Northern Section XC Season In Review

BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR


CHARLIE GIANNINI (Chico, Sr.)

After winning a second consecutive NS title and selflessly joining with his teammates to help Paradise senior Gabe Price hit a qualifying mark for State, Giannini went on to place sixth in the Division III final at the State Meet. His time of 15:34.50 was well back of division winner Liam Anderson (a two-time D-III champion who would go on to win at NXN), but a major year-over-year improvement from his 22nd place finish as a junior and nearly 40-second improvement on the Woodward Park course while also establishing a PR for 5K.


GIRLS RUNNER OF THE YEAR


PAYTON OSBORNE (Foothill Palo Cedro, Sr.)
After losing an early lead at the section final and placing second, Osborne rebounded with a strong State Meet, placing eighth in Division III. Her time of 18:39.60 established a 5K PR and was a 60-place improvement and 1:24.60 time improvement YOY at State. It also helped Foothill to an eighth pace team finish in a field of 25.


BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR


CHICO -- Won the NS title for the third year in a row, placed seventh at the CIF-State Championships in a 24-team division, and showed tremendous character in traveling to join those helping a runner, Gabe Price, from a rival school, Paradise, run a State Meet qualifying time. 



GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR


FOOTHILL PALO CEDRO -- It took one of the fastest team times in NS history to win the fastest team race in section history and then they went on to a top-third placing at the State Final.