Southern Section Division V Girls Outlook
St. Margaret's junior Liesel Blau placed third in the CIF-State Division V race as a freshman in 2019 and is the top returner from that meet. (DeAnna Turner photo)
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As we look forward to the upcoming 2021 Cross Country season, we begin our Southern Section Preview with Division 5. With that, the challenge of projecting the
best teams and individuals that pose a greater challenge than ever with the lack of data
that we were accustomed to during the pre-COVID era.
The best indication we have is glancing back to this past track season along with a look at those that were able to assemble a cross country season toward the end of this past winter. As we are only weeks away from the season beginning, let's jump in!
The last time we had a championship season in November of 2019, the girls of St. Margaret's in San Juan Capistrano were runaway champions, outdistancing Linfield Christian (Temecula) by a 54-116 margin. A junior by the name of Mia Barnett, then representing Village Christian, easily captured her third individual title, well ahead of St. Margaret's freshman Liesel Blau.
Fast forward to 2021 and on paper, and eight of the top 13 from that race have since graduated. Blau is the top returner from the 2019 finals to lead her squad to the team title but has limited experience from the past two track seasons since, especially with her success on the soccer field this past spring.
Leading her group to the runner-up plaque, Linfield
Christian senior Ryley Burns placed third at the 2019 
final and has qualified
for the Division 4 finals in 2019 and 2021 for the 3200 meters. Burns (bib 884 in DeAnna Turner photo) is also an accomplished soccer player who earned Division 6 All-CIF honors. She placed seventh this past spring and comes
in with 5:25.04 / 11:24.61 lifetime bests on the oval.
As a sophomore, Cate's Anna Disorbo placed sixth at the 2019 finals to lead her squad to a third-place finish. Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon senior Isis Diaz qualified for the State Meet as an individual in 2018 and 2019.
Placing eleventh as an individual at the 2019 finals and individually qualifying for the California State Meet, Claire Babbitt of Mary Star of the Sea was a Division 4 CIF-SS finalist in the 1600 and 3200 meters. The junior comes in off of seasonal bests of 5:19.17 and 11:29.59. She also earned CIF-SS Division 7 All-CIF squad in soccer.
Although finishing back in 12th place at the 2019 CIF-SS Finals, the girls of Viewpoint come in as heavy favorites to capture their first-ever team title.
As she did not compete in cross country as a freshman, junior JiaLian Mackey emerged as one of the best in the Southern Section this past track season. She placed third in the 1600 (5:03.90) and 3200 (10:56.65) with both lifetime bests coming at the Division 4 finals. On paper against the division, Viewpoint has unmatched depth featuring four others that all ran under 13:10 for the 3200 meters and sub-6:10 for the 1600 meters. They last qualified for the State Meet as a team in 2017.
Linfield Christian featured three that placed in the top 17 at the 2019 finals, while senior Emma Lakatos placed second (18:33) to Burns (18:02) at the Ambassador League Meet in March this year. The Lions' top five were all underclassmen.
One of the most improved programs in the divisions the past two years is Aquinas, who finished behind Linfield Christian in that meet. Junior Mia Saenez has led that improvement while also qualifying for the postseason in the 1600 and 3200 meters this past spring.
St. Margaret's, the 2018-2019 team champions, will be in the mix to defend their title as we expect Blau to return back to the same form that saw her emerge as one of the top freshmen in the state that season. Junior Ali Botuchis comes in off a great track season as we have no doubt that the program will field a strong five as always. The team has finished in the top three the past four postseasons.
Kaitlyn Ray, a divisional finalist in the 3200 meters (11:53.65), will lead La Reina as that group experienced more depth in the 1600 meters than most others in the division. Chadwick will also be in the mix as the Dolphins are led by Grace and Clara Mangali. Also, watch for Ramona Convent as they bring nice depth into the 2021 season.
Sage Hill of Newport Beach has also been a major player in Division 5 by placing in the top five in four of the past five postseasons.
But, do keep in mind that the Southern Section will only send six girls' squads onward to the State Meet.
