Division 2
Girls: Capistrano Valley senior Haley Herberg posted the top time (17:29.70) among the two heats with Colony freshman Amber Rios second (17:33.30) in Herberg's heat. Norwalk senior Misty Diaz won the other heat (17:37.60) with Mission Viejo sophomore Ashley Johnson second (17:41.50). Anaheim Canyon senior Sara Leonard and Mission Viejo junior Kelli Hines, two of the top runners in the division, rested in preparation for next week's final. Leonard is the top returning finisher from last year's state final where she was third. She expects to battle Herberg for at least the next two weeks, if not beyond. Hines, derailed by injury last season, will give Mission Viejo a huge boost in the team competition.
Boys: Redlands East Valley senior Elias Opsahl had the top time (15:08.80) among three heats. Ventura senior Alejandro Herrera won one heat (15:11.5) and Channel Islands senior Ricardo Torres won the other (15:19.50). Opsahl was fourth in the section last season and is the top returning runner. Newport Harbor junior Alexis Garcia was second in the heat to Opsahl (15:13.90). West Ranch senior Preston Pope, who just signed with Oklahoma, is the No. 2 returner in the division. He finished sixth in his heat (15:21.6) in a cruise with teammates Isaiah Seidman (fifth in 15:19.60) and Evan Bates (eighth in 15:28.20).