GIRLS’ FIRST TEAM

Julie Allen

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY JUNIOR

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The 1999 Times’ Orange County runner of the year had the fastest time at the Orange County Championships for the second consecutive season, but this year she did it in the sweepstakes race against the county’s best. Allen was fourth at the Southern Section Division I finals and finished third at the state finals. She also broke four course records this season and defended her Sunset League title.

Kristen Berglas

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WOODBRIDGE SOPHOMORE

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A model of consistency this season, finishing fifth in the section Division II finals with the sixth-fastest time among county runners. Berglas also finished eighth in the sweepstakes race at the county championships and 22nd at the state finals. Ranked as high as third nationally in 5K road racing by the USTAF, she led the Warriors to a Division I state title as a freshman.

Alison Costello

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ESPERANZA SOPHOMORE

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Never had a bad race. Costello finished fifth in the sweepstakes race at the county championships, then bettered that with a fifth-place finish at the section Division I finals. Her section time was fourth-fastest among county runners. She ran even stronger at the state finals, finishing seventh in the top division with the third-fastest time among county runners. Costello will be one to watch.

Lori Mann

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SANTA MARGARITA SENIOR

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Makes her third consecutive appearance on the first team, a credit to her determination after battling injuries and illness the past two years. Mann finished fourth in the sweepstakes race at the county championships and then took third at the section Division II finals. Her time was third-fastest among county runners. Mann capped her cross-country career with an 11th-place finish at the state finals.

Jenny Sears

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MATER DEI JUNIOR

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First-team selection for second consecutive year after securing a spot on the second team as a freshman. She finished third behind Allen and Steen at the county championships, finished fourth at the section Division II finals and eighth at the state finals. It marks the second consecutive season Sears has had one of the county’s top five times in these three key meets.

Amber Steen

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NEWPORT HARBOR SENIOR

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Defended her section Division II title by 11 seconds, avoiding contact with Agoura’s Laura Jakosky, who threw some elbows last season as Steen passed her near the finish line. Steen was also the county’s top performer at the state finals, finishing fifth in 17:50. She defended her Sea View League title and finished second to Allen in the sweepstakes race at the county championships.

Britney Webster

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CAPISTRANO VALLEY SOPHOMORE

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Webster, like Costello, played club soccer throughout the season, but stayed strong and healthy enough to deliver consistently strong performances. Webster went undefeated in the South Coast League, won the Division II race at the the county championships and finished 12th at the section Division I finals. Her times at the county and section championships were among the top eight in the county.

Beth Niednagel

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DANA HILLS COACH

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In her third season at Dana Hills, Niednagel had the Dolphins performing at their best at the Division I state finals, where three sophomores and a freshman led them to a third-place finish and the county’s fastest team time. Niednagel, who is married to former Dana Hills runner Dan Niednagel, also guided the Dolphins to a third-place finish at the section finals.

GIRLS’ SECOND TEAM

MEGHAN BELLOTTI, Woodbridge, Jr.

Finished 10th at the county championships, 12th in the section Division II finals and 30th at state.

TARRAH CROWLEY, Dana Hills, So.

Finished 13th at the county championships, 13th at the section Division I finals and 11th at state.

EMILY HAIGH, Foothill, Jr.

Finished 18th at the county championships and section Division II finals, placed 21st at state.

JESSICA KANIN, Woodbridge, Sr.

One of three strong links for the Warriors, Kanin finished seventh at the county championships and section Division II finals, 43rd at state.

NATALIE PERKINS, Pacifica, Sr.

Finished fourth at the section Division III finals and 21st at state. Won Garden Grove League title to help Mariners win their eighth straight.

KATIE STRACHAN, Foothill, So.

A second-team selection as a freshman, Strachan finished ninth at the section Division II finals and 31st at state. Won Century League title.

JENNY THUNE, Brea Olinda, Sr.

Finished sixth at the county championships, 15th at the section Division II finals and 62nd at state. Set course record at Craig Park to win fourth consecutive Orange League title.