2009 girls cross country Athlete of the Year

During her first two years, Dana Hills junior Alaina Alvarez continually flashed the ability that has made her one of the county’s top runners.

But although she earned all-county honors twice, Alvarez was more of a supporting runner for Dana Hills, performing in the shadows of more heralded Dolphin teammates.

The 2009 season would see Alvarez emerge from those shadows, assuming the role as team’s No. 1 runner and enjoying a season that saw her forge her own lasting legacy of winning and leading by example.

For her accomplishments this season, Alvarez has been selected as the 2009 girls cross country Athlete of the Year.

“It was a difficult adjustment, but I have great coaches that helped me be a good leader,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez showed early on that she was ready to lead the Dolphins by example, winning the Division I juniors race at the Laguna Hills Invitational and finishing second at the Dana Hills Invitational.

At the Orange County Championships, Alvarez (17:15) posted a personal best time on the Irvine Regional course, finishing fourth.

However, her best was still yet to come.

Shaking off the effects of an illness, Alvarez claimed her first individual South Coast League title, leading the Dolphins to their 11^th straight team title.

“Winning league finals was a building block for me,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez then turned in her best effort of the season at the CIF Southern Section Division I Finals. On the challenging terrain of the Mt. San Antonio course, Alvarez assumed control of the race in the last mile and sprinted across the finish line, winning the individual title in a meet-best time of 17:09.

“I had the goal to be CIF Division I champion since the summer and throughout the season,” she recalled. “I visualized that race so much, and by the time it came, all I had to do was trust God. It worked out well.”

She then capped her season with another breakout effort at the CIF Division I state final, finishing third in the race with a county-best time of 17:39.

Even with a strong close to the season that saw her ascend into the upper echelon of runners in the state, Alvarez admitted that she is already focused on ways to improve her running for her final cross country season at Dana Hills.

“This season was about me testing the waters to see who I was going be without Heather (Balbier) and Kristen (Parry),” she said. “Now that I have a feel for that, I can train twice as hard.”