GIRLS PRESEASON PICKS
Division 2-5
Girls Division 2
#1 Eagle Rock - Coming out of the ‘19 City Finals 2 years ago we would have called Eagle Rock a slam dunk with 5 returning runners from a varsity team that placed 3rd that year. But things have changed and now the Eagles hold the slightest lead over their cross-town rival Helen Bernstein. Keely Miyamoto is starting the season strong with a 19:20.2 at Cool Breeze and looks to have her sights on Bravo’s Angelica Milar for the individual title. Celeste Corrigan is running well and will be an important part of Eagle Rock’s title bid. But they’ll also need some of those runners from the ‘19 team to return to form.
#2 Helen Bernstein wasn’t even on our radar back in November 2019 but since then both the girls and boys teams have put together solid teams. Based on the most recent races Bernstein’s team-time is just seconds behind Eagle Rock. Three juniors - Diana Gonzalez, Xenia Villarreal, and Amy Ramirez - have been the front runners so far. The team is small so depth will be an issue but the time span between their 1st and 5th runner is good and that’s an important factor, particularly in big races.
#3 Monroe is a solid, well-coached team that is in the running for a City title in 2021. Stephanie Jeronimo returns from a stellar freshman year in 2019 and is joined by sophomore Noelia Ortega who’s had a very nice showing in time-trials this summer. The girls team looks to be a much smaller squad than in previous years so it may be a challenge to find #3-#5 runners that can close the gap to their top 2 runners but that is what will be required to win in November.
#4 Bravo Medical Magnet has 56 girls starting this season, more than half of which are underclassman, so chances are there will be some pleasant surprises for Bravo as this season progresses. Their front runner, Angelica Milar, is showing strong in time-trials so far and should challenge for the individual City title. She’ll need some help though to get Bravo past the top 3 teams. Milar and the Knights run their first 3-mile race at Woodbridge this weekend.
Girls Division 3
Most of these teams in Division 3 have been quiet since November 2019 so both the team and individual standings could change dramatically depending on which athletes return.
#1 Verdugo Hills’s top runners Fiorella Aguirre and Samantha Medrano are back and have posted some of the best times in City this season. They’re joined by sophomore Evelyn Mahoney who will be an important scorer for Verdugo. The Dons carry a small girls team in good years so their ability to maintain a full varsity team will be a factor.
#2 Abraham Lincoln had a talented young team back in 2019 but have not run a meet since March 5th, 2020. So in a leap of faith we’re picking Lincoln as runner-up in Division 3 with the hopes that the talented trio of Kimberly Hernandez, Ashley Alfaro, and Yaneli Chimil return. Hernandez and Alfaro made the Division 3 Top-10 list above.
#3 Canoga Park has a small, young team that impresses with what they accomplish. The team is led by senior Dulce Gonzalez, our pick for individual City champion this year. Sophomore Angelina Valladares joins Gonzales as the #2 runner for Canoga. Both girls earned places on our Top-10 list based on their performances at the Ojai XC Invite this past weekend.
The top athletes in the list above - Dulce Gonzalez, Fiorella Aguirre, and Samantha Medrano - have all posted comparable times this season so the individual City title race should be an exciting one.
Girls Division 4
#1 Mendez is the clear favorite in Division 4 with 3 returning runners from their dominant ‘19 champion team. Lucia Bautista-Flores was just a freshman when she led her team with a 4th place finish at the City Finals. She’ll be looking for a championship title this year along with her top-10 colleagues Jasmin Garcia and Alyssa Carmona.
#2 Elizabeth Learning has continued to improve over the last several years but will need to rely on new runners to fill out there team. Junior Jessica Hernandez and Senior Vanessa Rosales are the top runners from ‘2019.
Nelly Garnica of Oscar De La Hoya dominated the division 4 varsity race as a sophomore and we have her picked to repeat as individual City champion in ‘21.
Girls Division 5
#1 Rancho Dominguez Prep stands out at the favorite in division 5 race if they can retain their runners from a very young ‘19 team. Four freshman and a sophomore rallied the Lobos to a 7th place finish at the City Championships that year and set the team up for several years of success. Two of those girls, Melanie Davis and Alyssa Lomeli, made our Top-10 list above.
#2 Central City Value placed just ahead of Rancho in 2019 but lost several of their varsity team to graduation since. Senior Jennifer Barrita is the fastest returning runner from that team and is ranked #3 on our Top-10 list.
Julissa Castillo took 3rd place at the City Championships in ‘19 as a freshman in a 1-3 sweep for USC-MaST. She’s our pick for the ‘21 City title.