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MISSION VIEJO- Competing for the final time against many of the county’s best, St. Margaret’s senior Billy Gaudreau enjoyed producing a stellar distance double.

Gaudreau produced the sixth best 1600 time in the nation and won the 3200 at the 2012 Orange County Championships Saturday at Mission Viejo High.

“To close out the Orange County Championships in my senior year means a lot to me,” Gaudreau said. “This meet has a lot of prestigious.”

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OCVarsity Hot Shots: O.C. Track Championships

Orange County Championships: Results

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Gaudreau began the day with a comeback effort in the 1600. He trailed Woodbridge senior Dragan Simic over the first three laps of the race, but surged to the lead on the bell lap with about 300 meters to go. He then extended the lead over the next 200 meters to win in a time of 4:11.12.

That time is currently the best in the county, third best in the state, and the sixth fastest in the country.

“I was hoping the pace would be slow, but it didn’t work out as planned,” Gaudreau said. “I wasn’t expecting that and I was trailing him until about 600 meters to go and knew it was time to make my move and close it out.”

Simic finished second in the race with a time of 4:15.18, with Fountain Valley senior Jay Bonthius coming in third in a time of 4:16.63. Both athletes are now among the top 20 in the state.

In the 3200, Gaudreau (9:17.65) seized the lead for good in the seventh lap and held off Esperanza senior Amar Dholakia (9:19.47) for the win.

“I knew there would be some guys taking it out and I just tried to position myself in the front pack,” said Gaudreau. “I turned up the intensity with about 1000 meters to and that worked out for me.”

San Clemente senior Herbert Gamboa closed out an impressive week with another big win in the 100.

After running a wind-legal lifetime best of 10.64 in dual meet action on Wednesday, Gamboa exploded out the blocks and streaked to the win in a time of 10.57. Though the time was wind-aided, it was the third best under all conditions in the state this season.

“I just ignore everything around me and do my own thing,” Gamboa said. “Hopefully the hard work continues to pay off.”

Mater Dei senior Austin Hazel and Loara senior Kezue Nwachie were both credited with a time of 10.69. 

Hazel rebounded in the 200, outsprinting Gamboa late to clock the victory in a wind-aided time of 21.66. Gamboa was second in a time of 21.87.

“He (Gamboa) beat me in the 100 and I knew he was going to get out hard in the 200,” Hazel said. “Coming around that last 100, I just gave it all the energy I had left and it paid off.”

He also won the long jump (21-11¾), edging out El Toro senior Justin Schneider (21-11½).   

“I commended my coaches for helping me out and keeping me relaxed,” Hazel said.

Simic (1:55.97) won the county title in the 800, rallying past Corona del Mar senior Kyle Iverson (1:56.59) who was second.

“I haven’t trained for the 800 and didn’t think I had the ability to win,” Simic said. “I was boxed in pretty good but knew an opening would come up. Once I got to the outside, I just kept going.”

Mater Dei senior and county leader Corey Hammond continued his strong season in the 300 hurdles, winning the title in a time of 38.41.

“Everything about this is practicing with the coaches working on technique and knowing when to kick it in,” Hammond said. “Overall this race is a sprint and it’s about keeping your steps and keeping the endurance up. The victory is all about hard work.”

Huntington Beach senior Ramon Vargas successfully defended his 110 hurdles title from last season. Using a strong kick over the second half of the race, he posted a wind-legal seasonal best time of 14.77 and was the only competition to finish sub-15 seconds.

“I was better feeling better during the middle of the race as I started to get over the hurdles and I finished pretty strong,” Vargas said. “It feels good winning this title in back to back years.”

Los Alamitos (42.25) captured its second consecutive 400 relay title, with Corona del Mar (3:20.20) winning the 1600 relay.

Other event winners included: Orange Lutheran sophomore Myles Hawkins (45-3½) in the triple jump, Mater Dei senior Michael Rovzar clearing of 14 feet, nine inches in the pole vault, Mission Viejo junior Sage Stone (6-4) in the high jump, Servite senior Connor Einck (55-5) in the shot put, and Friars senior Julian Lujan (49.70) in the 400.

Mater Dei (73 points) won the boys team title for the first time ever, ending Dana Hills’ record setting four-year run. Mission Viejo (59) and Orange Lutheran rounded out the top teams.

“We believe in team first and we put emphasis on whatever it takes to do well for the team,” Monarchs coach Rick Martinez said. “This victory will make them proud and prove to them they are a very good team.”