2021 State Qualifier Dulce Esquivel returns to the State Meet along with Freshman Paige Medrano this Saturday (10 AM) at Fresno's Woodward Park.  The Harriers will be without the third member of their trio, 2021 State Qualifier Adrienne Frere, but are poised to make a strong showing, despite not scoring as a team.  Esquivel finished 34th last year and should move up a few notches, despite not having a full squad to protect her.  Esquivel has been the Cougars' top runner in every race this season, except the Western State Conference Finals, where she missed a chance to repeat as a member of the first team by one spot.  Esquivel did repeat on the all-Southern Region Second Team two weeks ago and moved up four spots (27th to 23rd) from her freshman season.  She also finished 34th at the 2021 CCCAA State Meet and is expected to improve on that spot this weekend.  Medrano has only outrun her teammate Esquivel in only one race this season, when she finished 11th at the WSC Meet, which relegated Esquivel to the all-WSC 2nd team.  The all-WSC First Teamer has been less consistent than the more experienced Esquivel but has been in top form in her past two races and enters the State Meet ready to challenge the leaders.  Each member of this duo is capable of earning All-State honors this weekend and will be two of the runners to watch.