The teams of the CIF Sac Joaquin section gather on Saturday, at the Willow Hills Reservoir Course in Folsom, CA, to determine the outright Section Champions for Divisions I through 5. The top 3 teams from each division will qualifying for the CIF State Championships in Fresno, November 27th. Driving Instructions.
The Placer High Boys and Girls Varsity teams go into the race with a great chance at becoming section champions. The season has been a cavalcade of awards, and a back to back section title for the Boys would be a thriller.
The Varsity boys have two main rivals for the title. Old PVL member, El Dorado, is back and tough as ever. They edged out the Placer team at the second Del Oro 3km meet. El Dorado’s Joe Soik is their #1, and will be taking a shot at the Section title. Sonora High, brings the most weapons. Nick Klein is the number 1 runner in Division III, and ran very strong at SubSections last weekend. Placer’s Christian Finkbeiner is as strong or stronger than anyone in the Division III section. The race, as most races, will come down to the performance of the entire team. If Placer’s Zach Stelzer, Isaac Tripp, Zach Stoll, Viktor Dorofeyev, Cameron Brown, and Felix Oliveros run as hard and fast as they can, the will be hoisting the Section Title for the 5th time in Placer’s history.
Placer Varsity Girls come into the section finals as the suprise of the year. After last years strong year, and the graduation of Shannon Harcus and other strong seniors, it seemed 2010 would be a re-building year. But the arrival of fast freshman Makaylea Mitchell, and the emergence of Sophmore Kailee Warren, and Junior Christina Winters to consistently score at the top of the time sheets, has made these gals the ones to watch. Captain and Senior Kirby Reicks has been the anchor, running and scoring consistently giving the Placer gals one of the strongest 5th runners in the league. With Sophmore Ruth Braica and Junior Kristen Hiatt in top form on Saturday, a section Championship could be theirs.
The Placer Girls face some stiff competition from Vista Del Lago. Who lost out to the Bella Vista Bronco Invitational title to Placer by one point one in October. Vista Del Lago has been without Senior Marisa Mendes for most of the year, but she is on the mend, and has been improving every race. At Subsections, Vista Del Lago looked strong, but that was a week ago, and with each team having different intentions, it really counts for nothing. Saturday will be the day that counts, and a battle it will be. Placer Varsity Girls last wore the Section Championship crown in 2006.
Senior Abby Myrick qualified, with her top 3 place, to race in the Junior Varsity Section Championship race on Saturday.
Placer Frosh Soph Gals look to cap off a nearly undefeated season with a win, and section Championship at Folsom on Saturday. With Halle Ralls emerging as a future powerhouse, and Makayla Ratcliff consistently in the top 3 the girls look unbeatable. Main division rival Dixon, will have to stay in front of Marci Baker, Chloe Wilson, and emerging Sammy Legion if they hope to keep Placer’s Frosh Soph girls from winning the Championship.
Junior Varsity Boys look to bring home a win for the Placer team. Augustus Falkenstein has emerged as the leader of JV followed by William Budrow, Kevin Harcus, Aaron Bloomfield, and Wei- Lung Ho. Division rivals Bret Harte, Sierra and Woodland look to give Placer a battle for the title.
Follow the Placer High Cross Country team in their quest to return to the CA State Championships in 2010!
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