Farrell Has Been Best in Long Run

Lining up for cross-country races can be a nerve-wracking experience for San Clemente High School’s Mike Farrell. Although he is one of the top prep runners in Orange County, he still gets jittery when he knows he will be challenged in a race.

“If I hear someone better than me is in my race, it just tears me up,” Farrell said. “I forget how I trained. I just forget everything.”

Well, maybe not everything. At the Orange County Cross-Country Championships Saturday at Irvine Park, Farrell stuck with his plan and won the race for seeded boys’ teams. His time of 15 minutes 20 seconds in the three-mile race was the fastest of the day, six seconds faster than his main county rival, Dana Hills junior Dan Niednagel, who finished second.

Farrell, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, evened the score in the friendly South Coast League rivalry that has developed between the two.

In the dual meet between the schools, which San Clemente (5-0) won this month, Niednagel defeated Farrell by five seconds on San Clemente’s home course by outkicking him the final 300 yards. Wary of that kick Saturday, Farrell broke away from Niednagel at the two-mile mark and opened a 10-yard lead, which Niednagel couldn’t make up.

The two will meet again Friday in the South Coast League championships on the same three-mile course at Irvine Park. It will be the final chance for Farrell, a senior, to win the individual league title. He finished third as a sophomore and second as a junior.

Farrell’s talents are better suited for longer races. He likes to set and maintain a fast pace, so three miles is a less-than-optimal distance.

Bill Hartman, boys’ cross-country coach at San Clemente, said Farrell’s talent for long-distance running makes him an excellent college prospect.

“He has a natural stride,” Hartman said. “He’s built like a distance runner should be built.”

Neither Hartman nor Farrell would predict a winner in Friday’s Niednagel-Farrell rematch.

“To be honest with you, I couldn’t tell you who is going to win the next time they race,” Hartman said. “It’s like whoever cracks, the other one wins.”

To prevent cracks, Hartman said Farrell needs to improve his mental preparation, which he said is true for most high school runners. Farrell must convince himself he will win.

Of course, he said, Niednagel likely is similarly preparing himself.

“He’s probably playing the same mind game, also,” Farrell said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Randy Karliner, Ocean View quarterback, ran for a 71-yard touchdown on the second play against Westminster Friday. At game’s end, he had rushed for another touchdown and passed for three more in the Seahawks’ 41-12 victory.

Chris Morgan, Dana Hills wide receiver, caught five passes for 187 yards--a single-game school record for receiving yardage--in a 41-21 loss to El Toro Friday.

Sonny Nguyen, Bolsa Grande quarterback, had a part in four of the Matadors’ five touchdowns in their 35-24 victory over La Quinta Friday. Nguyen scored on runs of 35, 34 and 27 yards and completed a three-yard touchdown pass. He also kicked five extra points.

Steve Stenstrom, El Toro quarterback, passed for 271 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of the Chargers’ 41-21 victory over Dana Hills Friday. Stenstrom, who was replaced after El Toro had taken a 34-0 lead in the third quarter, finished 13 of 18 for 277 yards.

Mike Farrell

San Clemente High School

Position: Cross-country runner

Height, Weight, Class: 6-2, 145, Senior

Last Week: Farrell won the seeded boys’ race at Orange County Cross-Country Championships Saturday.

Season: Farrell has lost only one dual-meet race.