Kim Nelson

School: Canyon High

Sport: Cross-country

Class: Junior

Kim Nelson isn’t one to run in the back of the pack. In 14 races this season, she has won 11 and finished second three times. Saturday, Nelson finished second in the Division II race of the State championship meet, running the 5,000-meter course at Fresno’s Woodward Park in 18 minutes 40 seconds. Michele Cox of Escondido (18:26) was the only runner to beat her. Nelson, who is also a starter for the Canyon girls’ soccer team, has never lost a Century League race. This season, she won the Dana Hills Invitational junior-senior race and the sweepstakes race at the Orange County championships. “She is very gifted, there’s no doubt about it,” Canyon Coach Mike Sayward said. “I’ve been coaching at Canyon for 17 years and we can now say she’s the best runner we’ve ever had.”

Other top performers:

Christie Engesser, who finished third in the State Division II race to help Ocean View win the title by upsetting Edison. Engesser, a senior, finished in 18 minutes 48 seconds.

Hilary Kyle, who had 27 kills, including 11 in the deciding game, to help Laguna Beach to a four-game victory over Poway in a Southern California Regional Division I volleyball playoff match.

Mayra Medina, who ran 18:32--the fastest time of the day for an Orange County girl--and led Laguna Hills to its second consecutive second-place finish in the State Division III cross-country race.

Courtney Owens, who had 26 kills in Calvary Chapel’s three-game sweep of Los Angeles Brentwood in a Southern California Regional Division V volleyball playoff match.