The Sonora High School cross country program’s season came to a close just a few weeks ago, but not for two of their fastest, who will continue their quest to be the fastest in the West at the 2025 CIF State Cross Country Championships.

Sonora senior Demiree Dean and sophomore Landon Wilson will compete in a battle for state supremacy this Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno as the only two Wildcats to qualify for states this season.

Dean has been running with the program for four years and has been at her fastest in recent weeks, setting a personal record (PR) in the 5,000-meter race at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Cross Country Meet just a few weeks ago with a time of 19:45.80.

Dean said that her focus on training, optimal nutrition and focus on her workout regiment has been crucial to her success this season — oh, and she said she’s had some pretty good coaching as well.

“I started focusing a lot more on fueling myself well,” Dean said. “Fueling, sleeping, stretching, just taking care of myself more. I didn’t realize that just taking care of myself better would impact my training and help me reach my full potential, but it really has.”

Dean said, humbly, she’s not going to be disappointed with the results on Saturday, just as long as she runs her fastest and competes at her best.

Wilson is in only his second year running with the program, but has quickly made a name for himself in the cross country world this past season, most of the time crossing the finish line before 95% of the field.

Wilson ran a 14:55.40 3-mile race at the 44th Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic earlier this season, and finished sixth and fourth in the sub section and section meets, respectively, in his previous two races.

“The team aspect is the best I’ve experienced in high school,” Landon said of his running mates this year. “I’ve never had a team as supportive as this, and it’s been really helpful.”

Wilson’s got his eyes fixed on another top-10 finish and a PR this weekend, which bodes well for the rest of his high school, and likely college, career.

“The fact I can get my name out there so early is great, especially because I’ll be able to get into tougher races next season,” Wilson said.

The Division IV boys race is expected to start at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with the Division IV girls race to follow shortly after at noon.

Sonora team results from Sac-Joaquin Section Meet

3,400 Meters Freshman Division 4:

Asher Berg — First place; 12:25.60 (PR)

Grady Brians — Third place; 12:38.00 (PR)

Carver Gardner — 11th place; 13:09.60 (PR)

Graham Hart — 32nd place; 14:40.70 (PR)

3,400 Meters Sophomore Division 4:

Isaiah Hill — Sixth place; 12:52.50 (PR)

5,000 Meters Varsity Division 4:

Landon Wilson — Fourth place; 16:31.30

5,000 Meters Varsity Division 4:

Demiree Dean — Eighth place; 19:45.80 (PR)

 

Contact Travis Bradley at tbradley@uniondemocrat.com or (209) 588-4526 for news tips or story ideas. Follow him on X at @howaboutTravis.