The deeper one goes into the track and field season, the more compelling the matchups become.
That will be the case Saturday when the county’s best compete in the Orange County Championships at Mission Viejo High.
Mission Viejo’s boys will look to defend the championship they won in 2013, while the Mater Dei girls will attempt to win their fourth consecutive Orange County crown.
The Monarchs, who feature sisters Emma and Tara Radan along with Ashlyn Rambo and Jazmin Moss, will face some stiff competition. Dana Hills, which is led by Michaela King in the hurdles, Chloe Deol in the 400 meters, and Claire Kao in the pole vault, will be in the mix.
Los Alamitos is peaking at the right time with Ashley Willingham in the 200 and 400 and Mackenna Howard leading the county in the shot put and discus.
“I think we have to take control and do well in the events we’re very strong in,” Mater Dei coach Rick Martinez said. “And not worry about what other competitors or schools are doing, and just focus on what we are fully capable of doing.”
Mia Hummel, Tai Crumsey and Alexis Turley-Young make Canyon strong on the girls side, too.
“This is one of the meets they (the athletes) look forward to every year,” Canyon coach Dreux Valenti said. “Because they get to go against the best kids in the county … they look at this as the best prep meet before the CIF championships.”
Mater Dei and Dana Hills will be two of the main competitors for the boys title. The Dolphins outscored the Monarchs, 74-48, at the South County Classic earlier this season.
In the girls pole vault, Santa Margarita’s Kaitlyn Merritt has said she plans to attempt to set a county record by clearing 14 feet today. She cleared the height in an intrasquad meet last week.
There will be some interesting individual matchups for the boys, too.
Villa Park’s Garrett Corcoran will try to hold off his Century League foes in the 1,600. Brea Olinda’s Austin Tamagno, who was edged out by Corcoran in the 1,600 last season, and Brennon Koryta will be among the top challengers in the race.
San Clemente’s Kelsey Benoit will takes part in the boys shot put after not participating in the event at the Arcadia Invitational and Mt. SAC Relays because of a bruised throwing hand.
Contact the writer: amorales@ocregister.com
