Shasta

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Jenna Storms West Valley
Threats:  Hanna Davis Shasta, Belle Moran Redding Christian
Wildcards: Natalie Ullua Enterprise, Jenna Hinkle West Valley, Alexa Flagg West Valley

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Clayton Bunn Yreka
Threats:  Matt Jochim Yreka, Landon Woollard Shasta
Wildcards: Joshua Bland Shasta, Ben Harper Trinity, Chris Morzenti Mt. Shasta, Andrew Lopez Live Oak, Damon Young Durham

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Jenna Storms West Valley,
Threat:  Natalie Ulloa Enterprise, Hannah Davis Shasta
Wildcards:  Belle Moran Redding Christian, Helen Mino Faulkner University Prep, Andrea Bader Foothill

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Clayton Bunn Yreka
Threats:  Matt Jochim Yreka, Landon Woollard Shasta, Rogelio Silva Corning, Austin Murch Central Valley
Wildcards:  Justin McGlone Paradise, Ben Harper Trinity, Andris Molina Chico, , Josh Bland Shasta

2014 Northern California Track and Field Distance Preview

The Defending Champion
Just like the 2013 track and field season, the defending girls' 1600m. champion currently resides in the SCCAL, CCS and NorCal.  Anna Maxwell outlasted 2012 champion Nikki Hiltz to claim the 2013 state meet 1600m. in a time of 4:47.33.  She recorded a lifetime personal best time of 4:42.57 at the CCS final along with other superb marks during her spectacular season which included 2:09.34 in the 800m. and 10:10.51 in the 3200m.  She just completed her best cross country season to that which culminated in a 5th place finish at the national Footlocker meet in San Diego.  Maxwell committed to the University of Washington in the fall and will look to be the first state 1600m. repeat champion since Christine Babcock of Woodbridge won three straight state titles in a row in 2006-2008.

The "Rookie"
Marin Academy junior Trevor Reinhart finished in 9th place at the CA state XC meet as a freshman.  He had an even better sophomore season sweeping the league, section and state meet races.  Following each season, Reinhart participated in lacrosse in the spring and was part of victorious section winning team as a freshman.  This past season, Reinhart won the league XC title for the 2nd straight season and stormed to a record setting 14:44 time at the section meet on the Hayward HS course.  He finished in 2nd place at the state meet behind Flintridge Prep runner Alan Yoho.  Reinhart punched his ticket to the Footlocker national meet with a 5th place finish at the West Regional race.  He completed his XC season with a 12th place finish at the national meet.  That San Diego trip may have been the final impetus for Reinhart to turn his attention to track in the spring.  He is still undecided on his event of focus but judging from his superb kick in XC, Reinhart will be a main state meet contender in any of the 3 distance events.

The chase for a sub 9:00 3200m.
Last season, John Lawson of Sir Francis Drake dipped under the 9:00 mark at the Arcadia Invitational running 8:58.19.  He was the only NorCal runner to surpass the usually elusive mark in the 8 lap event.  In the past 10 track and field seasons, here are 17 NorCal runners that own a 3200m. PR that starts with an 8 (biggest surprise to have broken 9:00?).
2013-John Lawson Sir Francis Drake 8:58.19
2012-None
2011-Trevor Halsted Davis 8:51.96, Luis Luna Piner 8:55.43, Ben Eversole Castro Valley 8:59.07, Chris Kigar El Camino 8:59.22, Dominic D'Acquisto Enterprise 8:59.58, Kevin Bishop Monta Vista 8:59.82
2010-Weston Strum Pioneer 8:56.42, Kurt Ruegg Napa 8:57.86, Erik Olson Novato 8:59.01, Reesey Byers Santa Rosa 8:59.89
2009-Erik Olson Novato 8:55.06, Garrett Rowe Mt. View 8:55.71, Dan Mitchell Del Campo 8:56.56
2008-German Fernandez Riverbank 8:34.23
2007-Brendan Gregg Davis 8:59.48
2006-Ben Sitler St. Francis 8:53.47
2005-None
2004-Yosef Ghebray James Logan 8:52.42

So the question now is who are the NorCal runners aiming to join the above elite company.  Here are the fastest returning 3200m. runners and their personal records:
Aidan Goltra Campolindo (NCS) 9:10.26
Blair Hurlock De La Salle (NCS) 9:11.47
George Miao Rocklin (SJS) 9:15.92
Steven Sum Saratoga (CCS) 9:18.97
Chris Foster Los Gatos (CCS) 9:21.86
Edward Chance Del Campo (SJS) 9:21.92
Paul Zeiss Granite Bay (SJS) 9:22.66
Gabe Arias-Sheridan St. Joseph Notre Dame (NCS) 9:22.77
Jose Pina Lincoln (CCS) 9:24.08
Steven Grolle Sonora (SJS) 9:24.97
Abdul Hamid Sheldon (SJS) 9:25.84
Ryan Anderson Maria Carrillo (NCS) 9:26.07
Cooper Sloan Homestead (CCS) 9:26.09
Logan Marshall Half Moon Bay (CCS) 9:26.83
Corey Gonzales Harker (CCS) 9:28.26
Who from the above list will dip under 9:00?  Who else will join the chase that is not listed?

The Underrated
According to one online dictionary, the definition of underrate is to underestimate the extent, value, or importance of (someone or something).  In the just posted All-NorCal XC teams, the debate for female NorCal runner of the year came down to Fiona O'Keeffe and Anna Maxwell.  Two terrific runners who each had a season for the ages.  Lost in the shuffle was one runner who had a quite a season for herself and in most other seasons, she would have ended up as the NorCal runner of the year.  Gunn HS runner Sarah Robinson became the 6th girl to break 17 minutes on the famed Crystal Springs course, she won at Stanford and CCS, finished 4th at the state meet and wrapped up her season with an 11th place finish at NXN.  During the last track season, Robinson recorded PRs of 2:14.44, 4:48.37 and 10:26.65.  At the CA state track and field meet, Robinson finished in 3rd place in the 1600m. and 5th place in the 3200m. recording PRs in both races.  She will be a force to be reckoned with during this coming season.

The 2014 "At-Large" Standards:  You can check out all the "At-Large" standards here.  Just as a reminder, the state meet qualifiers from each section is as follows:  CCS (3), NCS (3), SJS (3), NS (1), OAK (1) and SF (1).  The 2013 at-lark mark is noted in parentheses so you can compare the mark from the previous season.

Boys ("toughest" to "easiest")

1:52.98 (1:52.92)

9:08.64 (9:09.03)

4:14.24 (4:16.38)

Girls ("toughest" to "easiest")

10:35.79 (10:39.88)

2:11.80 (2:12.10)

4:55.15 (4:59.51)

More will be posted later including the underrated, the chase for sub 9 and more.

Before we peak ahead to the upcoming Track and Field season, let's quickly review the just completed Cross Country season.  We can safely say that it was a mighty successful one for many Northern California teams and individuals.  NorCal won 5 state team championships (Campolindo girls-Div III, Yreka boys-Div IV, San Lorenzo Valley girls-Div IV, St. Joseph Notre Dame boys-Div V and Branson girls-Div V) and four individual state championships (Fiona O'Keeffee Davis-Div I, Aidan Goltra Campolindo-Div III, Anna Maxwell San Lorenzo Valley-Div IV and Julia Maxwell Branson-Div V).  In total, 34 runners made the podium at the state meet (top 10 finishes) along with 2 more teams (Davis girls and Marin Academy boys with their top 3 finishes).  The Davis girls qualified for NXN with their 2nd place Division I finish and became the third NorCal girls team to qualify for that national meet after their SJS rival St. Francis Sacramento girls qualified the previous season and the Carondelet girls in 2006.  Trivia Alert:  Who can name the only NorCal boys team to qualify for that race?  Aidan Goltra and Sarah Robinson (Gunn) both qualified as individuals and finished 23rd and 11th respectively.  Anna Maxwell and Sarah Robinson became the 5th and 6th girls to dip under the 17 minute mark at the famed Crystal Springs course.  Blair Hurlock of De La Salle broke the all-time Hayward HS course record with a spectacular run at the NCS MOC meet.  St. Joseph Notre Dame ran their best race of the season on the same day and just narrowly missed setting the new team time mark.  Hurlock, along with Trevor Reinhart and Anna Maxwell all qualified to the Footlocker National meet and all walked away with top 12 finishes.  Fiona O'Keeffe set the Willow Hills course record on two consecutive weekends and went on to win the state cross country meet in a new sophomore course record time.  She also led the Davis girls at NXN with a 4th place finish time that surpassed the previous course record time.

2014 SJS Distance State Meet Contenders...

As with NCS and CCS, 3 qualify to the CA state Track and Field meet unless you make the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  It's very possible I could have missed an athlete or two so please chim in below on those athletes.  Additional comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Han-ah Sumner Davis
Threats:  Ashley Kittle Woodcreek, Jeanne-Marie McPherson Davis
Wildcards:  Camille Boudreaux St. Francis Sac, Kaitlin Derry Bella Vista, Peyton Bilo St. Francis Sac, Kristi Capello Del Campo, Kendall Derry Bella Vista

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Blake Croft Davis
Threats:  Jack Ploeg Elk Grove, Ben Garcia Pleasant Grove
Wildcards:  Arturo Sotomayor Roseville, Aric Strohmeyer Woodland, Gonzalo Morales Dixon, Steven Hill Bear Creek

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Kendall Derry Bella Vista
Threats:  Sophie Meads Davis, Jenica Dodge Whitney, Miranda Myers St. Francis Sac
Wildcards:  Mikayla Florez Riverbank, Peyton Bilo St. Francis Sac, Kaitlin Derry Bella Vista, Hannah Hull Calaveras, Sofia Castiglione Davis, Fiona O'Keeffe

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Garrett Migliozzi Nevada Union
Threats:  Paul Zeiss Granite Bay, Steven Grolle Sonora
Wildcards:  George Miao Rocklin, Andrew Brown Jesuit, Carlos Cruz McClatchy, Nathan Wellington Whitney, Arturo Sotomayor Roseville

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Fiona O'Keeffe Davis
Threats:  Lauren LaRocco St. Francis Sac, Miranda Myers St. Francis Sac, Madison Rawson St. Francis Sac
Wildcards:   Clare Carroll Vista del Lago, Rachel Peterson Oak Ridge, Giulia McIsaac Davis, Jenica Dodge Whitney

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Abdul Hamid Sheldon
Threats:  George Miao Rocklin,  Paul Zeiss Granite Bay, Nathan Wellington Whitney
Wildcards:  Edward Chance Del Campo, Brian Song Davis, Zach Morrett Hughson, Jasper Laca Davis

Next:  Northern California Track and Field Distance Preview

2014 CCS Distance State Meet Contenders

Here is what I have so far.  Remember only top 3 qualify to the CA state Track and Field meet unless you make the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Bianca Bryant Piedmont Hills
Threat:  Jeanine Noordam Pioneer
Wildcards:  Annalisa Crowe Menlo Atherton, Priscilla Lee Evergreen Valley, Alex Lathos Notre Dame Salinas, Katie Spence St. Ignatius, Lizza Tardieu Santa Catalina

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Brandon Sutton Homestead
Threats:  Gerardo Castro El Camino, Gabriel McLarnan St. Francis
Wildcards:  Galdino Bravo Sequoia, Marcus Avila Bellarmine, Ross Corey Woodside Priory, Jesus Covarrubias Wilcox, Andy Shen Lynbrook

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Anna Maxwell San Lorenzo Valley
Threats:  Sarah Robinson Gunn, Clare Peabody Aptos
Wildcards:  Melissa Reed Mountain View, Julia Lemak Mitty, Amy Lynch Mt. View, Claire MacMillan San Lorenzo Valley, Hannah Allen Homestead

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Scott Edwards Scotts Valley
Threats:  James Welsh Monterey, Gerardo Castro El Camino
Wildcards:  Steven Velarde San Benito Hollister, R.J. Collins San Benito Hollister, Chris Foster Los Gatos, Kevin Lehr St. Ignatius

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Anna Maxwell San Lorenzo Valley
Threats:  Sarah Robinson Gunn, Lauren Jacob Los Altos
Wildcards:   Julia Bounds, St. Francis, Gillian Meeks Gunn, Yulisa Abundis Aptos, Claire MacMillan San Lorenzo Valley

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Chris Foster Los Gatos
Threats:  Steven Sum Saratoga, Corey Gonzalez Harker, Cooper Sloan Homestead
Wildcards:  Jose Pina Lincoln, Logan Marshall Half Moon Bay, Ben Haderle Los Gatos, Alex Sasser Bellarmine, Matt Seidel Bellarmine, Ryan Dimick Carlmont

Next:  2014 SJS Distance State Meet Contenders

2014 NCS Distance State Meet Contenders

Here is what I have so far.  Remember only top 3 qualify to the CA state Track and Field meet unless you make the 2014 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Madison Ricks California HS
Threats:  Heidi Fuhriman Monte Vista HS
Wildcards:  Suzanne Becker Albany HS, Chloe Jenkins St. Mary's Berkeley, Amihan Augustyn James Logan HS, Jasmine Penney San Lorenzo HS

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Dante Hay Maria Carillo
Threats:  Connor McKinnon Amador Valley HS, Jose Lopez Arcata HS
Wildcards:  Owen Ljung Sonoma Valley HS, Christian Monsalud James Logan HS, Cody Mayer Liberty HS

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Megan McCandless Granada HS
Threats:  Spencer Moore St. Mary's Berkeley, Alexandra Hernandez Livermore HS
Wildcards:  Brooke Starn Monte Vista HS, Chloe Hansel Las Lomas HS, Christine Bayliss San Ramon Valley HS, Taylor Lawsen Granada HS, Anna Harleen Branson HS, Sophia Mills Piedmont HS, Delaney White Santa Rosa HS, Brighie Leach Campolindo HS

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Tyler Olson Livermore HS
Threats:  Trevor Reinhart Marin Academy HS, Michael Wang Acalanes HS
Wildcards:  Jason Intravaia San Ramon Valley HS, James Kinney Marin Academy HS, Zach Price Windsor HS, Fred Huxham Redwood HS

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Brighie Leach Campolindo HS
Threats:  Julia Maxwell Branson HS, Morgin Coonfield McKinleyville HS, Megan McCandless Granada HS
Wildcards:   Christine Bayliss San Ramon Valley HS, Molly Dicke Lick Wilmerding HS, Rachel Johnson Campolindo HS, Mary Orders Campolindo HS, Brooke Starn Monte Vista HS

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Aidan Goltra Campolindo HS
Threats:  Blair Hurlock De La Salle HS, Fred Huxham Redwood HS
Wildcards:  Gabe Arias-Sheridan St. Joseph Notre Dame HS, Ryan Anderson Maria Carrillo HS, Cameron Tu Alameda HS, Jackson Crose Livermore HS, Luke Williams De La Salle HS, Andrew Melendez Bishop O'Dowd HS, Cameron Gaskell Acalanes HS

Next:  2014 CCS Distance State Meet Contenders