Sac Joaquin Section
Finals
Saturday, November 13,
2004 @ Willow Hill Reservoir
Boys
Sac Joaquin Section
Championship Preview
By Dan King
Division 1
Rocklin(82:16) who finished 4th in the section and 14th at the State Meet
in division 2, last season appears to have strengthened there hold on
the top spot in this division with the addition of Jon Santellano, a transfer
student from Mt Pleasant. Jon did not compete until the Sierra Foothill
League Championships where he was 5th overall and 3rd for the team. At
the Sub-Section meet, Jon (16:01) was Rocklin’s #2 man, finishing
with the 10th fastest time of the day, regardless of division. Rocklin
won the league title by 18 pts over 2nd place, division 3 Placer and finished
1st at Angel’s Camp, beating Sheldon by 31 pts. They were/are led
by Tim Cannon(15:35), Kevin Hougen(16:47) and Shane Bennett(16:42), at
Angel’s Camp. Sheldon(83:39), led by Zac Bowers(16:05), Dominic
Malfatto(16:34) and Derek Baptista(16:57) and Jake Wittman(16:59) will
contend for the title if Kyle Fujitsubo(17:18) can recover from a late
season injury and race at his mid-season level of fitness. Davis Senior(84:17)
is hoping to improve on it’s section runner-up finish last season,
behind the miners of Nevada Union. The Blue Devils have the best chance
to beat Rocklin for the team title. Watching them race on Saturday at
Angel’s Camp, (without racing flats) they looked relaxed and patient,
like a lion waiting to pounce. They appeared confident and glad to take
a back seat to Rocklin and Sheldon. With the return of Thad Sieracki(17:24)
(who had not raced since The Yolo County Championships), this team will
give Rocklin all it can handle. The Blue Devils are lead by Sieracki,
Brendan Gregg(16:19), Patrick Lynch(16:21) and Scott Halliday(16:52).
For a team I have overlooked all season, Napa(84:26) looks very impressive
up front and is not only looking to improve on it’s 7th place finish
in the section meet last season, it is hoping to qualify for the big dance.
In order for them to steal a state birth, their 5th man will have to improve
greatly. There was a 26 second spread between 1-4 but a 51 second gap
between 4 and 5. They were racing without Bo Bassham, which could make
a difference this Saturday. Napa is led by Reid Smith(16:25), Sam Doshier(16:38),
Jessie Fetherstone(16:50) and Loren Newman(16:51). A very talented Nevada
Union(84:40) squad (the defending Section Champions) could contend for
a spot in the state championships, but may lack the experience needed
at the championship level. In the top 7, there is 1 senior, 1 junior and
5 sophomors. The only one’s with varsity racing experience before
this season are Robin Carr(17:31), Barrett Vertrees(17:04) and Parker
Brown. Brown is the only one to race @ the state meet. Leading the way
for the Miners are Andrew Primrose(16:29), Sean Lane(16:51), Brown(17:00).
State Meet spots will go to:
1. Rocklin
2. Davis Senior
3. Sheldon
Individually look for Jake Matthews(Folsom) to win this
race. The other state meet qualifying spots should go to Brad Doering(Yuba
City), Christian Morinico(Hiram Johnson), Marlow Patterson(Franklin) and
Darrell Fernandez(Fairfield).
Division 2
Jesuit(81:06), currently ranked #6 in the state of California in all divisions,
raced with what I would call a split squad. They appeared to be very relaxed
and very controlled. Dillon Ramos(15:57), Michael Salvatierra(16:16),
Phil McKennan(16:17), Michael Enabnit(16:24), Samir Benouar(16:26), Jake
Kelly-Strong(17:08) all raced in the varsity race(81:20) while Peter Ziegler(16:12),
Scott Donahue(16:31), Alex Nelson(16:41), James Laville(16:52) and Alec
Gragg(17:38) raced in the junior varsity race(83:44) or the 5th fastest
time of the day regardless of division. The Marauders also raced without
the services of Evan Watchempino, one of their best! Jesuit is headed
for is 13th straight section title and 21st overall. This team is setting
up for another great State Title run and hopefully a invitation to the
National Championships in Oregon in December. Racing for the runner-up
spot will be Oak Ridge(83:31) and Del Campo(83:32). I believe both will
qualify for the State Championships. These teams finished 5th and 6th
in the section meet last year. Oak Ridge beating Del Campo by 17 points.
At the beginning of the season, Oak Ridge was almost 100 points better
than Coach Bob King’s Cougar’s of Del Campo, but it is what
happens at the end of the season that counts. At Angel’s Camp, Del
Campo beat Oak Ridge by just 5 pts, 115 to 120. I thought Oak Ridge looked
somewhat worn from a long, competitive season while Del Campo looked liked
they stayed well within their comfort zone. Look for a real dog fight
on Saturday. Oak Ridge is led by Jeff Campbell(16:22), Ryan Cosens(16:27),
Danny Diamond(16:45), Scott Crawford(16:57) and Alex Mansoor(17:00). Del
Campo is led by Sean Kelleher(16:09), Ian Hecox(16:44), James Tracy(16:46),
Ryan Garcia(16:55), Vince Bardini(16:58) and Jessie Rushing(17:03). Los
Banos(84:30) has 3 very talented runners up front in Steven Giron(15:43)
and Enrique Sotelo(16:21) while Chad Piva(17:18) appeared to be off. Piva
Will have to move back to the front of the pack, where he has been all
season, and Ivan Bojorquez will have to get back in the mix, for Los Banos
to have any chance at state meet birth.
State Meet spots will go to:
1 Jesuit
2. Del Campo
3. Oak Ridge
Individual Honors for the Division 2 title will come
down to the wire, with the very talented Steven Giron(Los Banos) and Jimmy
Elam(Sierra) battling to the very end. I think Elam will be the victor,
but this is why we run the race. Should be very exciting! The other state
meet qualifying spots should go to Jason Engler(Granite Bay), Richard
Jones(Benicia) and Caleb Mack(East Union).
Division 3
Placer(84:44), racing somewhat conservative, came away with a win at Angels
Camp, but it took their 6th man to get it done. After 5 they were tied
with Oakmont(85:28) at 59. Placer’s 6th was 26th while Oakmont’s
6th was 58th. Oakmont was racing with only 6. In the Junior Varsity race,
Oakmont’s Scott Meak(17:52) and could help at the varsity level.
Could be very interesting come Saturday morning. This could be the closest
race of the 5 divisions. The Hilman are led by Ken Parnow(15:50), Dan
Labrador(16:51) and Josh Vaughan(16:59). The Vikings are led by Erik Arreygue(16:33),
Garrette Infausto(16:35) and Mike Gliko(16:51). Del Oro(85:43) will have
to have a great race (after suffering the loss of their #2 runner) if
they hope to travel to Clovis over the Thanksgiving break as only 2 teams
in this division will qualify for the State Championships. They are led
by Shaun Boyte(16:15), Nathan Spangler(16:49) and Andrew Hansen(16:49).
State Meet spots will go to:
1. Placer
2. Oakmont
Individually: Ken Parnow(Placer) and Shaun Boyte(Del
Oro) will battle for top honors. State Meet qualifiers should be Boyte(Del
Oro), Chris Langbehn(Vanden), Nik Papp(Calaveras), Nathan Spangler(Del
Oro) and Bill Brewer(Sonora).
Division 4
Colfax(84:58) raced to the 13th fastest team time of the day to win their
sub section race by 43 points over 2nd place Escalon. They appear ready
for perhaps a top 10 finish at the state championships in 2 weeks. They
were led by Will Cole(16:46), Alec Reynolds(16:46), Matt Wollenberg(16:56),
Joel Iventosh(17:14) and Greg Reynolds(17:16). Escalon(87:57) is lead
by Mark Backovich(16:28) and Randy Huntington(17:21). Bret Harte finished
3rd in the sub sections but will be hard pressed to send these boys to
the state meet as Amador(racing without one of the sections top runners
in Adam Bates) will be breathing down their necks. Bret Harte(89:30) is
led by a very talented runner of their own in Erik Aardal(16:07)(12th
fastest time of the day regardless of race or division). Amador(90:11)
is led by Adam Bates and Justin Trammell(17:11).
State Meet spots will go to:
1. Colfax
2. Amador
3. Escalon
Individually: I believe Adam Bates(Amador) will win this
race with Erik Aardal(Bret Harte) right on his heels. The other State
Meet qualifying spots should go to Arthur Crist(Summerville), Brian Heilman(Hughson),
Kyle Knutson(Lincoln,Lincoln) and Ryan King(Christian Brothers)
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