Girls Cross Country Second Team

Published online on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

ALISHA BROWN

Vitals: Madera South, junior

Need to know: Won the North Yosemite League (19:24) and Central Section Division III (18:57), and was the second finisher among the section's D-III runners at state in 24th place (18:57).

She’s qualified because: She won the Division III race at the Central Section Championships, running an 18:57 over the 3.1-mile course. She was the second finisher among Central Section runners in D-III at the state meet with an 18:57 to place 24th. She won the North Yosemite League race in 19:24, leading her team to a first-place finish. She also won the Morro Bay Invitational and McFarland Invitational and was fourth in the junior girls race at the Foot Locker Western Regionals. She also competes in track, with top times of 4:54.73 and 2:11.72 in the 1600 and 800 meters, respectively.

The word: “Our goal was to get her ready for the next year-and-a-half and now we’re really going to push it for her junior track season and her senior season,” Madera South coach Rich Parris said.

CHLOE ALLEN

Vitals: Clovis West, senior

Need to know: Sixth in section D-I (19:11) and 75th at state (19:16). She’s qualified because: She finished sixth in Division I at the Central Section championships, covering 3.1 miles in 19:11; she was 75th in the state in 19:16. Allen matched her Woodward Park 3.1-mile course personal-record of 18:29 (that she posted as a sophomore) at this year’s Clovis Invitational, where she finished among the top 10 in the seeded girls championship race. As a junior she placed third in the Tri-River Athletic Conference (18:39) and third in the section (18:55). Allen also plays soccer and runs track for Clovis West.

The word: “She’s hard-working. She is very team-oriented and enthusiastic and a motivator,” Clovis West coach Barbara Bethel said.

DANA SCHMALZEL

Vitals: Buchanan, sophomore

Need to know: Ninth in Tri-River Athletic Conference (19:49), 12th in section D-I (19:47) and 84th at state (19:21).

She’s qualified because: She consistently dropped her times from last season. She was ninth at the Tri-River Athletic Conference championships in 19:49 (14th in 20:04 last year), 12th in Division I at the Central Section Championships in 19:47 (17th in 20:12 last year) and 84th at state in 19:21 (112th in 19:53 last year).

The word: “She’s really worked hard,” Buchanan coach Marty Simpson said. “She’s had her ups and downs this year, but she’s worked through them.”

EMILY HAMILTON

Vitals: Clovis East, senior

Need to know: Third in the TRAC (19:14), seventh in section D-I (19:12) and 87th at state (19:22).

She’s qualified because: She missed much of the season with foot problems, returning the week before the Tri-River Athletic Conference meet, where she finished third with a 19:14 over 3.1 miles. She placed seventh in Division I at the Central Section Championships with a 19:12 and 87th at state (19:22). She earned the Clutch Performer Award for the Clovis East girls cross country team.

The word: “She’s very talented and she worked really hard and came back and I am very proud of her,” Clovis East coach Jim Farmer said.

ASHLEY KATCHADOURIAN

Vitals: Clovis East, senior

Need to know: Fifth in TRAC (19:23), eighth in section (19:16) and 96th at state (19:32).

She’s qualified because: A team captain, she finished fifth at the Tri-River Athletic Conference championships with a 19:23 over 3.1 miles. She placed eighth in Division I at the Central Section Championships (19:16) and 96th at state (19:32). She was named Runner of the Year for Clovis East’s girls cross country team.

The word: “We leaned on her all year. She’s a great example of how hard work pays off,” Clovis East coach Jim Farmer said.