WINNING EFFORT: Brea Olinda's Vanessa Hancock came from behind to beat out Santa Margarita's Katherine Delaney, right, for first in the Division III 1,600 meters Saturday at the CIF-SS Divisional Finals. ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER |
Woodbridge's Babcock wins two races, revels in team title
|
CIF Divisional Finals: San Clemente's Dunne wins the 1,600 and 3,200 in Division I.
WALNUT The joy of another dominating individual performance paled in comparison to the excitement of a team championship for Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock.
Babcock won divisional titles at 1,600 and 3,200 meters to help lead the Warriors to their first CIF Division II track and field team title since 1989 at the CIF-Southern Section Divisional Finals on Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College.
“It's amazing to win the team title, and I'm proud of everyone,” Babcock said. “It's nice to win it for Coach (George Varvas) since he puts in so much work for us.”
Despite temperatures that hovered in triple digits for most of the meet, the Washington-bound senior displayed her usual dominance in winning both titles for the second consecutive year.
She took control of the 1,600 midway through the third lap and cruised in a time of 4:49.32. Later, she methodically pulled away from the pack in the 3,200, winning in a time of 10:42.56.
Woodbridge also received a championship-winning performance from senior Kyle Wolff, who won the Division II 400 title in a time of 56.02.
“It's absolutely amazing to win this title because I have worked so hard for it,” she said.
The Warriors received a big boost from senior Becky Crouse (120 feet, 3 inches), who took fourth in the Division II discus, and they clinched the third team title in school history behind Wolff, senior Sarah Toberty, Babcock, and freshman Gabrielle Scott, who won the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:50.58.
“These girls have been doing it throughout the season,” Varvas said. “This is a special group of girls.”
In Division I, San Clemente junior Alex Dunne continued her stellar campaign, winning titles in both the 1,600 (4:53.89) and the 3,200 (10:49.03).
“I'm so excited about my season up to this point,” Dunne said. “I have been able to post the times that I have always wanted to post.”
In the Division III 1,600 race, Brea Olinda senior Vanessa Hancock (5:03.24) held off Santa Margarita freshman Katherine Delaney (5:04.27) to win the title.
It also was a good day for county pole vaulters, as Mater Dei sophomore Brooke Arthur (12 feet) claimed the Division II pole vault title, with Huntington Beach junior Allison Koressel (11-6) finishing second, and Cypress senior Melissa Morris (11-6) placing third.
In the Division III finals, Santa Margarita's Claire Hawkins (11 feet) claimed the title, with Rosary senior Molly Mahony, who also cleared 11 feet, finishing second based on needing more jumps to clear the height.
In other county highlights:
• Canyon senior Ashley Pyka (131 feet, 4 inches) won the Division II discus title.
• Santa Margarita senior Kelly Collins finished second in the Division III 100 hurdles (14.64) and the 300 hurdles (43.81)
• Edison junior Hillary Hayes (4:56.73) finished second in the Division II 1,600 finals and third (10:56.35) in the 3,200 final.
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
We want our site to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We built this for you. Please take care of it. Tolerate broad thinking, but take action against obscene or hateful material. Make it a credible and safe place worth preserving and sharing.
