Ranked 29th in the State

With nine state titles under its belt, McFarland is looking for the elusive tenth. Over the past years they were 2nd in 2008, 3rd in 2007, 4th in 2006 and 5th in 2005. So following the trend the should be first this fall.

They have not won since 2001, but with four returnees from the second place squad and a super freshman, who just broke a ten year plus record Junior Olympic's 3000m mark (9:08), this should be their year.

Coach Ayon has done a little tweeking with training this summer and hopes to have his squad peak a little later this season. Last year, they ran into a juggernaut, named Big Bear, that ran the fastest all time state performance as a team in the history of division four. This year Coach Ayon wants his Cougars at top form at the state meet and may forgo some traveling to do this.

DysStatCal's rankings can be found HERE.

Erick Garcia Becomes National Champ & Record Holder

Like they say, the rich get richer! Last fall in Rosedale, I saw a youngster dominate the field in the 4k Run CC Youth Boys at the USATF Central California Junior Olympic Cross country Championships.

Erick Garcia ran 13:22 on the multi-looped 4k course (2.4 miles) at about 5:30 per mile pace here in Rosedale. Eventually he qualified for the USATF Cross Country Nationals in Virginia on 12/13/09 and came in 11th in a time of 13:38 for the 4k.

This past weekend he traveled to 2009 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships at Greensboro, NC and won the 3000 Meter Youth Boys event and set the national record to boot! he ran 9:08.13 and broke the record that had been standing for 16 years.

His 3000 time would be about 9:45 for the 3200. The youth age group is for athletes born in 1995 and 1996. So the athletes are either 13 or 14 for the most part. Erick's brother Eddie ran for McFarland and will be attending Cal State Fresno this fall. Erick will be a freshman this fall for McFarland and may just be the missing piece in McFarland's quest for a tenth state cross country title.

Photos on MySpace HERE.

Story on DyeStat HERE.

Nat'l Youth: N 9:08.86 7/31/1993 Tom Caughlan, Mason City, I
JO Meet: J 9:08.86 7/31/1993 Tom Caughlan, Mason City, I
Name Year Team Finals
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Finals
1 Garcia, Erik 14-46-McFarland 9:08.13J
2 McCoy, Ryan 08-20-Wisc Unatt 9:29.35
3 Wegner, Michael 10 Howard Co 9:48.54
4 Goltra, Aidan 14-38 Pleasanton 9:48.73
5 Roth, Bailey 03 45 Track Monkeys 9:51.53
6 Lawrence, Charlie 08-30-Minn Unatt 9:52.79
7 Rodeheffer, John 36 Whidbey Islan 9:53.07
8 Sargent, Brynn 14-38 Central Va 9:53.84
9 Beck, Wolfgang 36 RainCity Flye 10:06.65
10 Brown, Henry 02-08 Wilmington 10:12.54
11 Robb, Jack 10-32-Co Unattached 10:14.88
12 Brunoache, Demend 02-08 Juventus 10:16.24
13 Castro, Kenneth 14 Miami Dade TC 10:20.62
14 Beck, Jeremy Corona Panthers 10:22.39
15 Hill, Chase 07-21-Belvidere TC 10:28.69
16 Orth, Robbey 26-Texas Express 10:36.07
17 Rigler, Christopher 26-Texastitans T 10:39.01
18 Pantalone, Jordan 01-03 Hmrrc 10:45.10
19 Burk, Braden 07-16-In Unattached 10:45.35
20 Brown, Matthew 26-Texas Express 10:47.87
21 Olverson, Tysson 05-17 Team Ohio 10:48.49
22 Edwards, Terrell 16 Triangle Cham 10:49.10
23 Wamack, Hunter 06-15 Tennessee 11:00.91
24 Loy, David 16 NC Unattached 11:05.72
25 Westermann, Ryan 10-34-Ut Utah Pr 11:12.70
26 Bright, Richard 06-15 Williamson 11:18.60
27 Fanelli, Gary 15-39 Runnin Ren 11:19.84
28 Goldstone, David 36 Federal Wy Tr 11:20.88
29 Matheke, Paul 05-17 Ohio Unatt 11:27.02
30 Comeaux, Michael 06-24 Southern U 13:02.14
-- Walton, Lorenzo 16 Platinum Spor DNF