AHEAD OF THE PACK: Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock, whose goal every race is to "just go out, have fun," won several major meets, including the CIF-SS Division II title. STEVE K. ZYLIUS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Cross country athlete of the year: Woodbridge's Babcock

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The record-setting senior wins the award for the second consecutive year.

Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock navigated her quest to be one of the best high school runners in the nation with the same hard-working-yet-modest approach that has been a staple of her beliefs.

“I just go out, have fun, and try to enjoy it,” Babcock said after winning her second consecutive Division II state title. “God is great, and I know I couldn't do anything on my own.”

It's no surprise that Babcock, who is enjoying one of the most accomplished distance-running campaigns in county history, is The Register's girls cross county athlete of the year for the second consecutive season.

“This year has been awesome for her and exciting for me,” Warriors coach George Varvas said. “She has continued to improve, enjoy the moment, and have fun in the process.”

Babcock's season started with course records at both the Hawaii Prep Academy Invitational and the Woodbridge Invitational. Her time of 16:05 on the 3-mile course at Woodbridge was the fastest 3-mile time at that distance in the United States this season.

She continued her extraordinary run through the season, winning the Orange County Championship, the Sea View League title and the CIF-Division II title by an average of 49 seconds.

At the state finals in Fresno, Babcock posted a Division II record 17:04. It was also the fastest time of the meet and the fifth-fastest time in the history of the state competition.

Babcock conceded that one day she will look back fondly on her extraordinary career.

“It's going to feel good to me that I was able to better my times each season,” she said.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com