Cristy Garcia Wins High School Debut

Sat, Sep 8th - The cross country teams opened the season racing in the 1.9 mile Fastback Shootout at Mt SAC. The day's highlight was freshman Cristy Garcia making her high school debut ran to the front early and won the race by 23 seconds over second place.

The junior girls started the competition led by Emily Fuld (13:17) who improved her personal best on the course by 2:48. Catherine Price debuted with a solid 14:11 followed by Matra Galan (17:34). Michelle Walling (17:54), Jennifer Philen (18:08) and Natalia Dabdoub all ran their cross country debuts.

The junior boys followed led by Anders Reimer (12:45) who improved by 32 seconds and Nick Matra (12:51) improving by 15 seconds on the Fastback course. Shane Tayloe (14:10) who moves from Washington, also debuted.

The sophomore girls were led by Megan Majd (18:09) and Cristina Wentworth (18:10) both debuting in cross country. Jenna Smrz put together a solid improvement over last year.

The sophomore boys were Brian Richrath (12:45) in his first cross country race and Kevin Sutman (14:31) trimming 48 seconds off his best at the Fastback.

Then came Cristy Garcia rolling away from the competition. Cristy joins Roaseanne Fleming and Breanne Strenkowski as OC freshmen who have been victorious at the Fastback Shootout in the there high school debuts. Both Roseanne and Breanne went on to qualify for state finals that season placing Cristy in good company. Cristy is also the third fastest girl in OC history, any grade, on the Fastback course. Niki MacWhirter debuting ran a solid 14:41 followed by Kirsten Temanson (16:58).

Freshmen boys John Gonzales was debuting in high school cross country, but is no stranger to the Mt SAC course having competed here in middle school. John broke 13 minutes for the first time with a 12:59. Devin Long displayed his summer training with a 13:49 debut.

The senior boys closed out the day with rookie Bobby Nordlund posting the fastest time of the day for OC finishing in 12:37 (#2 senior in OC history). Veteran David Goeser (13:20) and first timer Tyrel Borowitz completed the group.

Next stop Woodbridge Invitational in Irvine Sat, Sep 15th.