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Earlier this season we talked with De La Salle cross-country sensation Trey Caldwell about his junior year and what expectations he had for the rest of the season.
Caldwell came into the season as one of the best in California and had simple goals as the season went on — winning every race.
That was leading into the prestigious Mt. San Antonio Invitational. Caldwell checked that box by rolling to the title of the big race in Southern California.
Next up was the East Bay Athletic League meet on his home course in Concord. Check off that box as well as Caldwell brought home the title in the loaded league meet.
This past weekend brought the North Coast Section meet at Hayward High where Caldwell was once again the winner, and he posted the fastest overall time of the five divisions contested in NCS.
That leaves the CIF State Meet this coming weekend in Fresno. Caldwell had winning state targeted all season and now is the time to get it done.
But it wasn’t easy at NCS.
After going out strong the first mile with a group of 4-5 runners, the group was whittled to three at the midway point, with Caldwell holding the lead.
Then things went nuts.
“I made a wrong turn at 1.5 miles,” said Caldwell. “I fell 13 seconds behind.”
Undaunted, Caldwell picked up his pace, drawing from experiences this year like being down 20 seconds at Mt. SAC before rallying late for the win.
“I have prepared this year to be able to win anyway possible depending on how the race plays out,” explained Caldwell.
And how does he think it will play out this week at State. The race is set for a 10:30 a.m. start.
“I think a variety of things could happen,” said Caldwell of the race. “Someone could be feeling confident and decide to take it out hard, or we could have a group of guys together where no one wants to be that guy.”
Caldwell is leaning towards a third scenario.
“I am thinking it will get pretty strung out over the race,” said Caldwell. “If we are altogether with one mile to go, that’s my opportunity to go. I’ve won this year in a variety of ways so I will be ready.”
Team-wise the EBAL was equally as outstanding as Caldwell.
In the D-I boys’ race, Dublin, California, and Dougherty Valley took the top three places, with the Gaels and the Grizzlies earning team spots at state.
The D-II race saw Granada and Del Salle take the two spots, both qualifying for state.
In the D-I girls’ Berkeley was your winner and will be joined at state by Castro Valley. In the D-II girls’ race San Ramon Valley was the winner, followed by Monte Vista, Granada, and Redwood. All four qualify for state as more D-II teams were competing.
The following are the results from the races involving EBAL teams.
D-I Boys
Team scores (all teams): Dublin 52, California 62, Dougherty Valley 65, Berkeley 66, Castro Valley 113, James Logan 168, Liberty 220, Pittsburg 222.
Individuals (top ten): Olaf Dietz (Berkeley), 15:31.1; 2, Arinn Sagiraju (Dougherty Valley) 15:41.1; 3, Mason Mullen (Berkeley) 15:55.6; 4, Aidan Stone (Dublin) 16:03.0; 5, Eshaan Hussain (California) 16:07.5; 6, Oliver Nickelsen (Berkeley) 16:12.5; 7, Lucas Chang (Castro Valley) 16:18.8; 8, Jonanthan Mills-Lawrence (California) 16:22.6; 9, Tanish Zutshi (Dublin) 16:24.2; 10, Noor TozulAhmad (Dougherty Valley) 16:24.7.
D-II Boys
Team scores (top 10): Granada 57, De La Salle 99, College Park 108, Redwood 119, Amador Valley 130, Monte Vista 170, San Ramon Valley 199, Alameda 210, Clayton Valley 216, Foothill 234.
Individuals (Top 10): 1, Trey Caldwell (De La Salle) 15:08.3; 2, Jack Rattary (College Park) 15:11.5; 3, Niall Monteleone (El Cerrito) 1:29.9; 4, Daniel Messer (Clayton Valley) 15:36.2; 5, Ethan Werner (Redwood) 15:41.4; 6, Tanner Gray (Granada) 15:41.9; 7, Owen Brandeis (Monte Vista) 15:53.2; 8, Daniel Martinez (Clayton Valley) 15:58.3; 9, Eshaan Singh (Granada) 15:58.6; 10, George Mikhael (Granada) 15:56.8.
D-I Girls
Team scores (all teams): Berkeley 48, Castro Valley 64, Dougherty Valley 73, Dublin 84, Liberty 119, California 120, Pittsburg 223.
Individuals (Top 10): 1, Carina Nottingham (Berkeley) 18:24.8; 2, Lianna Lee (Dougherty Valley) 18:25.8; 3, Sabrina Noriega (Dublin) 18:58.4; 4, Alyssa Shah (Dougherty Valley) 19:13.8; 5, Sara Teitelbaum (Berkeley) 19:22.6; 6, Hope Ott (James Logan) 19:24.7; 7, Melia Prenton (Dublin) 19:28.5; 8, Alyssa Chen (Castro Valley) 19:38.8; 9, Audrey Ackerman (California) 19:43.5; 10, Sarah Redman (Liberty) 19:45.9.
D-II Girls
Teams (Top 10): San Ramon Valley 44, Monte Vista 50, Granada 75, Redwood 88, Clayton Valley 225, Amador Valley 231, Vintage 259, Foothill 266, Heritage 292, College Park 296.
Individuals (Top 10): 1, Hailey Gunderson (San Ramon Valley) 18:41.6; 2, Jana Barron (Granada) 18:53.4; 3, Margot Schultz (San Ramon Valley) 19:13.1; 4, Alexandra Powell (Monte Vista) 19:21.6; 5, Allie Turns (Monte Vista) 19:26.5; 6, Peyton Dolan (MV) 19:33.7; 7, Grace Boesgen (San Ramon Valley) 19:34.9; 8, Sade Bumpus (Granada) 19:41.6; 9, Skylar Bennett (Clayton Valley) 19:41.7; 10, Erin Stolte (Redwood) 19:52.3.
NCS Football De La Salle did take the NCS Open division title with a 17-7 over San Ramon Valley but for the second time this year the Wolves played the Spartans tough.
The first time it was a 33-27 loss in overtime. This time the two defensive units stepped up.
So, the Spartans now are the NCS representatives to the CIF State Open division. The Wolves are not done as they will drop into the NCS D-I title game where they will face Pittsburg on Friday, Nov. 24 for the right to represent NCS in the D-I playoffs.
Pitt has always been a source of frustration for EBAL teams over the years when it comes to the NCS playoffs.
But San Ramon Valley has played its fair share of tough games this season, playing De La Salle tough twice and dismantling McClymonds and Clayton Valley.
This is not going to be the toughest test for the Wolves, but it figures to be the most athletic and explosive team the Wolves have faced.
But in the Wolves, it will be the toughest game Pitt has faced this year. It will also be the biggest and most physical teams they have faced.
Since reaching a CIF State Bowl game last season, the Wolves have set a goal of getting back. Friday night at 7 p.m. at Dublin High, they have a chance to take a big step to make that happen.
