Are we in the midst of one of California's best underclassmen 3200m classes in history this season?
That's a challenging title to earn, but at the start of this season, the girls are showing they might deserve it. Right now, five girls are ranked among the nation's top ten underclassmen in the 3200m.
Alyssa Gutierrez of St. Francis (SJ) leads all Californians and the nation's underclassmen with a time of 10:27.63, set with a victory at the Bronco Roundup Distance Carnival. The freshman is coming off a fantastic cross country season, finishing as the runner-up at the Division 3 CIF State XC Championships. After such a strong start, expect her to be a key player as the CIF postseason approaches this spring.
Three of the next four fastest Californians come from a standout race at theDon Green Invitational. In this race, Anais Cruz of Westlake ran 10:46.50 to win by outlasting her twin sister Sabina Cruz (10:53.81) and Ventura'sSophie Nuckols (10:48.74). Those three are renewing a fierce rivalry that started last cross country season in Division 2.
Sophomore Emma Alba of Arnold O. Beckman is currently the eighth fastest underclassman at the moment after a 10:52.17 at the Mustang Round Up. This marked a major improvement for Alba, who PR'd by 22 seconds compared to her season best of 11:14.83 at the end of last season.
These girls are among the fifteen California underclassmen who have run 11:10 or faster in the 3200m so far, including...
Could this end up being the greatest CA girls' underclassmen 3200m class in history? Only time will tell.
For now, keep an eye on these amazing women and what they may accomplish this season.
How many will go under 11 minutes?
Will someone run under 10 minutes?
How many will qualify for the CIF State 3200m final?
Are we in the midst of one of California's best underclassmen 3200m classes in history this season?
That's a challenging title to earn, but at the start of this season, the girls are showing they might deserve it. Right now, five girls are ranked among the nation's top ten underclassmen in the 3200m.
