Garritson Could Be Favored in 3,200

When Carrie Garritson, a sophomore at Sunny Hills, covered 3,200 meters in a nation-leading and Orange County-record 10 minutes 28.20 seconds at the Masters meet last week, did she move from a contender to a favorite in the State track and field championships?

We’ll find out when the meet begins at 3 p.m. today at Cerritos College.

The final in the girls’ 3,200, which does not have qualifying heats today, is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. Saturday.

Before the Masters meet, Garritson figured to be among those chasing Fallbrook’s Milena Glusac, who last week won the San Diego Section final in the 1,600 (4:52.6) and the 3,200 (10.57.83). But Garritson’s county record may have vaulted her into a favorite’s role.

Garritson is one of three county girls’ distance runners expected to challenge for a State title.

Shelley Taylor of Edison has the second-fastest 1,600-meter time in the state, 4:51.98, but will likely face a stiff test from Fillmore’s Nikki Shaw, who has run 4:50.40. However, Shaw has been suffering from a strained arch and scratched from the Masters meet 800 just minutes before the race.

Christie Engesser of Ocean View won the Masters meet 800 in a personal-best 2:11.50, the No. 2 time in the state behind a 2:09.48 clocking by Miesha Marzell of Oakland Bishop O’Dowd.

Other county contenders include:

--Elinor Tolson of Fountain Valley in the 100- and 300-meter low hurdles; Heather Sterlin of Mission Viejo in the long jump, and Gina Heads of Newport Harbor in the shotput and discus.

--Charlie Davidson of Saddleback in the 110-meter high hurdles; Greg Muniz of Woodbridge in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles; Tony Parrish of Marina in the triple jump, and Foothill in the boys’ 1,600-meter relay.