IRVINE INVITATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD : Tustin’s Alexander Makes Up for Lost Time

Forgive the spectators at the Irvine Track and Field Invitational Saturday if some weren’t quite aware of who was racing in the girls’ 3,200 meters.

Liza Alexander of Tustin herself said she had a forgettable season last year, not even breaking 12 minutes in the 3,200. She ran 11 minutes 28 seconds as a sophomore.

Saturday at Irvine High, Alexander broke new ground, racing to a convincing victory in 11:17.8 over Laguna Hills’ Mayra Medina, who was second in 11:22.6.

“Last year, I ran the 3,200 in the high 12s,” said Alexander, a senior. “I’ve just finally been healthy.

“The past years, I just kept getting injured. It slowed me down for more than two seasons.”

Alexander, who was second in the 1,600, was named the meet’s top girl athlete. She led from start to finish in the 3,200 as four other runners finished under 12 minutes. Following Medina were Irvine’s Kelly Roda (11:28.1), Corona del Mar’s Tracy Clark (11:34.6) and Laguna Hills’ Heidi Sickler (11:48.4) in one of the meet’s most competitive events.

Newport Harbor’s Jared Overton also turned in a quick time in the boys’ 3,200 (9:38.0), finishing more than 10 seconds ahead of Katella’s Delfino Resendiz.

Gary Young of Woodbridge, the meet’s top boy athlete, won the 100 (11.1), 200 (22.3) and anchored the 1,600 relay, making up 10 meters on Chris Cunningham, Fountain Valley’s anchor. The victory pushed Woodbridge ahead of Esperanza in team points, giving the Warriors the team title.

Meet Notes

Among the top track performers were Ocean View’s Christie Engesser, a double winner (girls’ 400 and 800); Capistrano Valley’s Meghan Mayes (1,600); Fountain Valley’s Elinor Tolson (100 and 300 hurdles); and Saddleback’s Mel Lete (boys’ 110 and 300 hurdles). In boys’ field events, Esperanza’s Jim Stewart threw an outstanding 170 feet 4 inches in the discus; other winners included Newport Harbor’s Wade Tift (shotput) and Katella’s Brian Carlson (high jump). For the girls, Newport Harbor’s Gina Heads took the shotput and discus.