Thousands of athletes competed in high school sports in Orange County during the 2007-08 school year, and it was difficult enough just to select the best in each invidual sport.

Try selecting the best athletes for all of Orange County.

We did.

Woodbridge's Christine Babcock and Orange Lutheran's Blake Ayles were announced as the Register's Athletes of the Year on Tuesday at a dinner honoring the county's top athletes and coaches.

Click here to read about the record-setting Babcock, who also won the award last year.

Click here to read about Ayles, perhaps the best tight end in Orange County since Tony Gonzalez.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com