Agoura, Hart Aim for Running Titles

The Agoura High girls’ cross-country team, led by Deena Drossin, and the Hart boys’ team, paced by Billy Dixon, are favored to win Division I team titles today in the Southern Section cross-country championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

In the City Section meet at Pierce College, Taft will attempt to successfully defend its boys’ title.

Agoura, the runner-up to Palos Verdes in the state Division I championships the past three years, is favored to defeat the Sea Kings today. The Chargers have beaten Palos Verdes at the Woodbridge and Kenny Staub invitationals earlier this season.

Drossin, the state Division I champion in 1987 and 1989, is heavily favored to win her third Southern Section title. She tied the girls’ three-mile course record with a time of 17 minutes 16 seconds at the Mt. SAC invitational last month.

Dave Hartman of Canyon will attempt to upset Louie Quintana of Arroyo Grande in the boys’ Division I race.

Quintana, runner-up in last year’s state Division I championships, ran 14:40 to defeat Hartman (14:51) in the Mt. SAC invitational.

Jeanie Rothman of Westlake will battle Martha Pinto of Katella and Shelley Taylor of Edison for the girls’ Division II title.