KINNEY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS : Orange’s Martinez Places 10th; Love 26th

A couple of weeks ago, Jaime Martinez of Orange High School didn’t even consider himself the best cross-country runner in the county. Today, Martinez can call himself the 10th-best high school runner in the nation.

Martinez, a junior, earned that surprising distinction Saturday by placing 10th at the 14th Kinney Cross-Country Championships at Balboa Park.

The race included a field of the nation’s top 32 runners. Another runner from the county, Michael Love of Katella, placed 26th in the race, which was won by Brendan Heffernan of Glen Gardner, N.J.

In the girls’ race, Carrie Garritson of Buena Park finished 19th. Amanda White of Cockeysville, Md., won the girls’ race. White is the daughter of former Baltimore Colt linebacker Stan White.

It’s understandable why Martinez was so stunned with his effort. He only placed second in the county meet last month.

“I wasn’t even expecting to qualify for the meet,” said Martinez, whose grin was almost as wide as his stride. “This is my first year of cross-country. I didn’t feel I would be ready for this.”

Martinez proved more than ready, covering the 3-mile course in 15 minutes 40 seconds, 37 seconds behind Heffernan.

“They were all going real fast,” Martinez said. “I just said, ‘Go out there and have a good time.’ I did.”

Martinez didn’t go out with the leaders, yet he ran in the top 10 for most of the race.

Love had quite a different race. He fell back of the top pack early and never pulled back into contention for an All-American spot.