PREP ROUNDUP : Despite Adversity, Saddleback Boys Win Sea View Cross-Country Title

The Saddleback High School boys’ cross-country team overcame adversity to gain the Sea View League championship Thursday at Irvine Regional Park in Orange.

Saddleback, unranked in the final Orange County Coaches’ Assn. poll, defeated Corona del Mar, 32-57, to win the league championship. Newport Harbor, seventh in the poll, was third with 66 points and Woodbridge fourth with 85.

Based on the teams’ dual meet records and placing at Thursday’s meet, Saddleback is the league’s No. 1 representative to the Southern Section preliminary meet Nov. 16 at Mt. San Antonio College. Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor also advance.

Junior Johnny Ochoa led the Roadrunners, placing first in 15 minutes 13 seconds over the three-mile course. Corona del Mar’s Steve Le Sieur placed second in 15:22 and the Roadrunners’ Julio Cordero was third (15:24).

Dan Garro (eighth) and Hector Ochoa (14th) completed Saddleback’s top five. Senior Joe Heredia, usually the Roadrunners’ No. 2 runner, placed 30th and last for his team because he was suffering from the flu.

The Saddleback coaches also dismissed a top runner from the team this week because of disciplinary problems. Javier Orozco, who usually runs junior varsity, replaced the runner and finished sixth.

“We are thrilled the kids came through,” Saddleback assistant coach Larry Silva said. “We really didn’t know how we were going to fare because Joey Heredia came down with the flu . . . and we were wondering if the team would say, ‘The second runner is not here, let’s give up.’ ”

In the girls’ competition, University’s Tanja Brix won the individual title in 17:19, followed by Newport Harbor’s Donna Mills (18:05) and Mary Crane (18:06). Newport Harbor placed three runners in the top six to defeat Corona del Mar, 40-57. Woodbridge was third with 64 points, Tustin (99) fourth and University (102) fifth.

Newport Harbor advanced to the Southern Section meet as the league’s No. 1 representative. Corona del Mar and Tustin also advanced.