2015 California State Meet Pre-Season Girls' Distance Contenders

The always uber-competitive California State meet will once again feature some of the top distance runners in the nation. Here are the favorites for the three girls' distance races as well as all their main threats and wild card runners. Most of the runners listed are 10-12th graders so it's possible that a potential 9th grader who may contend is missing from the lists below. PRs for each runner are listed in parenthesis. Feel free to comment in the section below about runners you feel should be included or moved up.

Girls 800m.

Favorite: Mikaela Smith Clovis North CS (2-time defending champion 2:06.85)
Threats: Hannah Benoit Buchanan CS (2:08.75), Bianca Bryant Piedmont Hills CCS (2:09.12)
Wildcards: Juliana Mount Notre Dame, San Jose CCS (2:10.07), Taylor Arco Mission Viejo SS (2:10.38), Chloe Jenkins St. Mary's Berkeley NCS (2:11.31), Cassie Durgy Huntington Beach SS (2:11.54), Amber Gore Redondo Union SS (2:10.76), Jacquelyn Hill Etiwanda SS (2:10.43), Anevay Hiehle Redondo Union SS (2:09.19)

Girls 1600m.

Favorite: Destiny Collins Great Oak SS (2nd place 2014 4:45.26)
Threats: Amanda Gehrich Tesoro SS (4:46.53), Kendall Derry Bella Vista SJS (4:52.00), Marissa Williams Palisades Charter LA (4:52.32)
Wildcards: Brooke Starn Monte Vista NCS (4:53.36), Kelly Bernd Canyon Crest Academy SDS (4:53.05), Brighie Leach Campolindo NCS (4:54.27), Chloe Hansel Las Lomas NCS (4:54.50), Megan McCandless Granada NCS (4:54.78), Lizzie Lacy Menlo CCS (NT), Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy

Girls 3200m.

Favorite: Destiny Collins Great Oak SS (4th Place 2014 10:14.33)
Threats: Fiona O'Keeffe Davis SJS (10:14.60), Kimberly Coscia South Torrance (10:18:57)
Wildcards: Emily Beneduce Oak Park SS (10:25.93), Caroline Pietrzyk Malibu SS (10:30.45), Megan McCandless Granada NCS (10:32.82), Marissa Williams Palisades Charter LA (10:25.02), Lizzie Lacy Menlo CCS (NT)

2015 SJS Distance State Meet Contenders

As with NCS and CCS, 3 qualify to the CA state Track and Field meet unless you make the 2015 At-Large Time Standards.  It's very possible I could have missed an athlete or two so please chime in below on those athletes.  Additional comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Ariane Arndt St. Francis Sac
Threats: Jeanne-Marie McPherson Davis, Madison Meade Roseville, Maddy Lyons Del Oro
Wildcards: Muna Alhamad Roseville, Erica Wolf Nevada Union, Kamra Newton Monterey Trail, Savannah Hill Whitney, Elisa McIsaac Davis,

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Arturo Sotomayor Roseville
Threats:  Blake Croft Davis, Mark Baker Rio Americano, Steven Hill Bear Creek
Wildcards: Gonzalo Morales Lomeli Dixon, Thomas Kruetzfeldt Sonora, Braeden Kraft Del Campo, Willie Hall Davis

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Kendall Derry Bella Vista
Threats:  Sofia Castiglione Davis, Hannah Hull Calaveras
Wildcards: Fiona O'Keeffe Davis, Peyton Bilo St. Francis Sac, Kaitlin Derry Bella Vista, Angela Dipento Woodcreek, Jeanne-Marie McPherson Davis

Boys 1600m.
The favorite: Brian Song Davis
Threats: Ben Roberts Davis, Daniel Ambriz Merced, Andrew Clusserath Rocklin, Ross Walker
Wildcards: Arturo Sotomayor Roseville, Paul Zeiss Granite Bay, Alex Garcia Placer

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Fiona O'Keeffe Davis
Threats:  Angela Dipentino Woodcreek, Miranda Myers St. Francis Sac, Sarah Anderson Vista del Lago
Wildcards: Kathryn Loken Del Campo, Kendall Derry Bella Vista, Sofia Castiglioni Davis, Isabella Dobson Elk Grove, Nora Pizzella Nevada Union, Maggie McManis Davis, Cassi Land Sonora

Boys 3200m.
The favorite: Paul Zeiss Granite Bay
Threats: Drew Childs Bella Vista, Edward Chance Del Campo, Sean Kurdy Jesuit
Wildcards: Brian Song Davis, Remington Breeze Vista del Lago, Gregory Aitken Folsom, Moshe McCarter-Ribakoff, Kyle Chun Vista del Lago, Kellen Browning Davis

2015 Northern Section Distance State Meet Contenders

Only the winners advance from the Northern Section to the state meet unless they qualify by surpassing the 2015 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Alexa Flagg West Valley
Threats: Sydney Pruett Enterprise
Wildcards:  Sofia Evanoff Winters, Natalie Ulloa Enterprise

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Zach Baldwin West Valley
Threats:  Jacob Graber Chico
Wildcards: Chris Morzenti Mt. Shasta

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

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Chris Morzenti Mt. Shasta
Threats:  Ben Harper Trinity
Wildcards: Jacob Graber Chico, Tyler Younkins University Prep, Matt Jochim Yreka, Brenden Berry Yreka, Masen Becerrill Pleasant Valley

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

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Ben Harper Trinity
Threats: Tyler Younkers University Prep, Chris Morzenti Mt. Shasta
Wildcards:  Matt Jochim Yreka, Riley Davis Shasta

2015 Northern California Track and Field Distance Preview

2014 State Champions from Northern California

The 2014 girls' state 1600m. race victor was another NorCal athlete as Sarah Robinson (Gunn) survived a rugged field and last lap to win in 4:44.25. Nikki Hiltz of Aptos and Anna Maxwell of San Lorenzo Valley won the 2012 and 2013 races respectively to begin the three consecutive NorCal victories. The fastest returning 1600m. NorCal runner is Kendall Derry of Bella Vista who ran 4:52.00 at the state prelims. She finished in 5th place in the final with two fellow then sophomores (Destiny Collins Great Oak and Amanda Gehrich Tesoro) ahead of her. The other NorCal winner was Fred Huxham (Dave Waco photo) of Redwood in the 3200m. He beat a tough field that included Blake Haney of Stockton who was attempting to become the 2nd California runner to record double victories in the 1600m./3200m. in consecutive seasons (Roman Gomez Belmont1984/1985). Huxham is now competing for the University of Washington with the fastest NorCal returner being Steven Sum of Saratoga at 9:10.23.

The "Rookies"

It's a little unusual to call two seniors rookies but that will definitely be the case for Lizzie Lacy (Keith Peters photo above left) of Menlo School and Toni Finnane (above right) of Campolindo. Lacy recorded the fastest time at Toro Park at the 2014 CCS XC final, finished in 3rd place at the State Meet in Division IV and continued to the Footlocker National Meet where she finished in 10th place. Finnane was a true XC rookie this past season as she joined the Campolindo team for the first time as a senior. She finished in 2nd place behind Chloe Hansel of Las Lomas at the NCS and state meets (she lost to teammate Brighie Leach at DFAL). She also qualified for the Footlocker National meet and ultimately finished in 22nd place. She may have been the only runner to qualify for the Footlocker national meet and not record one victory the entire season. Both will make their debut this coming Track and Field season and it will be very interesting what event they will both focus on come championship time in May and June. The other rookie will be Rylee Bowen (Christopher Chung photo below) of Sonoma Academy who as a freshman may have more racing experience than Lacy and Finnane combined. Bowen has been well known in the club running scene prior to her freshman XC season. She recorded an impressive 10:47.58 for the full 2 mile distance at the Night of 2-Mile Madness in November. Bowen will see if she can reclaim her status as the top freshman in Northern California after finishing behind Caroline Gee of Cupertino and Elana Kamas of Homestead in the All-Norcal XC team. Finally, watch out for Trevor Reinhart of Marin Academy this coming spring season. Although not a rookie, Reinhart ran Track for the first time as a junior but his season was cut short due to injury. He recovered nicely this past XC season as he won the BCL West, NCS and state meet races in dominating fashion. He qualified for the Footlocker National meet once again where he improved to 7th place after a 12th place finish as a junior. I am sure there are plenty of nervous NCS distance runners who will have to wonder what Reinhart's primary event will be this coming season.

The chase for a sub 9:00 3200m.
Last season, along with state champion Fred Huxham of Redwood, Blair Hurlock also dipped under the 9:00 barrier (8:58.28) making Huxham and Hurlock the 18th and 19th NorCal runners to achieve that feat in the last 11 years. Here is the complete list below.
2014-Fred Huxham Redwood 8:54.24, Blair Hurlock 8:58.28
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:
Steven Sum Saratoga (CCS) 9:10.23
Paul Zeiss Granite Bay (SJS) 9:11.62
Chris Foster Los Gatos (CCS) 9:16.12
Matthew Schumann De La Salle (NCS) 9:16.40
Edward Chance Del Campo (SJS) 9:20.49
Drew Childs Bella Vista (SJS) 9:22.98
Colin Burke Bishop O'Dowd (NCS) 9:23.36
Ben Haderle Los Gatos (CCS) 9:24.07
Jackson Crose Livermore (NCS) 9:24.30
Remington Breeze Vista del Lago (SJS) 9:24.95
Jose Pina Lincoln, San Jose (CCS) 9:26.20
Sean Kurdy Jesuit (SJS) 9:26.25
Daniel Hill Sacred Heart Prep (CCS) 9:26.75
Andy Ehrenberg Redwood (NCS) 9:26.97
Nolan Dozier Sobrato (CCS) 9:27.03
Justin Robison Lynbrook (CCS) 9:27.33
Samuel Blake Westmont (CCS) 9:28.21
Who from the above list will dip under 9:00?  Who else will join the chase that is not listed?

Top NorCal Boys under 16:00 at 2014 CA State Meet
2 Trevor Reinhart SR 95 5 Marin Academy NCS 14:58.5 4:50
12 Christopher Foster SR 82 2 Los Gatos CCS 15:16.4 4:55
13 Steve Sum SR 86 3 Saratoga CCS 15:16.7 4:56
15 Sean Kurdy JR 39 1 Jesuit SJS 15:17.9 4:56
20 Edward Chance SR 86 2 Del Campo SJS 15:19.5 4:56
23 Colin Burke SR 65 3 Bishop O'dowd NCS 15:22.4 4:57
24 Andy Ehrenberg JR 46 2 Redwood NCS 15:24.3 4:58
36 David Frisbie JR 45 3 Jfk - Fremont NCS 15:29.0 4:59
46 Sean Burke SR 66 3 Bishop O'dowd NCS 15:33.4 5:01
48 Jackson Crose SR 75 2 Livermore NCS 15:35.7 5:02
55 Hassen Hassen SR 29 2 Willow Glen CCS 15:36.8 5:02
57 Matt Schumann SR 26 1 De La Salle NCS 15:37.7 5:02
61 Moshe McCarter-Ribak SR 60 3 Placer SJS 15:38.9 5:03
77 Cooper Teare SO 98 5 St. Joe. Notre Dame NCS 15:43.1 5:04
82 Ross Walker SR 92 2 Del Campo SJS 15:45.0 5:05
88 Ben Osipow SR 14 3 St. Ignatius CCS 15:46.5 5:05
89 Jose Pina SR 1 2 Abraham Lincoln CCS 15:46.6 5:05
94 Drew Childs SR 44 1 Bella Vista SJS 15:48.3 5:06
97 Paul Zeiss SR 35 1 Granite Bay SJS 15:48.6 5:06
100 Edgar Bonilla SR 65 4 King City CCS 15:49.9 5:06
101 Johain Ounadjela SR 26 1 Carlmont CCS 15:49.9 5:06
106 Justin Robison JR 90 2 Lynbrook CCS 15:50.7 5:06
110 Alex Sasser SR 18 1 Bellarmine CCS 15:50.9 5:07
116 Moses Wolfe-Polgar SR 00 2 Del Oro SJS 15:52.6 5:07
118 Kevin Lehr JR 15 3 St. Ignatius CCS 15:52.9 5:07
120 Tucker Meijer SR 21 1 Bellarmine CCS 15:53.4 5:07
125 Peter Schlachte SR 31 1 Amador Valley NCS 15:54.4 5:08
127 John Ross JR 02 4 Scotts Valley CCS 15:54.4 5:08
129 Ben Zaeske JR 74 2 Los Altos CCS 15:55.2 5:08
130 Michael Bereket SR 28 1 Carlmont CCS 15:55.4 5:08
132 Roc Johnson SR 22 1 De La Salle NCS 15:55.7 5:08
135 Kellen Browning JR 73 1 Davis Sr. SJS 15:56.2 5:08
140 Alex Garcia SR 58 3 Placer SJS 15:57.4 5:09
142 Logan Taggart JR 48 2 Oakmont SJS 15:58.0 5:09
144 Revanth Nagurla SR 91 2 Lynbrook CCS 15:58.2 5:09
147 Jordan Scobey JR 86 2 Maria Carrillo NCS 15:58.7 5:09
149 Jacob Garrissere SR 85 1 Santa Teresa CCS 15:59.0 5:09

The 2015 "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 2014 at-lark mark is noted in parentheses so you can compare the mark from the previous season.

Boys ("toughest" to "easiest")

1:52.84 (1:52.98)

4:14.78 (4:14.24)
9:07.38 (9:08.64)

Girls ("toughest" to "easiest")

2:12.15 (2:11.80)
4:55.89 (4:55.15)
10:36.17 (10:35.79)