All three west coast states are now competing and we will start in the north and head south.
Bellarmine Prep Invitational - September 10
Tacoma, WA
Bellarmine Prep hosts the 23rd annual meet on a 2-mile course in Tacoma, Washington. Some of the teams on the girl's side to look for include preseason 4A fifth ranked Skyline and seventh ranked Bellarmine Prep. Some 3A ranked teams include #2 Holy Names Academy, #5 Peninsula, #6 Stadium and #7 Bishop Blanchet. Individually, Eliza White of Curtis, Lily Laporte of Bishop Blanchet, Maisie McManus of Holy Names Academy and Elektra Higgins of Peninsula are some of the individual favorites.
The boy's side of the meet also has a strong field. The 4A ranked school in the meet is #9 Curtis and 3A ranked schools include #1 Bishop Blanchet and #8 Mercer Island. William Schneider and Vincent Recupero of Bishop Blanchet lead the boy individuals along with Owen Powell of Mercer Island.
We will be at the Bellarmine Prep. Look for the photo gallery after the meet and we have West Coast XC stickers for athletes.
Ash Creek XC Festival - September 10
Monmouth, OR
Western Oregon University hosts the popular Ash Creek XC Festival and it is a great early season meet that showcases many solid programs in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon's 6A power and preseason #1 ranked Jesuit is featured in the race as well as #3 6A team Ida B Wells and #5 ranked Franklin. The #10 ranked 4A team from Washington, Eisenhower makes the trip to Oregon in the girls race. The #6 ranked 5A school Putnam is also entered. Sophomore Jesuit athletes Emma Bennett and Maura O'Scannlain, Lincoln's Eva Novy-Hildesley and Isabella Alvarado of Eisenhower could be individual champions.
The boy's race also has several ranked teams like 6A #1 Jesuit, #2 Franklin, #5 Ida B Wells and #7 West Salem along with #4 5A school South Albany. The race will be an early indicator who is the team to beat in Oregon's 6A. Jacob Nenow of Jesuit and Samy Anderson of Lincoln are two individuals to look for to win the individual meet.
Ed Sias Invitational - September 10
Martinez, CA
Campolindo High School hosts the Ed Sias Invitational at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez, CA Saturday. The meet has a number of teams and athletes to highlight. Some boy teams to watch are Maria Carillo, Dublin, De La Salle led by Trey Caldwell, who finished second at the Gaucho Invitational, and host Campolindo. Other individuals to watch at the Ed Sias meet include Aydun Stefanopoulos of Los Gatos, Asher Patel of Miramonte, Mateo Malko-Allen of St. Mary's College, Alexander Lodewick of Campolindo and Alex Lamourex of College Park.
The girl's teams to watch include host Campolindo, St. Mary's College, Dublin, Maria Carillo and Acalanes led by Olivia Williams who finished second at state in California. Olivia will be pushed for the lead by Renae Searls of Alhambra, Gracie Trenam of Maria Carrillo, Ellie Buckley of Campolindo and Sophie Tau of Los Gatos.