PREP SPRING SPORTS ’93 / GIRLS’ TRACK : Mission Viejo

Coach: Fred Almond (13th year).

1992: Won South Coast League championship (6-0); won Katella Relays and Orange County Championships.

Key returners: Andrea Steinberger, Sr., 800 (2:20), 1,600 (5:11.27); Caren Anderson, Jr., 3,200 (11:23), 1,600 (5:25); Amy Chris, Sr., 300 LH (47.2), 100 LH (15.5), 200 (26.0); Marie Santos, Jr., 100 (12.6), 200 (26.4); Nina Foster, Jr., shotput (36-8 1/2), TJ (36-2 1/2); Beth Merkle, So., 400 (1:01.3); Meredith Axtell, So., HJ (5-0), 100 LH (16.5); Stacey Moses, Sr., shotput (34-2); Laurie Murphy, Sr., 400 (1:01.2), 800 (2:26).

Key newcomers: Kelly Phillips, So., 100 (13.14), 200 27.0); Erin Merkle, Fr., 100 LH, HJ, TJ; Steffany Foley, Jr., 300 LH (48.2).

Outlook: Mission Viejo has won 10 consecutive South Coast titles and five consecutive (and six of the last seven) Orange County Championships, but five crucial athletes were graduated. Almond said there is little room for strategic errors and injuries/illnesses like last year. Steinberger (mononucleosis) and Beth Merkle (bad back) should help if they remain healthy, and Erin Merkle might be as fast as her sister.