Mission Viejo, Woodbridge Top a Stellar Field

Forty-five schools will compete Saturday in the Orange County Championships girls’ track and field meet, which begins at 10 a.m. at Rancho Santiago College.

Mission Viejo, the two-time defending county champion, should receive its greatest challenge from Woodbridge, the two-time defending champion of the Southern Section 2-A.

Mission Viejo, which this year is seeking its eighth consecutive South Coast League title, lost to Woodbridge in the Irvine Invitational March 10, but beat the Warriors a week later at the Katella Relays. Mission Viejo’s strength lies in the field events; Woodbridge’s is in the running events.

The meet also is expected to showcase some exceptional competition for individual titles.

In the sprints, Mission Viejo sophomore Andrea Dean should again challenge Edison’s Jamie Karrer. Karrer won the 100 and took second in the 200 in last year’s meet. Dean was one place behind her in both.

In the distances, Ocean View freshman Christie Engesser has the county’s fastest time in the 800 (2 minutes 12.79 seconds) this year and is the favorite to win the event. Edison’s Shelley Taylor, the county’s most dominant distance runner, will not defend her 1,500 title as she will compete in Saturday’s Mt. SAC Relays.

In the field events, Mission Viejo’s Lisa Fager will attempt to break her county record (39-11 1/2) which she set in this meet last year.

Several other county athletes will compete at the Mt. SAC Relays, today and Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

Friday’s meet features mostly open events; the invitational events are scheduled for Saturday.