Inspired Dana Hills boys team wins Dana Hills Invitational
Inspired Dana Hills boys team wins Dana Hills Invitational
September 27, 2008 3:00 AM
OCVarsity.com
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Valdes leads a dominating performance. San Clemente's Dunne sets meet record in girls division.
Valdes leads a dominating performance. San Clemente's Dunne sets meet record in girls division.
DANA POINT - One year and one day after the tragic death of Megan Myers, Tyler Valdes and the Dana Hills boys cross country team honored the memory of their former teammate with a record-breaking effort Saturday.
Valdes set a modern home-course record, and the Dolphins placed five runners in the top seven in the Division I senior race to establish a new team time record at the 35th annual Dana Hills Invitational at Dana Hills High.
“I think that our program was inspired by Megan’s memory and I dedicate this victory to her,” Valdes said. “I felt that I ran a great race today and my teammates were amazing.”
On Sept. 26, 2007, Myers collapsed during a dual meet against Capistrano Valley and died of a condition known as Myocarditis, which brought on sudden cardiac arrest.
Myers competed in last year’s Dana Hills Invitational, the last invitational she ran in before her death.
Valdes anchored the Dolphins’ record-breaking performance, finishing the three-mile course in a time of 14:25.6. His twin brother, Ryan, finished second in 14:49.8, and Zak Phillips (14:50.1) placed third.
Josh Dean (14:51.6) and Anthony LaCambra (15:03.2) both finished in the top seven. Dana Hills finished with a total team time of 1:14.00, and outscored second place Paramount 16-110.
“I’m so glad that they were able to set the record,” Dolphin coach Tim Butler said. “I see them train hard every day, and this is a good group of guys.”
In the girls Division I senior race, San Clemente senior Alex Dunne set a meet record, finishing in a time of 16:33.7.
“During the race, I just tried to think positive and happy thoughts,” Dunne said. “I feel amazing and excited, and to run like this was phenomenal.”
Dana Hills’ Heather Balbier (16:54.5) set an individual school record for the meet and finished second, and Noelle Garcia of Fallbrook (17:39.1) was third.
All five of the Dolphins' runners in the race finished in the top 20, giving the team a score of 53 points to take home the team title. Tesoro (93) finished second, with Aliso Niguel (96) third.
Valdes set a modern home-course record, and the Dolphins placed five runners in the top seven in the Division I senior race to establish a new team time record at the 35th annual Dana Hills Invitational at Dana Hills High.
“I think that our program was inspired by Megan’s memory and I dedicate this victory to her,” Valdes said. “I felt that I ran a great race today and my teammates were amazing.”
On Sept. 26, 2007, Myers collapsed during a dual meet against Capistrano Valley and died of a condition known as Myocarditis, which brought on sudden cardiac arrest.
Myers competed in last year’s Dana Hills Invitational, the last invitational she ran in before her death.
Valdes anchored the Dolphins’ record-breaking performance, finishing the three-mile course in a time of 14:25.6. His twin brother, Ryan, finished second in 14:49.8, and Zak Phillips (14:50.1) placed third.
Josh Dean (14:51.6) and Anthony LaCambra (15:03.2) both finished in the top seven. Dana Hills finished with a total team time of 1:14.00, and outscored second place Paramount 16-110.
“I’m so glad that they were able to set the record,” Dolphin coach Tim Butler said. “I see them train hard every day, and this is a good group of guys.”
In the girls Division I senior race, San Clemente senior Alex Dunne set a meet record, finishing in a time of 16:33.7.
“During the race, I just tried to think positive and happy thoughts,” Dunne said. “I feel amazing and excited, and to run like this was phenomenal.”
Dana Hills’ Heather Balbier (16:54.5) set an individual school record for the meet and finished second, and Noelle Garcia of Fallbrook (17:39.1) was third.
All five of the Dolphins' runners in the race finished in the top 20, giving the team a score of 53 points to take home the team title. Tesoro (93) finished second, with Aliso Niguel (96) third.
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
