Woodbridge's Babcock ran with speed, class

In the true manner of greatness, Woodbridge senior Christine Babcock's final high school track and field event emphatically cemented her legacy as one of the sport's greatest prep runners.

It was also the end of a spectacular journey, one that saw Babcock become the modern standard for running excellence in Orange County.

For her unparalleled level of success and accomplishments, Babcock has earned the award as the Register's girls track and field Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season.

“For me, running is something that I don't do for the accolades,” said Babcock. “I feel as though God has blessed me with this ability and I don't want to waste it.”

Babcock's individual success enhanced her team, as her two victories at the CIF-SS Division II Finals helped spur the Warriors to their first divisional title since 1989. But Babcock said the team's success brought her more joy than her personal accomplishments.

“I feel that it's more rewarding when many people contribute to success than just one person,” she said.

Babcock's season hit a highlight at the CIF-SS Masters Meet, where on a cool night, she dazzled the Cerritos College crowd by breaking the national high school federation 1,600 record with a time of 4:36.57.

However, that record didn't even have time to be officially ratified by the CIF governing body before she lowered the time by nearly three seconds at the CIF State Championships, winning her third consecutive 1,600 state title in a breathtaking 4:33.82.

She became only the third female since 1974 to win three consecutive 1,600 titles. Her time is the second fastest in high school history, trailing former University star Polly Plummer's all-time mark by only 17 hundredths of a second.

As she prepares to take her extraordinary talents next year to Washington, Babcock has a message to those who look to up to her legacy of success and humility.

“Keep working hard and stay humble,” she said.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com