MIDDLETOWN — Call it an early “measuring stick” for a Middletown High School boys cross country team that collides with one of its chief North Coast Section foes on Saturday morning at the Lagoon Valley Classic in Vacaville.
That’s how Middletown head coach Don Cobb describes the opportunity awaiting his Mustangs as they go up against Head-Royce, the Oakland school that placed 10th in the state a year ago in Division 5, the same division that Middletown competes in. The Jayhawks also were ranked No. 2 in Division 5 in this year’s preseason section rankings.
With a strong and deep boys team this season, Middletown has set the lofty goal of qualifying for the CIF State Championships in late November. The Mustangs certainly turned in a strong performance a week ago in their season-opening Bill Springhorn Classic in Redding where they placed fifth in a field dominated by large-school teams. Their top finisher, junior Isaac Rascon, came away with a medal (awarded only to the top 20) with a 12th-place time of 16 minutes flat on the 3-mile course, a personal best by 43 seconds.
“It’s big for Isaac to set himself apart as someone to beat in Division 5,” Cobb said with an eye toward Saturday’s competition at Vacaville, which begins at 10 a.m for the girls and 11:30 a.m. for the boys. “We want to run our fastest in November, but it’s good to see how we get out of the gate against one another.”
Each of Middletown’s top five runners will need to be on their game against Head-Royce, according to Cobb.
Laying out a strategy to beat the Jayhawks, Cobb said Rascon needs to defeat Head-Royce’s top runner, Ethan Ash, and that’s just for starters. Middletown’s No. 2, Isaiah Diaz, needs to stay close to Head-Royce counterpart Aidan Wogan; Middletown’s No. 3, Jordan Rego, needs to beat Head-Royce’s Charlie Jones; and Middletown’s No. 4, Tyler Cobb, needs to beat Head-Royce’s Brandon Byrd.
Finally, whoever finishes fifth for Middletown needs to edge out the Head-Royce fifth-place finisher.
“Every spot is going to matter in this race,” Cobb said. “Every person you can pass is going to matter in this race.”
A head-to-head team win over Head-Royce would be, in Cobb’s words, “epic” for the Mustangs.
“The back of the pack on our boys team is hungry,” he said. “We expect to see changes in that group with some of the top seven moving out and new faces coming in.”
The Mustangs certainly face a few obstacles in the early going. Tyler Cobb, one of Middletown’s most reliable runners from last season, is still recuperating from a summer injury that has delayed his progress.
“If Tyler Cobb can come back onto form we can be real tough,” Cobb said of his son. “Our first five would be very hard to beat if he can get back to the low 17s (minutes).”
Cobb has set some pretty specific goals for the meet.
“Isaac should shoot to win it, no less than top three,” Cobb said. “Isaiah should go for the top 10. Jordan and Tyler should shoot for top 20.”
The team’s goal is simply to battle Head-Royce at every turn.
“A top-three team finish would be great. The top three get a plaque,” Cobb said.
The top 40 individuals also win medals.
Girls
The Middletown girls also opened their season a week ago at the Bill Springhorn Classic in Redding, placing a respectable sixth despite being at less than full strength.
“Our girls had a nice first race but have yet to practice well as a unit,” Cobb said. “Brooklyn (Huffman, Middletown’s No. 1) has to match last year’s intensity and Giana (Tyrrell) needs to make this her team and then go.”
Erica Kinsel, another veteran runner, has been Middletown’s top runner in practice while another veteran, Ximena Ramirez, keeps chopping time off her personal bests.
A variety of factors have tempered the progress of the girls squad, according to Cobb.
“Injuries, the fair and an OK summer has them coming along a little slower,” he said. “Whatever Giana does will make or break us. I expect her to rise like she did in track. She has the talent.”
Schedule
After the Lagoon Valley Classic, the Mustangs make their Lake County debut on Wednesday when they host the annual Lake County Meet at Six Sigma Ranch and Winery near Lower Lake. They hit the road again on Sept. 14 to participate in the Viking Opener Invite at Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa.
