Oaks Christians (SS/Division IV)

After just missing the podium at the 2021 State Meet, the Lions are more motivated than ever realizing just how close they were to also capturing the state championship.  With a late-season injury derailing those plans last November, the crew returns six from that squad while some new additions may play key roles in upgrading Oaks Christian in 2022.

Up front, the squad returns one of California's best in Payton Godsey (pictured). As a sophomore in 2021, she crossed with the CIF-SS Division 4 individual title (17:21.9) on the Mt. SAC championship course. In the loaded Division IV State Championship race, she placed fifth (17:35.3) and is the third-fastest returner in the division this year. But this past track season, she boasted the best marks in the division with a 4:49.49 for 1600 meters. She placed fifth at the California State Meet in the 3200 meters and improved down to a 10:19.05 for the season.   

But, where Oaks Christian comes in one of the top groups in the state is what crosses behind Godsey. Grace Geyer placed 11th at the State Meet (18:28.2) as a sophomore.  Missing at the CIF-SS Finals, Sarah Colebrooke endured a late season setback and despite not running for two weeks beforehand, gave it a go at the State Meet to help her squad to the fourth-place finish in 2021.  She is coming off a much improved track season that saw her yield 5:17.47 and 11:16.57 lifetime bests. 

Gianna Sanchez returns with a 19:27.4 from the State Meet and ended with a best race (18:54.2) at the Garmin RunningLane Championships last December.  Elizabeth Walker (20:16.3 at the State Meet) and Hannah Webb also return from last year's postseason squad.

Despite last year's fifth scorer transfer to nearby Newbury Park, head coach Wes Smith shared that four new faces will more than make it up for the loss while upgrading the depth of the squad.  

Glancing back at the 2022 track season, Oaks Christian returning five were one of the best in California, with an average of 5:16.02 per girl for the 1600 meters and 11:31.24 for 3200 meters.  

Coach Smith comes into the season more confident than ever, with the group just returning from a solid camp of training in Mammoth.  "The girls are having a great summer; all the markers are well ahead of last year at this point... With a renewed commitment to the weight room, injury prevention, and recovery, the girls are in a good place."

Expect that battle for the Division IV title at State to be as intense as what we saw in 2021, with Oaks Christian right in the thick of it once again!