Countywide : Team From Orange Wins Track and Field Event

The City of Orange emerged from a pool of 13 cities to take top position at the Orange County Municipal Athletic Assn.’s Youth Track and Field Championships recently, with Huntington Beach finishing a close second. Irvine and Santa Ana placed third and fourth, respectively.

More than 1,400 boys and girls, ages 8 though 15, from each city’s parks and recreation programs, competed in the meet at Irvine High School.

The top four finishers now advance to the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation championships, slated for next Saturday at Gahr High School’s Rants Stadium in Cerritos.

Orange, coached by Julie Parker, captured first place in the boys’ meet by picking up 188 points. Huntington Beach was second with 164 points, while Irvine gathered 117 team points.

In the girls’ meet, roles were reversed with Huntington Beach--under the coaching of Kelly Painter--picking up 209.5 points, Orange coming in second with 189 points and Irvine again placing third with 97 points.

Total points for the winners were 377 for Orange, 373.5 for Huntington Beach, 204 for Irvine and 145 for Santa Ana.

Costa Mesa picked up 144 points, Newport Beach 108, Buena Park 105 and Saddleback Valley--competing as a city--had 84.5. Los Alamitos captured 77 points, Tustin 75, Yorba Linda 66, and Laguna Beach 51. Tiny La Palma placed last, with three points.