LAGUNA HILLS- Northwood senior Bethan Knights acknowledged that her pre-race goals at the season-opening Laguna Hills Invitational was to produce an individual win for the second straight season and get a fastest time than she did at last year’s invitational.
Knights accomplished both of those objectives en route to winning the Division 3 senior race and producing the fastest individual time of the invitational Saturday at Laguna Hills High.
“I won here last year and definitely wanted to do it again,” Knights said. “It was a goal of mine to get a faster time than last year and I did that.”
Knights seized control of the race seconds after the start and controlled throughout. She crossed the finish line in a time of 17:36, 40 seconds better than her time of 18:16 at last year’s invitational.
OCVarsity Hot Shots: Laguna Hills Invitational
“My coach and I talked about getting out fast so that I didn’t get stuck in the pack and pushing the first mile,” Knights said.
Knights finished 1 minute and nine seconds ahead of La Reina’s Alyssa Frank who was second in a time of 18:45.
Despite the absence of projected No. 1 runner Grace Schafer due to a lower leg injury, top-ranked Capistrano Valley displayed its’ impressive depth to finish with the fastest overall team time of the day at 93 minutes and 43 seconds.
Natalie Herberg was the Cougars’ top finisher of the meet, finishing second in the Division 1 senior race in a time of 17:56.
She had the third fastest overall time of the day and was one of only three runners to finish in under 18 minutes.
“My plan was to go out and have a good first race of the season,” Herberg said. “I felt pretty good and stayed with the front pack.”
Ashley Licata also keyed Capistrano Valley’s strong effort by winning the Division 1 sophomore race in a time of 18:29, the seventh best overall time of the meet.
“We told the girls before the race to do the best you can, learn something, and have a good time,” Cougars coach Ken Sayles said. “We hadn’t raced yet this season and I was really pleased overall with our day.”
JSerra’s Charlotte Owen won the Division 3 junior race in a time of 18:57 and Corona del Mar’s Raquel Powers took first in the Division 3 freshman race in a time of 19:20.
