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Whether they were expected to make it or surprised themselves in doing so, today’s CIF State Cross Country Finals are a special occasion for all who qualified to compete at Fresno’s Woodward Park.

Capistrano Valley’s girls cross country team has made the transition from surprise candidate to regular contender over the last four years. The Cougars made their first state meet in 2012, and they have gone every year since.

Utah commit Ashley Licata is part of a trio of seniors that have been with the program for the duration of that streak. Licata, the team captain, has started all four years. She finished 44th in the race her first two years, and she improved to 11th as a junior.

Fellow seniors Kayla Tresser and Maily Wong were not as fortunate with their health throughout their careers. The Cougars, however, are healthy heading to the state meet. The resiliency to continue to produce despite the injuries is what made Capistrano Valley coach Ken Sayles most proud about qualifying for the fourth straight year.

“Ashley Licata, Kayla Tresser, and Maily Wong are three seniors that started (the streak), and I’m really happy to see them be able to finish this,” he said. “Two of them, Kayla and Maily, could have easily bailed out at some point (with their injuries), but that’s not who they are.”

“To see them push forward and be a power force, it was really great. This is for them. It’s really special for them to be part of that first group and now to finish their careers by sending us off (to state) again.”

Reigning Orange County champions Austin Tamagno (Brea Olinda) and Amanda Gehrich (Tesoro) will be in familiar territory. Fresh off of CIF-SS individual titles, each will be a favorite to bring home a state title in their senior season.

Tamagno, who won the Division 3 crown last year, is hoping to repeat that success while leading the Wildcats to a second straight team title.

Gehrich has waited for this opportunity since finishing as the runner-up in last year’s state championships.

“I’m really confident going into (the state meet),” Gehrich said after winning her first CIF-SS Division 2 title on Saturday. “That’s the race that matters the most to me.”

Gehrich’s top challengers will be Gunn of Palo Alto’s Gillian Meeks and Claire Graves of Citrus Valley.

Esperanza’s girls won their first CIF-SS team championship since 1996 last week. The Aztecs’ final test for state supremacy will be top-ranked La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad from the San Diego Section.

Brea’s girls are in the state meet for the first time in nine years.

Canyon’s Dylan Scarsone (Division 2), Tamagno (Division 3), and JSerra’s Andrew Burkhardt (Division 4) give the county three top-ranked boys in the latest CIF-State individual rankings.