67th Mt. SAC Invitational -- 10 Runners to Watch

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Ashley Cahalan, Vista Murrieta, Sr.

Although she isn't competing in the individual sweepstakes race, Cahalan (pictured above) is not only capable of winning her sub-sweepstakes Saturday, but delivering an impressive time after winning the Inland Empire Challenge and taking runner-up at the second Southwestern League meet.

Isaac Cortes, Great Oak, Jr.

After strong performances at the Woodbridge Classic and Nike Pre-Nationals, Cortes struggled at the Clovis Invitational. Great Oak is looking for Cortes to rebound in the Division I-II team sweepstakes Saturday to keep the Wolfpack undefeated.

Claire Graves, Citrus Valley, Soph.

Like Cahalan, Graves has the talent and credentials to race in a sweepstakes field Saturday, but will run in a Division II varsity heat instead to compete with her teammates. It will be interesting to see how fast the state's top sophomore can run in an afternoon race where there shouldn't be many challengers up front.

Emily Hubert, Bishop Amat, Sr.

Although the Lancers -- the top-ranked Division IV team in the state -- aren't fielding a full lineup in Friday's sweepstakes, Hubert has a goal of breaking 18 minutes and wants to challenge herself against Malbu's Caroline Pietrzyk among others.

Tomas Navarro, Salesian, Sr.

With Big Bear's Caleb Webb competing Saturday in the individual sweepstakes, the opportunity is present for Navarro to win the Division IV sweepstakes Friday against a field that includes San Luis Obispo's William Ernst, JSerra's Andrew Burkhardt and Costa Mesa's Anuare Magana as leading contenders.

Stephanie Ortega, Segerstrom, Jr.

Following a third-place finish at the Orange County Championship, Ortega won't be in the spotlight of a sweepstakes race again Saturday, but with increased confidence, it will be interesting to see what she does for an encore performance in her Division I varsity heat.

Enrique Serna, Loara, Sr.

After breaking 15 minutes at Irvine Regional Park to finish seventh at the Orange County Championships, Serna has become a legitimate threat in Southern Section Division II. He will be tested once more in the Division I-II individual sweepstakes Saturday and could go sub-15 again.

Trevor Siniscalchi, Westview, Sr.

One of the state's elite talents in Division II, he is among the favorites to win the Division I-II team sweepstakes race Saturday after impressive performances at the Mt. Carmel, Clovis and Running Center So Cal invitationals.

Jack Van Scoter, Flintridge Prep, Jr.

Rebels teammate Alan Yoho won the Division V sweepstakes last year as a senior, so it could be Van Scoter's turn to secure victory following a third-place finish last season. The Rebels are also seeking a second sweepstakes crown in three years after losing to St. Joseph Notre Dame last season.

Jeanette Zambrano, Bolsa Grande, Sr.

One of the first quality girls times of the meet should be posted Friday afternoon by Zambrano in a Division III varsity race. Zambrano had the fastest time at the Palos Verdes Invitational and won her race at the Orange County Championships, so she has sweepstakes credentials, but will stay with her teammates.