2024 Clovis Invitational Girls Preview

The 2024 Bill Buettner Championship Girls Race at the Clovis Invitational is set to be a showdown between some of the best teams and individuals in the nation. This year’s field features three of the top six ranked teams in the country, according to the latest Dyestat National poll.

Leading the way are the #3 ranked Ventura Cougars, headlined by two-time California State Division II champion Sadie Engelhardt. Engelhardt, an Olympic Trials qualifier in the 1500 meters and defending Clovis Invitational champion, is back with four of Ventura’s top five runners from last year’s state championship team, including key returners Melanie True, Aelo Curtis, and Tiffany Sax. Ventura opened their season with a strong second-place finish at the Woodbridge Invitational.

Close behind is the #5 ranked Santiago of Corona, the 2023 California State Division I champions. Led by Rylee Blade, who won the Woodbridge Invitational, and Braelyn Combe, the state 1600m runner-up, Santiago’s depth up front makes them a formidable contender. The #6 ranked Buchanan Bears, a traditional powerhouse, are also in the mix. Buchanan features rising freshmen stars Brooklyn Buckley and Gaby Gutierrez, as well as veteran junior Kynzlee Buckley. Defending Clovis champion JSerra, led by Chloe Elbaz, rounds out the top contenders.

In addition to the team race, the individual competition promises to be intense. Sadie Engelhardt will face off against elite talents like Rylee Blade, three-time Division III state champion Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery, and defending Division IV state champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla. Summer Wilson of Irvine, who opened her season with a 16:19 victory at the Central Park Invitational, is another top contender, alongside other strong runners such as Maya DeBrouwer, Annie Ivarrson, and Keaton Robar.

With Engelhardt, Blade, Thomsen, Dailey, and Combe all in top form, the 2024 Clovis Invitational could be one for the history books. Santiago set the team time course record at the state meet last year, while Buchanan holds the Clovis Invitational record. Claudia Lane's all-time course record of 16:31 (2017) still stands, but with Engelhardt’s 16:40 meet record from last year and Blade’s 16:46, the 2024 race could produce fireworks once again!