DANA POINT – Dana Hills track and field coach Craig Dunn didn’t have many good feelings about his boys team finishing fifth at the Orange County Championships on Saturday.
Dunn’s mood had to improve after the Dolphins defeated the county champion, top-ranked Mission Viejo, 77.5-58.5, on Wednesday in a South Coast League dual meet at Dana Hills High.
The victory completed an undefeated run by No. 5 Dana Hills through the league’s dual-meet schedule.
“I’m very proud of my boys, they showed a lot of heart today,” Dunn said. “They earned everything they got today.”
Nick Van Vliet was an integral part in the Dolphins’ success. He finished first in the 100 and 200 meters with times of 11.01 and 21.96. He also finished second in the 400, behind teammate Justin Hunter, who ran a 50.32.
The No. 3 Dana Hills girls team beat the No. 4 Diablos, 76-60, to also go through the league dual meets undefeated.
Emma Kao set the tone for the Dolphins early in the meet with her win in the 800, which she claimed in 2:16.45.
“Mission brings it. Year after year after year, it’s Dana Hills and Mission,” Dana Hills girls coach Ryan Crane said. “I commend (Mission Viejo) and thank them, because we wouldn’t be the program we have been if it wasn’t for them and what they’ve been doing.”
Michaela King ran up to her high standards in both hurdles events as she finished in 15.14 in the 100 hurdles and 43.82 in the 300 hurdles.
The Dolphins benefitted from a sweep of the top three spots the girls 3,200 meters. Christina Wright, Kathryn Kaloroumakis and Sienna Serrao finished in that order to give Dana Hills nine points.
Kennedy Gillian was a star for Mission Viejo’s girls. She won the 100 in 12.42, the 200 in 24.98 and finished first in the 400 with a 56.50.
For the Dana Hills boys, Jake Ogden piled up points for his team with wins in the 1,600 (4:21.19 ) and 3,200 (9:40.42).
The Dolphins and Diablos split the hurdles. Dana Hills’ Grant Bayr won the 110 in 15.37, while Diego Courbis ran a 37.98 to give the 300 to Mission Viejo.
Courbis also won the triple jump with a mark of 43-11.5.
The two teams will see each other again at South Coast League Finals on May 9.
