2011 Crystal Springs Invitational complete results...

http://www.directathletics.com/results/xc/3127.html

Clovis Invitational Results

http://www.clerkofthecourse.com/clovis11/results.php

and for combined boys and girls results:  http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/XC/2011/clovis.htm

Videos and photos from Clovis:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/ResultsPosted

Preliminary Crystal Springs Invitational Results

Championship Varsity Boys' Race
1)  Kevin Bishop Monta Vista 15:12
2)  Luis Luna Piner 15:14
3)  Richard Ho Leland 15:15
4)  Connor Clark University 15:19
5)  Cody Johnson SLV 15:35
6)  Jaime Silva Piner 15:35
7)  Nick Hicks SLV 15:36
8)  Efren Reyes Piner 15:37
9)  Thomas Anthony Cupertino 15:40
10)  Ruben Collins San Benito 15:41

Teams
1)  Piner 64
2)  Carlmont 84
3)  San Benito 92
4)  SLV 119
5)  Leland 181
6)  Carmel 194
7)  Alisal 200
8)  Cupertino 210
9)  Maria Carrillo 215
10)  University 240

Boys' Varsity Race
1)  Neilson Powless Victory Christian 15:46 (freshman)
2)  Michael McCabe Willow Glen 15:58
3)  William Chen Lowell 15:59
4)  Bryan Tena Salinas 16:00
5)  Edgar Garcia Watsonville 16:07
6)  Nolan Petersen Washington 16:15
7)  David Aguilar Oak Grove 16:17
8)  Alex Farmer Stevenson 16:20
9)  Joey Morris San Rafael 16:21
10)  Michael Basuini Willow Glen 16:23

Teams
1)  Willow Glen 107
2)  San Rafael 130
3)  Lowell 163
4)  Salinas 172
5)  Leigh 212
6)  Tulare Western 231
7)  Silver Creek 266
8)  North Monterey County 271
9)  Palma 283
10)  Robert Louis Stevenson 316

Girls' Varsity Race
Teams
1)  San Lorenzo Valley 87
2)  University 111
3)  Maria Carillo 143
4)  Carlmont 183
5)  San Benito 191
6)  Piner 264
7)  Tulare Western 288
8)  Scotts Valley 310
9)  Gilroy 334
10)  Aptos 335

Missing girls individuals.  I will post them ASAP.  Some very fast times up front.  Nikki Hiltz of Aptos won the race in 17:04 which is the 8th fastest time ever on the course.  
You can check out the list of times at the following link:
http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/XC/cryat_gi.htm

Today's Northern California Cross Country Invitationals

08 - Castro Valley Trojan Invitational @ Canyon Middle Scool (NCS)
08 - Clovis Invitational @ Woodward Park, Clovis (Statewide)
08 - Crystal Springs Invitational @ Crystal Springs, Belmont (CCS)
08 - Deer Valley Invitational @ Deer Valley HS, Antioch (NCS)
08 - The Other Meet Invit'l @ Granite Regional Park, Sacramento (SJS)
08 - Whitney Invitational @ William Jessup University Course, Rocklin (SJS)

I will be at the Crystal Springs Invitational today.  I will try to tweet some of the top times from there.  You can find me on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/CCExpress

Catching up with Woodcreek HS coach, Terri McKillop...

 Today we chat with Woodcreek HS coach, Terri McKillop (picture to the left courtesy of the Woodcreek HS track and field site at http://www.woodcreektrack.com).  In the latest ESPN Rise state meet rankings, her boys' team is currently ranked 10th in Division II.  They finished in 2nd place at the Stanford Invitational behind section rival Bella Vista HS by a score of 101 to 115 and recorded the 8th fastest team time overall at the meet.  The Woodcreek girls finished in 1st place at Stanford and had the 13th best team time overall.  They are currently not ranked in state in the uber competitive Division II field but with only 7 Southern Section schools that can qualify to the state meet, Woodcreek will have a great shot of breaking into the top 10 come late November at Woodward Park.

1)  What sports did you participate during your youth and through college?  Favorite sport?
There were no organized sports for girls when I was young so I grew up playing baseball and football with the neighborhood boys.  My dad was transferred to McClellan AFB the end of my 8th grade year (1970) and that was the first time I ever got a chance to participate in athletics.  I ran 8th grade track and loved it but unfortunately there wasn't track or cross country for girls in high school.  I played tennis, basketball and softball for the first teams ever for girls in the San Juan Unified School district.  In college, I played Field Hockey, Basketball and Softball because they didn't offer track for the women.  My favorite sport was field hockey because it was a running sport and I loved the ability to actually get to run!!

2)  What led you into teaching and coaching?  What is the most rewarding part of teaching?
I always loved playing sports and learning about staying fit and I naturally gravitated that way in college, I started out pre-med and learned quickly that I didn't want to be in college that long to be a doctor!  The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing my students "get it" for the first time and when they come back years later and thank you for helping them and believing in them.

3)  What other sports have you coached besides cross country and track and field?
I have coached just about everything.  I started out as a rec program coach of flag football and then coached and taught swimming for 5 years.  My first teaching job led me into JV Volleyball, JV Basketball and Varsity Softball.  I moved to Roseville in 1989 with my husband and started coaching Track & Field because it was a better fit for me as a young mother with two small boys.

4)  How did you end up at Woodcreek HS and when did you start there?
I moved from Roseville HS to Woodcreek the year it opened in 1994-95.  I transferred so I could be a department coordinator and be a Cross Country and Track coach.  I was an assistant Cross country coach until 1998 when I officially took over the program.

5)  Who have been your mentors when it comes to coaching distance runners?
I have had many mentors through the years.  I have watched and learned from great coaches such as Bob King and Walt Lange and have spent many hours talking with other great coaches in the area.  My sister Shannon Sweeney and her husband Tim Minor(Galena) have encouraged and given advice through the years but most importantly my assistant coach and good friend Jeff Hildebrandt has been my mentor and supporter from the start.  He keeps me centered and grounded and has been a great confidence booster.  His knowledge of training and racing is the best around, having been an Oregon State runner and Oregon national champion in high school.

6)  Your teams have been quite successful in recent years including a highly successful Stanford Invitational last week.  Can you identify some runners at Woodcreek HS that helped elevate the program to what it is today?

Well, it takes that first good runner to set the example of what "CAN" be accomplished and we have been blessed with quite a few great runners to kick start the program.  Matt Johnsrud, Calvin Glass, Cameron Mitchell, Chris Romo, Garrett Seawell, Lauren Mulkey, Alex Ciaraglia, Courtney Crosta to name a few have set numerous records and competed at the state and college level.  They have done a lot to get our program noticed and to help set the examples of hard work and integrity.

7)  What are your expectations for your runners during the summer?
We run a full summer training program that meets four nights a week and Saturday morning long run for advanced runners.  We encourage all runners to participate as much as they can and we require our varsity runners to be a part of the summer program if they want to be on the fall roster.  We try to run one to two summer camps for additional team bonding.  We believe that summer training is the first step in "Commitment."  It also allows us to build relationships with the athletes and for the athletes to build relationships with each other.  It helps us foster our core values of  Integrity, Character, Commitment and Respect. (ICCR)

8)  What does a typical week look like for your team early season?  Mid season?  Late Season?  Key workouts?
Well we believe the season starts in June and early base training is the key to developing a strong program, our summer consists of purely base training, no workouts sprinkled with fun in the water, camping and group picnics.  We move into the early season with two double-days and two long recovery days with one cross training day and a long run or hill run on Saturdays with an emphasize on strength.  Mid season stays about the same with alterations for key meets and the start of speed components, going into the late season with moderate runs and speed taking a bigger role.  Key Workouts.....Lots of hill repeats, mile repeats, 100's, 800's and interval minute on/off workouts.  They are all key areas to work on for well rounded runners.

9)  When it comes to the SJS, what are the key courses and most popular invitationals?
Well, we love Stanford and Clovis to get the athletes ready for state competition, but try to run at least twice on the Section course at Willow Hills.  Our kids love the 4000 meets at Del Oro and league championships at William Jessup and have added the Hornet Invitational as an early season look at the competition.  We try to train out at Willow hill quite a bit even though it is an hour commute, but feel it is worth it for the athletes to see the course a couple of times outside of racing.

10)  I asked earlier about the most rewarding part of teaching.  What about coaching?
Running with athletes, and watching them finally figure out what Cross Country is all about.  I love the bonding and the small teaching moments you get on a 10 mile run.  I love seeing how committed the kids are to the program and each other.  I love the whole nature of the sport, where everybody is important and a crucial part of the team.  I could go on and on, but it is the most rewarding sport I have ever coached and it is a privilege to watch the runners develop into such awesome young women and men.

11)  What is your advice for a new coach who wants to establish a competitive program at their current school?
Be consistent and fair.  Set your standards high and stick to them. Treat all your athletes the same regardless of their talent.  If you would pull a mediocre runner for missing practice then make sure the #1 runner is held to the same standard.  Be willing to give up your summer and Saturdays to build your program, and do the little extra things, like team dinners, group outing to the lake, etc.  Finally, try to run as much as you can on dirt trails, even if you have to drive a little!

12)  Anything else you would like to add.
No. I think that covers it!

Thank you very much for your time Terri!  AJC

Northern California Cross Country Newspaper Coverage...

MCAL Results from Thursday (NCS scroll down)
Acalanes Dons on laid-back cross country course with coach (NCS)
Spartans run toward another stellar season (Mt. View HS/CCS)
Alisal boys, Salinas girls win titles at City Championship (CCS)
Alameda High girls cross country team running with the pack (NCS)
Vacaville High School cross country sweeps Armijo (SJS)
Jesuit Cross Country Running Back To Prominence (SJS)
Spotlight on Amy Schnittger:  Aptos alumna leads Chico State cross country (CCS alumni)
Big opening cross country meets (NCS)
HMB second among boys' teams at Artichoke (CCS)

CCS Results from 10/6/11

WCAL #1 at Golden Gate Park Results
SCVAL Crystal Springs Preview Meet
Alisal boys, Salinas girls win titles at City Championship

New State Meet Divisional Rankings have been posted...

Boys:  http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/california/2011-xc/Rankings/October/05-State-Boys-Team.aspx
Girls:  http://rise.espn.go.com/track-and-xc/california/2011-xc/Rankings/October/05-State-Girls-Team.aspx

Jim Tracy BAC Challenge Results

Here are the results of today's meet at Golden Gate Park which featured many of the top Division V teams and individuals from the Bay Area Conference, NCS and California.  The results are courtesy of www.recordtiming.com.
Boys Varsity:  http://www.sml1.com/ncxc/infores/bcl_chal_vb.htm
Girls Varsity:  http://www.sml1.com/ncxc/infores/bcl_chal_vg.htm
Boys Frosh/Soph:  http://www.sml1.com/ncxc/infores/bcl_chal_fsb.htm
Girls Frosh/Soph:  http://www.sml1.com/ncxc/infores/bcl_chal_fsg.htm

Also from the North Bay, check our results as posted on the www.northbay.com
http://www.northbay.com/running/11xc1005.html#4

NCS Mid-Season Rankings (October 5, 2011)

Here is my best attempt to rank all the NCS teams in each division at this point in the season.  I tried as best I can to rank teams based on what they have accomplished so far and not project to the future.  Feel free to comment on these rankings at the link below. Your opinions are encouraged.  On the bubble teams are listed alphabetically.

Division I
Boys
1)  De La Salle
2)  Amador Valley
3)  Granada
4)  Santa Rosa
5)  Monte Vista
On the bubble:  Heritage, James Logan, Mission San Jose

Girls
1)  Granada
2)  Amador Valley 
3)  Monte Vista
4)  Castro Valley
5)  Livermore 
On the bubble: Freedom, James Logan, Santa Rosa

Division II
Boys
1)  San Ramon Valley
2)  Maria Carrillo
3)  Alameda
4)  Dougherty Valley
5)  Clayton Valley
On the bubble:  College Park, who else?

Girls
1)  Maria Carrillo
2)  College Park
3)  Dougherty Valley 
4)  Alameda
5)  San Ramon Valley
On the bubble:  Carondelet, Casa Grande, Clayton Valley

Division III
Boys
1)  Campolindo
2)  Piner
3)  Miramonte
4)  Las Lomas
5)  Redwood
On the bubble: Acalanes, Bishop O'Dowd who else?

Girls
1)  Campolindo
2)  Acalanes 
3)  Redwood
4)  Las Lomas
5)  Piner
On the bubble: Miramonte, Northgate, Petaluma, Tamalpais

Division IV
Boys
1)  St. Mary's Berkeley
2)  Drake
3)  Cardinal Newman
4)  San Rafael
5)  Marin Catholic
On the bubble:  Arcata, Moreau Catholic, Piedmont, Terra Linda
 

Girls (I honestly have no idea after Drake.  I listed the rest of the teams in alphabetical order)
1) Arcata
2)  Drake

x)  Marin Catholic
x) Moreau Catholic
x)  Piedmont
x)  San Marin
x)  St. Mary's Berkeley
x)  Terra Linda

Division V
Boys
1)  St. Joseph Notre Dame
2)  University
3)  Sonoma Academy
4)  Athenian
5)  Marin Academy
On the bubble:  College Prep, Lick Wilmerding, Urban

Girls
1)  University
2)  Urban
2)  Marin Academy
3)  College Prep
4)  Branson
On the bubble:  Convent, Lick Wilmerding

Feel free to comment on the rankings in the section below. Remember, this is just a starting point. If you feel strongly about a team that should be moved higher or is not even listed, please back up your strong feelings with results.  Thank you in advance for your help.