MISSION VIEJO – On the county’s premier regular season stage, Marina senior Laura Hollander once again proved to be a standout star.
Hollander produced the top time in the state and the No. 2 time in the country to win the 1600 and then added the 3200 title at the 2012 Orange County Championships Saturday at Mission Viejo High.
“After winning the 1600, I was excited to come back out and run the 3200,” Hollander said. “It was lot harder than I expected, but I came out and tried my best.”
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OCVarsity Hot Shots: O.C. Track Championships
Orange County Championships: Results
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Hollander’s big day began in the 1600. Taking the lead in the first 200 meters of the race, Hollander was in control and extended the lead over the final three laps to clock a lifetime best of 4:48.86.
“My coach wanted me to get out and settle into the race, which is harder to do once the race starts,” Hollander said. “I tried to save a little more in the second lap, and knew in the third lap, that I would be okay in the final lap.”
Woodbridge senior Molly Babcock improved her lifetime best to 4:54.40 to place second, with Vikings senior Emily Taylor clocking a lifetime best 4:55.02 to place third. Both times times, along with the fourth place finish of Crean Lutheran freshmen Lauren Maurer (4:56.67) are currently ranked in the top 12 among all state runners.
Later, Hollander and Newport Harbor junior Paige Tennison broke away from the main pack early in the 3200 before Hollander (10:23.15) eventually pulled away from Tennison (10:44.70 for the victory.
It was also an impressive double victory for Aliso Niguel junior Danielle Darden. She began her day with an impressive surge over the final half of the 100 to finish first in a wind-aided time of 12.06, her best time of the season under all conditions.
Later in the 200, she accelerated well around the curve and held the lead down the final straightaway to win in a time 25.03.
“This was a fun day,” Darden said. “I will take this as a good milestone to see where I’m at and will try to find more ways to improve.”
Santa Margarita freshman pole vaulter Kailtyn Merritt narrowly missed three attempts at setting a national high school federation record clearance of 13-3, winning with an official clearance of 12-9.
“My goal is always to come out and try to get a new PR,” Merritt said. “I was trying to clear 13-3 and that will be the same goal in the next meet too.”
Irvine junior Shema Terry lowered her seasonal best to 57.07 in a winning effort in the 400.
“I started off sprinting because if you don’t, you won’t get up to your full capacity,” Terry said. “Once I got around the curve, I just tried to bring it in. My training is making me better.”
Santa Margarita junior Alex Gilbert was the only other runner to finish in under 58 seconds, finishing second in a time of 57.81.
In the 100 hurdles, San Clemente junior Brittany Thornton found a late burst over the final two hurdles to pull out the win in a time of 15.43.
“I saw one of the Dana girls coming up and I told myself that I had to beat her,” Thornton said. “I have come a long way and my coaches have also trained me really nicely.”
Dana Hills junior Brenna Barker enjoyed a stellar overall day of competition. She won the triple jump in a lifetime best of 38-10½ and the high jump (5-4½). Barker (17-3) was also second in the long jump to Los Alamitos junior Jordan Agnew (17-9).
“Winning the triple jump with a PR was awesome and felt really good.” Barker said. “I was excited to get second in the 100 hurdles and though it was my PR, I was satisfied with my effort in the long jump.”
Propelled by a strong burst late in the race, Santa Margarita sophomore Caroline Hilley won the 300 hurdles in a time of 44.65.
“I had a lot of pressure because I felt that I didn’t do my best in the 100 hurdles,” Hilley said. “I told myself I really had to go out and win the 300 to be a county champion and I was able to do that.”
In the 800, Mater Dei sophomore Ashlyn Rambo (2:14.28), who held off San Juan Hills senior and county leader Chelsea Kruthers (2:15.35).
“It was a tough race, but coming around that last turn, I just give it my all,” Rambo said. “This is a good indicator of the competition I will see at CIF.”
Mission Viejo junior Jackie Chasteler (36-0¼) finished first in the shot put.
“Though I didn’t get a personal record, it is really good to win at home and get points for the team,” Chasteler said.
Mater Dei senior Kara Caskey had a lifetime best throw of 140-0 to win the discus.
Capistrano Valley (48.03) edged Mater Dei (48.04) to claim the 400 relay title. The Monarchs took home the victory in the 1600 relay with a time of 3:53.60.
The Monarchs (83 points) claimed their second straight county title. Dana Hills (78) was second, with Santa Margarita (67) coming in third.
“We had a lot of people step up today,” Monarchs coach Rick Martinez said.
