From the 2008 North Coast Section Cross Country Meet of Champions, the above picture is a shot taken by Spencer Allen of the start of the Division V boys' race.
If you have any interesting pictures you have seen online that are of any track or cross country events with NorCal athletes, please forward them my way (albertjcaruana@gmail.com)
I know this is not running related but thought it would be an interesting link. It's mean to be humorous but he does make some very valid points. Enjoy what you have.
Interesting that the Gunn HS girls will be competing in Division I while their boys will be competing in Division II.
What other prominent teams moved up or down from last season?
Just checked with the CCS office and the above numbers are confirmed. In regards to Gunn being in different divisions:
Under the new provisions for placing schools in divisions it is very possible for girls and boys to be in different divisions, especially since we have several all-boys and all-girl schools. This was acknowledged and discussed at the various levels of governance in the section but balancing the number of schools in each division (other than D5) became the number 1 focus.
1) When did you first start participating in cross country and track and field?
I first started XC my freshman year and I also did track too.
2) When you were first starting out in the sport, what runners did you look up to as role models for yourself (on your own team or other teams)?
When I first started running, I looked up to one of the seniors on our team, Amanda Boyd.
3) During your high school career, did you have a favorite between the two sports?
At first, I liked XC way better, so much better that I did sprinting my freshman year of track. But now, I like track a lot better than XC.
4) What other sports did you participate in during high school or before?
I participated in soccer my freshman and sophomore year, and did it for a few years before. I also competed in gymnastics before that for about five years.
5) When did you first feel like you had a shot of making the state meet in track?
This past season of track, I was the most confident in knowing I could make it to the state track meet.
6) What did a typical week look like for you in terms of training and racing? Miles per week?
For track, my training was mostly speed not just a bunch of miles per week. I would say maybe only up to 20 miles per week. XC, we ran a lot more distance maybe up to 30 to 40 miles a week, with speed and tolerance track workouts.
7) What was your plan going into the CCS final 1600 race and how did the race unfold for you?
My coach and I strategized the race together. He told me he knew I could win it, but it would take patience. I was confident enough to stay with the first pack and that's what I did. Eventually, it came down to the last 110m and my competitor kinda pushed me to the outside of the track. We linked arms but I just kept running. It kinda seemed like she pushed me but it came down to who had the most left and the bigger heart and I won.
8) Tell us a little about your coach and what he has meant to your development as a runner.
My coach, Jess Morales, is a really exceptional coach. I would not be where I am today without his help and determination. He really did a lot for me as a runner and as a person overall.
9) How much did running contribute in your decision in choosing UNLV?
My parents told me I could go to college wherever I wanted to, no matter how much it was, they would support my decision. I chose UNLV because, I really get along with the coach and they have good academic services and a beautiful campus.
10) Favorite cross country course? Woodward Park
Favorite cross country meet? Clovis Invitational
Favorite track distance? 1600m or the 400m
Favorite track meet? West Valley Relays
Favorite competitor? one who is faster than me.
11) What advice would you give a young runner who aspires to run at the state meet?
To push themselves and never give up cause it will get you no where, not just in running but in life also.
The clear favorite to win this year's boy's team title will be Redwood Christian. After an impressive 5th place finish at last year's state meet (in their first season in NCS), RC returns all but one runner from last year's top 7. Their top runner, Josh MacDonald, returns as the 2nd fastest returner in this division at both the section and state levels. More on him later. They also return Alex Mattson and Wayne Smith who both broke 17 minutes on the state meet course. With a solid 4th and 5th runners, RC could contend for a state meet plaque this year.
Picking Redwood Christian to win was easy. Now comes the hard part of trying to select the order of the teams that will finish behind them. The two teams that finished 1st and 2nd last year at the NCS MOC, SF University and Berean Christian, were both devastated by graduation, losing the majority of their teams. Given that University has won 10 NCS titles in the last 12 years, there is a pretty good chance that they will be competitive again, sooner rather than later.
The next teams in line will be two more BCL East competitors, College Preparatory and Head Royce. CPS will be led once again by longtime successful coach, Jack Coakley. Despite losing key members from their top 5 (including #1 runner Charlie Sauter), CPS should be competitive again as they always seem to reload following key losses. Head Royce returns the nice one/two punch of seniors Mercer Cook and Walker Holden but will need to find a couple of runners to fill out a solid five.
The team that could make waves this year in this division will be Stuart Hall as they return their entire top 7 from last year. This should be the first time they qualify to the state meet as a team from this division. How competitive they will be in this division will be determined by October as they will have faced many of their rivals at the Stanford Invititational and the BCL Challenge.
The individual favorite as just as clear as the team favorite, as mentioned above, and that will be Josh MacDonald (4:24.65 and 9:37.55) of Redwood Christian. He will have the rare opportunity to win an individual section title in two different sections. MacDonald won the Central Coast Section (CCS) title as a sophomore during RC's final season in that section. The runners that will have the best opportunity to finish in the top 5 will be Mercer Cook of Head Royce (fastest returner), Ned Tannenbaum of SF University, Alex Mattson of RC, Jordan Lee of Chinese Christian, Wayne Smith of Redwood Christian, Walker Holden of Head Royce and Jacob Roth of Berean Christian.
Unlike the boys, the girls' team race will be quite competitive. As is usually the case with girls' teams, many schools return the majority of their rosters mostly intact. You would think that the favorite at this point has to be the defending champions, Marin Academy, which also has the defending individual champion, Lucy McCullough. They won their first section title in cross country last year as well as their first state meet plaque with their 3rd place finish. Including McCullough, MA returns 6 out of their top 7 from last year.
Considering all that, my favorite for this coming season will be University HS. University is no stranger to success here as they won 10 straight section titles from 1995 to 2004 and have participated in every Division V race at the state meet since it's inception in 1996. They finished in 3rd place at the NCS meet last year and a more impressive 4th place finish at the state meet.
They return their top five which includes sophomore Holland Reynolds who finished in 8th place at last year's state meet. UHS also had an outstanding track season as the majority of their cross country runners shined at the end of the season such as the following results from the NCS Class A Meet. They are also adding an impressive freshman in Jennie Callan who won the BAIAL cross country final last year by a considerable margin on the modified Crystal Springs course.
College Prep returns one of the best runners in the section, sophomore Kai Wilson, along with the rest of the top 4 runners from last season (Emily Erickson, Adrienne Strait and Sarah Eppley). Wilson finished in 2nd place last year on the Hayward course just edging out University's Reynolds at the finish line. Along with their 2nd place NCS finish last year, CPS won the Track and Field Class A Meet to end this past school year and were the 2007 NCS Cross Country champions.
The battle for the final state meet berth will pit East vs. West as BCL East school (Head Royce) takes on BCL West school (Lick Wilmerding). A nice influx of freshmen aided both teams last year with LW claiming the 4th and final state spot. Head Royce missed making the state meet with their 6th place finish but their front runner, Savannah Ryder, qualified as an individual. Perhaps her experience in Fresno can inspire the rest of the Jayhawks to join her again this coming season.
Individually, there is one clear favorite and that is McCullough of MA. As impressive as her cross country season was last year, McCullough took it to a new level on the track. She qualified for the CA state meet running 4:54.82 at the NCS MOC in the 1600m and had a pr of 2:18.90 in the 800m. She will not only be the favorite to win NCS this year but I believe she will now have a realistic shot to win the state title as a certain Jordan Hasay will be wearing Oregon green (or is it black now?) next year.
Besides Wilson of CPS (26.30, 58.05, and 2:25.18) and Reynolds of UHS (5:25.04 and 11:53.18), the other contenders for top 5 finishes will be Jessica Ho of Chinese Christian, Emily Lewis of MA, Emily Erickson of CPS and a now healthy Margaret Wehner of UHS. The next group includes a trio of freshman who all finished in the top 15 at the NCS MOC and those runners are Savannah Ryder of Head Royce and Lick Wilmerding teammates, Sara Peletz and Rachel Prensky-Pomeranz. The unknown in the individual race will be the freshman (like Jennie Callan) who always make an impact but those will be determined later.
Besides Wilson of CPS and Reynolds of UHS, the other contenders for top 5 finishes will be Jessica Ho of Chinese Christian, Emily Lewis of MA, Emily Erickson of CPS and a now healthy Margaret Wehner of UHS. The next group includes a trio of freshman who all finished in the top 15 at the NCS MOC and those runners are Savannah Ryder of Head Royce and Lick Wilmerding teammates, Sara Peletz and Rachel Prensky-Pomeranz. The unknown in the individual race will be the freshmen (like Jennie Callan) who always make an impact but those will be determined later.
2008 NCS Meet of Champions (XC) Division V Results Girls
2008 NCS Meet of Champions (XC) Division V Results Boys
Division V Boys (Top 5 Advance to state)
1) Redwood Christian-Can they contend for a state meet plaque?
2) University-Have a strong number one runner in Tannenbaum.
3) Head Royce-Strong one/two punch up front.
4) College Prep-A consistent contender in this division.
5) Stuart Hall-Poised to make 1st state meet in school history.
On the bubble: Marin Academy, Lick Wilmerding, Chinese Christian, St. Joseph Notre Dame, Urban
Top 5 returning individuals, (place) & 2008 NCS meet time:
Josh MacDonald (2) Redwood Christian 15:52
Mercer Cook (10) Head Royce 16:26
Ned Tannenbaum (11) University HS 16:29
Alex Mattson (12) Redwood Christian 16:33
Jordan Lee (13) Chinese Christian 16:34
Division V Girls (Top 4 Advance to state)
1) University-In position to reclaim the NCS crown.
2) Marin Academy-Defending NCS champions.
3) College Prep-Can they put five together to challenge top two teams?
4) Lick Wilmerding-Good group returns from last year.
5) Head Royce-Return top 6 with possible help coming from their MS.
On the bubble: Urban, Santa Rosa Christian
Top 5 returning individuals, (place) & 2006 NCS meet time:
Lucy McCullough (1) Marin Academy 18:35
Kai Wilson (2) College Prep 19:05
Holland Reynolds (3) University 19:05
Jessica Ho (4) Chinese Christian 19:30
Emily Lewis (5) Marin Academy 19:45
Please feel free to chime in on the rankings above. I won't be offended if you strongly disagree as the above rankings are meant to be a launching pad for conversation. Fortunately section titles and state meet berths are decided by the runners themselves. Did I miss any teams or individuals? Any other impact freshmen that we should know about?
With the help of several coaches who have been kind enough to offer their input in all the divisions, I have been able to piece together the rankings for several divisions. One of the coaches who was able to offer his insight is Amador Valley HS assistant coach, Jason Oswalt. What started out as a simple question, turned into a pretty cool breakdown of Division I (girls and boys).
Unfortunately I was not able to post Jason's work on this blog (such are the limitations on blogs sometimes) but never fear cross country fans. You can download Jason's breakdown at the following link. It's a word document and you can locate it at the top of the page link.
http://www.eteamz.com/csuxc/handouts/
If you have any input into this division or you want to be complimantery toward Jason's work, please feel free to chime in below in the comment section...even anonymously.
GIRLS
1 Jessie Petersen 11 Carlmont (D1)
Peterson has won the CCS Championship for 3200 meters as a freshman and a sophomore, winning this years title in a personal best 10:51. Now a Junior, expect her to come into her own and be one of the top runners in the CCS. Having run 17:54 at Crystal Springs and 18:01 at State last year (not to mention her second place finish behind Fedronic in the D1 race) it is hard to argue against her being one of the best runners to return this season.
2 Rachel Hinds 11 St. Ignatius (D3)
There is a strong argument that she is the #1 cross country runner in the CCS. She does Lacrosse in the spring but that hasn’t slowed her down as she has seen steady improvement. The only question is: how will she respond without Daly there pushing her?
3 Marissa Ferrante 12 Aptos (D3)
Having run 18:06 at the Crystal Springs Inv. in 2008 Ferronte will once again battle for the top spot. Having run 4:52 for 1600 meters as a sophomore she battled through injury to start the 2009 track season but despite the late start ran a spectacular 10:56 in the 3200 meters. Her best races have come from a sit and kick strategy which will be tough to do on the hilly Crystal Springs course.
4 Samantha Hamilton 12 Half Moon Bay (D4)
The D4 champion in 2008 she is perhaps one of the strongest runners in the CCS this year. Before getting injured in the 2009 track season she ran an impressive early season time of 5:10 for 1600 meters. She should be ranked higher but just doesn’t have people to push her in D4 to run the fastest time in CCS. She enters the season with a time of 18:32 for Crystal Springs in 2008.
5 Allison Sturges 10 Mountain View (D2)
Not sure what happened at the end of XC last year but she was stellar on the track in 2009 as she finished 2nd in the CCS for the 1600meters. She progressed steadily throughout the season and it should carry over to the hills as she enters the season with a personal best of 18:46 for the Crystal Springs course. She very well could be the number one runner in CCS this year.
6 Lisa Fawcett 12 Gunn (D2)
Top returning runner in the highly competitive D2 finishing 4th in 2008. She ran 11:28 on the track this spring and is posed to lead a very powerful Gunn team.
7 Zoe Pappas 12 Mountain View (D2)
She finished as the #3 runner for Mountain View at the CCS Championship which was an astonishing 5th place over-all! She is the top returning cross country runner from last year’s very powerful team. Expect her to do great things with a training partner like Sturges.
8 Cindy Huang 11 Lynbrook (D2)
Making a huge jump in the 800 meter final at the CCS Championship Huang snagged 3rd place and was off to her first State meet. What is even more impressive is her range as she was not scared to mix it up with the longer distances. In fact, she ran the 3200 meter semi-final the week before she made State. She enters the season with a personal best of 18:46 for Crystal Springs.
9 Claudia Barnett 12 Leland (D2)
Her sister dominated cross country for four years and now she has a chance to get out of her sisters shadow and shine. If Leland can convert their track success to cross country she should have some quality training partners and be up at the top of the leader board once again.
10 Samantha Garcia 10 Evergreen Valley (D1)
This girl had a spectacular freshman year and steadily improved all year. Running 19:31 over Crystal Springs she really shined on the track this season consistently ran in the 11:30 range for 3200 meters and had a huge breakthrough at the BVAL final where she beat Barnett in a personal best time of 11:14. Expect great things from her this fall.
OTHER TOP CONTENDERS:
Katie Castro 11 Los Gatos (D2)
2008 Best: Crystal Springs- 18:57; Torro - 19:34; State - 19:35
Melissa Hopper 12 Leigh (D2)
2008 Best: Crystal - 19:08; Torro - 19:30; State - 19:43
Victoria Tsolis 11 Presentation (D2)
2008 Best: Crystal - 19:06; Torro - 19:51; Track - 5:13 (1600), 2:14 (800)
Kim McMullen 12 Aptos (D3)
2008 Best: Crystal - 19:14; Torro - 19:52; State - 19:26
Erin Hicks 12 Los Altos (D2)
2008 Best: Crystal – 19:18; Torro – 19:40; Track – 11:19 (3200)
Abby Barker 12 Carlmont (D1)
2008 Best: Crystal - 19:14; Torro - 19:51; State - 19:33
Kendra Higgins 12 Valley Christian (D3)
Previous Bests: Crystal - 18:57; Torro - 18:43. Great runner who placed 3rd in CCS (D3) as a freshman but how will she respond after a year off?
PEOPLE TO WATCH:
Angie Korpusik, Presentation
Abbey Blake, Westmont
Linnea Biddick, Aptos
Michelle Hopper, Leigh
Emily Sitler, St.Francis
Emily Blaha, Valley Christian
Athena Alarcorn, Gilroy
Ellie Sanders, Santa Cruz
Kat Grgeory, Woodside Priory
Kieran Gallagher, Gunn
WILL THESE TOP TRACK ATHLETES RUN XC IN 2009?
Erin Robinson, Gunn
Melissa Hastings, Hillsdale (5:04, 11:09)
Morgan Healy, Saint Francis
Jordan Diaz, Leigh
Nisha Parmeshwar, Leland
BOYS
1 Garrett Rowe 12 Mountain View (D2)
This young man is perhaps one of the best runners to come through the CCS in a long time. A combination of talent, supportive parents, excellent coaching and motivated teammates seems to be the keys to success. He returns with the fastest time at Crystal in 2008 (14:56) and an amazing 15:03 for the Woodward Park course. Running 8:55 for 3200 meters on the track at the State Meet he has demonstrated time and again he knows how to peek and run well when it counts.
2 Ian Myjer 12 Mountain View (D2)
If Rowe is to be considered one of the best runners in the CCS this decade than you have to consider Myjer as well. Running just one second behind Rowe (14:57) over the Crystal Springs Course they a the most potent 1-2 punch this season. With this talent at the top, it might just be a knockout for Mountain View.
3 Mitch Moriarity 12 Aptos (D3)
There are a few boys in the mix that can pull the upset and Aptos’ Moriarity is one of those guys. He had a breakthrough season this spring running 9:05 for 3200 meters. The biggest challenge to climbing the rankings is that when it comes down to CCS Myjer and Rowe will push each other for the win in D2, while Moriarity will be running solo at the front in D3 which just might be the few costly seconds that keeps him from the #1over-all spot. It would be nice to see these guys match up at some invites this year!
4 Philip MacQuitty 12 Palo Alto (D2)
Another highly talented runner in D2 is MacQuitty from Palo Alto. He proved he can run fast when it counts finishing the Woodward Park course in 15:14 last year. This spring is where he really took off running 4:15 for 1600 meters and 9:07 for the 3200. If this young man has an amazing day he very well could pull the upset and win the CCS title for D2.
5 Paul Summers 12 Gunn (D2)
Running 9:13 for 3200 meters on the track he improved dramatically throughout the year. Running 15:40 at Crystal something seemed to click this spring. Gunn is a quality program with great coaching, count on him carrying that momentum into this cross country season.
6 Will Geiken 11 Los Gatos (D2)
It is crazy to think that D2 will line up 5 runners who have run 9:20 for 3200 meters last spring. One of those is Geiken who last year ran 15:56 over Crystal. Los Gatos has a tradition of developing talent, and expect this runner to be right up there with the best in Wildcat history. Expect him to be right there with the front pack charging the hill at the mile mark. Like most runners it will be the last 2 rolling miles that will test you. Geiken could very well be there all the way.
7 Parker Schuh 11 Mountain View (D2)
It will be interesting to see how Schuh responds to not running track this spring. He very well could be rested and ready to tear it up, but the guys ranked ahead of him had amazing breakthroughs this spring. If he is anything close to how he ran last year (running 15:31 at Crystal Springs and finishing 4th in the CCS Championship - D2) it very well could be a 1-2-3 finish for Mountain View.
8 Ethan Scardina 11 Carlmont (D1)
Winning the CCS Championship (D1) as a sophomore he is back to defend his title. He missed track due to an injury but will hopefully bounce back strong.
9 Weston Strum 12 Pioneer (D3)
A fantastic track runner Weston ran 4:17 for 1600 meters this spring. He broke 16 at Crystal in 2008 and finished 5th in CCS (D3). He and his brother will be at the top of D3 this year but will need some help from their teammates in the team competition. He could very well could move up the rankings while they are certainly middle distance specialist the only question is how will they do over 3 miles?
10 Luca Signore 12 Lynbrook (D2)
In the mix of the highly competitive D2 division is Signore from Lynbrook. Ran very consistently throughout the track season he ended up running 9:41 for 3200 meters. Running 15:48 for Crystal Springs he should be once again a top runner this year.
OTHER TOP CONTENDERS:
Kranti Peddada 12 Monta Vista (D1)
2008 Best: Finished 4th in D1 (16:25 at Torro); 9:45 for 3200 meters on the track. If teammate Bishop runs could elevate team and Peddada to the next level.
Nathan Strum 12 Pioneer (D3)
2008 Best: Ran 15:49 at Crystal Springs; On the track ran 4:21 for 1600 meters and 1:54 for the 800. No marks for the longer 3200. Will the short speed translate over a hilly 5k?
Kyle Rae 11 Bellarmine (D1)
2008 Best: Crystal – 16:17; Track -4:23 for 1600 meters. A great program that turns out top runners year after year. Count on Rae having a big jump in 2009.
David Perez 12 Salinas (D1)
2008 Best: Torro - 16:11; State - 16:27; Track - 4:23 for 1600 meters. Ran great over his home course in the early season but struggled in the heat at CCS. Had a great track season, could be in the mix for the D1 title.
Aaron Hsia-Coron 11 Anzar (D5)
Won CCS Championship (D5) as a sophomore and will defend his title.
PEOPLE TO WATCH:
Dalton Guthrie, Bellarmine
Nathan Lee, Carlmont
Benjamin Heck, Carlmont
Grant Foster, Prospect
Donald Plazola, Willow Glen
From the 2009 CCS Track and Field Final in the girls' 1600m. courtesy of the Hollister Freelance. Courtney Allen of Hollister battling Allison Sturges of Mountain View down the stretch.
Check out the following lists compiled by Jim Crowhurst in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. As always, Jim does an amazing job covering track and field and cross country in that area.
All-Empire picks
Area includes North Bay League, Sonoma County league & Coastal Mountain Conferense. Not the same as NCS Redwood Empire.
BOYS 2009 ALL-EMPIRE TRACK & FIELD
GIRLS 2009 ALL-EMPIRE TRACK & FIELD
