Also El Toro was 5th and #3 California team. Looks like Crocker is also becoming a real deal. She was their 5 last year until state, then she was their #2. Schroeder is the key. She was their #2 until state where she was their 3. If she closes the gap El Toro has a real shot at NXN.
It also appears that El Toro has no seniors in their top 6 this year. JSerra and Buchanan are young too. Wouldn’t be surprised if these are the top 3 teams in the state for the next two years.
I posted this back in August;
I just watched last years SS girls D2 final. I knew El Toro had won. When I looked up the full results I noticed El Toro has 3 freshmen and two sophomores returning. This team won state D2 and finished 5th in the merger. I know freshmen and sophomore girls don't always improve. If they beat the odds that devastate some of the girls when they become juniors this team maybe at NXN the next two years.
I honestly I see Saint Francis SJS being, at the very least, in contention for an NxN bid in the next coming years. It’d be cool to see both Jesuit and Saint Francis go NxN since they’re both brother and sister schools
Ani Steig is running well. She's a girl they mature ya know.
And Drake High School does not exist anymore.
Not exactly what I was trying to say. Steig had an amazing breakout junior season during xc and track, culminating in 4:51 1600, 10:34 3200, 17:59 at Woodward park, and almost qualifying for state in two events during track— she was their team’s lowstick. With the momentum she had, you’d assume she’d be up with her MCAL rival Allen or with Brooke Lee (who seems to be the team’s lowstick now). I’m just wondering if she was injured or is having a slow start to the season or hit some sort of plateau.
JSerra girls team absolutely destroyed Buchanan at Woodbridge
Turns out Buchanan was missing Sundgren. Their #5 girl at Woodbridge was #2 on the team at Fleet Feet.
I can see the battle between these two teams get closer
Not sure she would have added much help as the returners have all slowed significantly from the same races last year. Now if this team all ran their PR times they could be national champions, but they mostly leave their PRs in frosh year and never go back.
Turns out Buchanan was missing Sundgren. Their #5 girl at Woodbridge was #2 on the team at Fleet Feet.
I can see the battle between these two teams get closer
Not sure she would have added much help as the returners have all slowed significantly from the same races last year. Now if this team all ran their PR times they could be national champions, but they mostly leave their PRs in frosh year and never go back.
They did have a runner go from JV last year to #1 on the team in the sweepstakes race at Woodbridge
Not sure she would have added much help as the returners have all slowed significantly from the same races last year. Now if this team all ran their PR times they could be national champions, but they mostly leave their PRs in frosh year and never go back.
They did have a runner go from JV last year to #1 on the team in the sweepstakes race at Woodbridge
Love to see that. And the 6th runner was also on JV last year. That’s great! I was looking at the varsity returners specifically. The senior on the team at this exact course as a freshman is now almost a full minute slower. The season is just getting started and I would love to see this team at full PR potential to see what they could do.
Just watched the Saddlecup race and El Toro's Lilly Schroeder appeared to be injured. She came in limping and cried from frustration when she crossed the finish line. She was El Toro's 2/3 runner last year. Hopefully it's not a serious injury.
Just watched the Woodbridge race. Appears to be good news for El Toro. Schroeder started off slow but finished strong, picked up 30+ spots last mile and she was closing like she did last year, no limp.
Video is proof of Summer Wilson's kick. Look how far of Williams she is and almost catches Williams. The girl she pulled away from to almost catches Willams is a 2:01 800 meter runner this past spring.
I honestly I see Saint Francis SJS being, at the very least, in contention for an NxN bid in the next coming years. It’d be cool to see both Jesuit and Saint Francis go NxN since they’re both brother and sister schools
They took 8th for CA teams in the Sweepstakes race. They have long ways to go
Turns out Buchanan was missing Sundgren. Their #5 girl at Woodbridge was #2 on the team at Fleet Feet.
I can see the battle between these two teams get closer
Not sure she would have added much help as the returners have all slowed significantly from the same races last year. Now if this team all ran their PR times they could be national champions, but they mostly leave their PRs in frosh year and never go back.
Buchanan’s 2024 Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle times were faster than the 2025 times of the same meet