Davis' Fiona O'Keeffe, Mt. Spokane's John Dressel highlight high school entries at 41st Stanford Invitational; Alexa Efraimson also expected to compete

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

The 41^st Stanford Invitational brings a wealth of prep and college cross country talent Saturday to Palo Alto, running various distances ranging from 5 to 8 kilometers on the famed golf course layout.

Perhaps the most significant teenage talent competing is former Camas High (Washington) star and reigning Nike Cross Nationals champion Alexa Efraimson, who is representing Nike in the women’s 6-kilometer college and open race at 10:30 a.m. after recently deciding to forgo her senior year to turn professional.

In the high school races, the boys and girls seeded races are loaded with standouts from across the state and West coast, including another Washington-based standout, Mt. Spokane senior John Dressel, the Foot Locker national runner-up last season.

Arcadia’s Phillip Rocha, who has won the Cool Breeze Invitational and finished runner-up Sept. 20 at the Woodbridge Classic, is also expected to compete.

Marin Academy’s Trevor Reinhart is scheduled to race as well.

Davis’ Fiona O’Keeffe, who has won the Davis/Jesuit Jamboree and set the Newhall Park course record to capture the De La Salle/Carondelet Invitational, is the elite performer among girls high school entries.

In addition to Davis, other state-ranked girls entries include Bella Vista, Campolindo, Mira Costa, Bishop Amat, Vista Murrieta, Torrey Pines and Oak Ridge. Bryanna Fuller, won the senior race Sept. 20 at Mt. Carmel, leads Rancho Bernardo and Roosevelt freshman Tahlia Adams will get to challenge herself against older opponents following consecutive victories in the past week.

Flintridge Prep and Mayfield, Prep League rivals and two of the elite girls programs in Division V, could also square off.

Bellarmine College Prep, Davis, Jesuit, University City, Arcadia, Roosevelt and Tesoro highlight the top boys programs expected to race. Flintridge Prep and St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda, expected to battle for the Division V state title in November are also entered.

Marlborough’s Bianca Alonzo and Azusa’s Roxanne Valle, who won grade races Sept. 13 at the Rosemead Invitational, are also expected to compete.

The Division IV boys race starts the 14-race schedule at 9 a.m., with the Division V girls race wrapping up competition at 3:30 p.m.