Following some scintillating performances in the CIF-Southern Section Prelims this weekend, the field is set for the CIF-SS Finals.
After Los Alamitos’ latest assault on the county record book, the Griffins’ girls team has to be considered one of the favorites to take home the Division 1 title on Saturday at Cerritos College.
Sara Limp’s efforts in the 100 meters (11.94) and the 200 (24.18) this past Saturday at Trabuco Hills High moved her into third all-time in the county.
Ashley Willingham’s personal best of 55.12 in the 400 landed her in fourth in the county record books for the event. She is currently third in the state.
Katie Izzo won her heats in the 800 and the 3,200, and both of the Griffins relays teams were at the top of their game, ensuring that Los Alamitos will have many chances to score points at the CIF-SS Finals this weekend.
In Division 3, All County distance runners Austin Tamagno (Brea Olinda) and Andrew Burkhardt (JSerra) qualified in the 1,600 and the 3,200, respectively.
Tamagno’s season-best time of 4:04.59 at the Azusa Distance Meet of Champions in March is just a few seconds behind the CIF record of 4:00.83, set by Trabuco Hills’ Jantzen Oshier in 2011.
Anuare Magana (Costa Mesa) advanced in both distance races, and Zachary Joseph (Yorba Linda) also qualified in the 1,600.
– ANDREW TURNER, Contributing writer
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Both the Huntington Beach and Saddleback Valley Christian boys volleyball teams are attempting to make history as they search for their third consecutive CIF title.
To advance to Saturday’s finals, both teams will have to get through a familiar foe.
The top-seeded Warriors (Division 4) will host fourth-seeded Santa Ynez on Wednesday. The teams met in pool play in the Dos Pueblos Invitational in March. The Warriors won in two sets, 25-17, 25-15.
In Division 1, Huntington Beach, which will attempt to win its 100th consecutive victory, will host Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach. The Oilers have defeated the Mustangs twice, once in the Best of the West Invitational in March and in the final match of the regular season, May 7.
The Mustangs are one of four teams to take a set from the Oilers this season.
In the bottom half of the bracket, Corona del Mar visits second-seeded Loyola of Los Angeles. The Cubs have won both of the teams’ meetings this season – a three-set sweep in Santa Barbara and a four-set victory in a nonleague match, April 22.
Fourth-seeded Laguna Beach will host top-seeded Oak Park. The teams haven’t met this season.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
LACROSSE
Sometimes getting a team to believe is the greatest challenge of the season.
For the St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team, that moment came toward the end of the regular season and in a loss.
“This was fun, because I don’t necessarily think they really believed,” Coach Glen Miles said. “I kept trying to tell them that they could do it, but I’m not sure they really believed until we competed with CdM that first time (a 7-5 loss, April 22).
“Then they felt like OK, we will be OK and we can play with everybody.”
The Tartans closed the season winning six consecutive games to claim their second U.S. Lacrosse Orange County and Southern Section titles in three years.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
WRESTLING
Scott Lawson is stepping down as wrestling coach at Villa Park, he confirmed last week.
Lawson will be replaced by Aaron Cross, who was on the Spartans’ staff and was the 2011-12 Orange County Register wrestling coach of the year.
Lawson underwent surgery in October to have two discs replaced in his neck. He is scheduled for more surgery.
“I probably came back sooner than I should have,” Lawson said. “My body is feeling it. It is time to pass things along to a new generation.”
Lawson said he will remain at Villa Park as a teacher and believes the program will be in good hands with Cross.
“He has the experience and he knows the school,” Lawson said.
– DAMIAN CALHOUN
