Freshman Fills Various Bills at Ocean View

Christie Engesser is off to a good start this track season for Ocean View High School.

Engesser, The Times’ Athlete of the Week, won two individual events and anchored a winning relay team to lead Ocean View to a dual meet victory over Huntington Beach last Thursday. Saturday, Engesser finished second in the 800-meter race at the Arcadia Invitational.

And she’s only a freshman.

Ocean View Coach Beth Chilcott says the Seahawks count on Engesser to win three events plus anchor the 1,600-meter relay.

Thursday, she won the 800 in 2 minutes 36 seconds, the 1,600 (5:33.0) and anchored the 1,600 relay team. She placed second in the 400 to teammate Jennifer Dolstra.

Could it be just a little too much pressure for a freshman?

“I feel I have less pressure on me (to win) because I’m a freshman,” Engesser said. “In dual meets, most of the pressure comes from teammates cheering you to win.”

Besides, Chilcott doesn’t consider Engesser a true freshman.

“She’s like an old freshman,” Chilcott said. “She just turned 15. And she’s very mature for her age. She has days where she likes to goof around, but compared to her peers I’d say she’s a little more mature.”

In the Arcadia 800 race, Engesser was in fourth place with about 300 meters remaining, but she sprinted to the lead. She still led around the final turn, but Atascadero’s Kim Toney caught her and edged her by a step.

Toney’s time was 2:12.06 to Engesser’s 2:12.79, but Engesser was pleased with second place. “Really, I just wanted to get a PR (personal record),” Engesser said.

“In dual meets, you run for the team so you concentrate on placing. But in the invitational, I ran for my best time.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Andrea Dean had the county’s best dual-meet marks in the 100 meters (12.6) and the 200 (26.0) to lead Mission Viejo past El Toro Thursday.

Shannon Ellis pitched a no-hitter Thursday to lead Tustin to a 5-0 victory over University.

Lisa Fager won the high jump (5-feet-4), long jump (16-3) and triple jump (38-7) Saturday at the Poway track invitational Saturday. She won the high jump (5-2) to help Mission Viejo past El Toro Thursday in a dual meet.

Liz Howard pitched a no-hitter to lead Cypress to 1-0 victory over El Dorado Tuesday.

Nikki Jackson had the county’s best dual-meet times in the 100-meter hurdles (15.4) and the 300 hurdles (46.7) to lead Esperanza past Cypress Thursday. Saturday, Jackson won the 100 hurdles (15.03) and the 300 hurdles (45.18) at the Poway Invitational.

Leigh Sager pitched a no-hitter to lead Savanna to a 1-0 victory over Valencia Thursday.

Christie Engesser

Ocean View High School

Position: Mid-distance runner

Height, Weight, Class: 5-3, 105, Freshman

Last Week: Engesser won the 800 meters, the 1,600, anchored the winning 1,600-meter relay team and finished second to teammate Jennifer Dolstra in the 400 to lead Ocean View over Huntington Beach Thursday. Saturday, Engesser finished second in the 800 at the Arcadia Invitational with a personal-best time of 2:12.79.

Season: Engesser is undefeated in 800 and 1,600 races through three Sunset League meets.