Southern Section cross-country finals: Babcock wins in 16:38

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The runners continue to take advantage of the ideal conditions here at the Southern Section finals at Mt. SAC.

Christine Babcock of Woodbridge, pictured from another race, just won the girls’ Division II race in 16:38, equalling the third-fastest time on the 2.91-mile course.

‘I was shooting for that,’ said Babcock, who had not run under 17 minutes on the course before. ‘I think I was just ready to run fast.’

Babcock is the defending Division II state cross-country champion and the two-time defending state champion in the girls’ 1,600 meters. She finished 50 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Vanessa Hancock of Brea Olinda.

Both qualified for state as individuals, along with Liberty Miller of Simi Valley, Jessica Nunez of South Hills and Caitlin Villareal of Norco.

Newport Harbor, which came into the meet ranked second in the division behind Santa Ana Foothill, edged Mira Costa, 131-135, for the team title. Foothill finished fourth with 152 points. Also qualifying for state was Anaheim Canyon, Edison, Peninsula and El Modena.

A runner from La Reina has suffered asthma problems and has just left in an ambulance. According to race officials, the runner forgot her inhaler and was allowed to run in the Division IV race anyway.

Memo to coaches: It’s not worth it.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times