PREP PREVIEW ’92 / GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY : SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : EL MODENA

Coach: Tom Weber (18th year).

1991: Southern Section II-A champions, Seventh in State Division II, Century League champions.

Key returners: Natalie Austin, Sr., 49th at the State meet; Traci Acireno, Jr., battling for a spot in the top four; Kristina Dahlberg, Sr., 30th at State and coming off 5:07.31 1,600 in track; Rhiannon Sharp, Jr., 80th at State; Tara Whitfield, So., 39th at State.

Key newcomers: Stephanie Esparza, Fr.; Kaylee Whitfield, Fr.

Outlook: El Modena doesn’t lose a step from last season. In fact, the Vanguards didn’t lose a runner among the top eight. Dahlberg is the team’s No. 1 runner, and the pack behind her is usually tightly bunched. Could it get any better? El Modena moves from Division II-A to III-A this season. “I think the III-A probably isn’t as competitive as the II-A,” Weber said. “If we stayed in the II-A, there were some really good teams coming back.” This way El Modena won’t have to face Claremont, Edison and Woodbridge in the section and State meets.