PREP ROUNDUP : This Time, Tustin Wins in Girls’ Cross-Country

The Tustin High School girls’ cross-country team defeated Woodbridge and Saddleback in a Sea View League tri-meet Thursday, answering the question: which league school has the better team?

But Tustin’s dominance may be only temporary, as any five of the six league teams could upset one another at any time. Tustin, University, Woodbridge, Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar are highly ranked in the Southern Section, and Corona del Mar is the defending league champion, placing third in the State Division II meet last year.

One thing is for sure, Tustin--ranked No. 1 in Division II--is off to a good start. Thursday, on a rolling, three-mile course at Mason Park in Irvine, the Tillers (3-0) defeated Woodbridge, 25-31, and Saddleback, 15-50.

Kay Nekota of Woodbridge, a freshman, won the race in 17 minutes 55 seconds. Tustin’s Liza Alexander was second in 18:26 as the Tillers placed four runners in the top six.

“My goal used to be to win league,” Tustin Coach Tom Coffey said. “Now, my goal is to get out of league, and one way to do it is to win the dual meets. The problem is that our league is so tough, we might not get there.”

Coffey is particularly worried about Woodbridge, which will get back its top runner, Amy Robles, who has mononucleosis. Woodbridge Coach George Varvas said he expects Robles to return before the Nov. 1 league meet.

Saddleback (3-0) won the boys’ race, defeating Woodbridge, 17-44, and Tustin, 16-47. The Roadrunners’ Eddie Salinas won in 15:12.