Scott stars at Trabuco Hills Invitational

MISSION VIEJO- The season’s second month of competition began much the way the first month ended for Woodbridge senior Gabrielle Scott, who continues to be the state’s standard of excellence in the 800.

Scott lowered her state-leading time to 2:10.60 to win an exciting 800 race at the 20th annual ASICS Trabuco Hills Invitational Saturday at Trabuco Hills High.

“I got out fast and felt good about the race,” Scott said. “The time shows that I’m in shape and I was happy with first pace.”

Click here to see photos from Saturday's meet.

Click here to read the boys story from the meet.

Scott was in control of the race early and appeared headed for a comfortable win, but JSerra senior Katherine Delaney made a late over the final 200 meters and the two runners were nearly side by side before Scott edged Delaney (2:10.76) at the finish line.

"On the last lap, I didn’t really know she (Delaney) was that close to me and picked it up to make sure I got the win,” she said.

Later, Scott (56.01) closed well down the final 50 meters to finish second in the 400 behind Serra sophomore Chimere Ezuah (55.32).

Trabuco Hills junior Cassandra Smith, who entered the meet as the county leader in the triple jump, delighted the home fans by finishing first with a jump of 37-7¾.
    
“My season has been going pretty good so far and it’s always nice to be at our home field where I feel comfortable,” Smith said.
    
St. Margaret’s junior Chelsie Churchill (36-9) was second, while Mission Viejo senior Alex Gaines (36-8) finished in third place.

Tesoro senior Nicci Corbin moved into the county’s top 10 in the 1,600, taking the lead late in the race and winning in a personal-best time of 5:04.41.

“My mindset was to stick with the lead pack and I wasn’t able to do that in the first two laps, so I made my move in the third lap,” Corbin said. “I just went for it and was able to go around everybody.”

Warren’s Danielle Rodriguez (5:05.24) was second, with St. Margaret’s Sarah Paddon (5:07.84) crossing the finish line in third.

Los Alamitos senior pole vauler Carissa Culver survived swirling late afternoon winds to take home the top spot in the pole vault with a clearance of 11-3.

“Today, I wanted to come in and start on a new pole that I’ve been trying to get on, but I couldn’t because of the wind,” Culver said. “I’m just going to have to work harder in practice and take more jumps and attempts on the bigger pole until I can it right.”

Edison’s Monica Danielson, Huntington Beach’s Amy Loschiavo, and Newport Harbor’s Allison Krugman finished in a three-way tie for second place with clearances of 10-9.

A late surge helped Dana Hills senior Alaina Alvarez claim victory in the 3,200 invitational in a seasonal-best time of 10:59.83. Woodbridge junior Nicole “Coco” Evans and Corona del Mar junior Ashlee Powers (11:10.77) rounded out the top three.
    
Canyon senior Kiana Henry (15.54) finished third overall behind Long Beach Poly senior Melia Cox (14.27) and Serra senior Deena Price 14.90) in the 100 hurdles.
    
Henry also produced her best effort of the season in the long jump, finishing third with a jump of 17-10½. Bishop Amat senior Kylie Price (19-1) won the competition by becoming only the second jumper this season to surpass 19-feet.
    
Los Alamitos took home the top spot in the 1,600 Sprint Medley, winning in a time of 4:16.31.