Christie Engesser

School: Ocean View

Sport: Track and field

Class: Senior

After the lingering illness that hindered her as a sophomore, Engesser has concentrated on the 800 meters at the expense of longer races such as the 1,500. But as she regained strength, she was able to handle longer interval workouts to prepare her for the mile equivalents. After Friday, it appears she’s entirely ready. In the 1,500 at the Mt. San Antonio Relays, Engesser finished second to Canadian Angie Froese in 4 minutes 50.33 seconds, about a second slower than her personal best. “I’ve always felt that there are a lot of good 1,500s left in her that she hasn’t tapped,” Ocean View Coach Beth Chilcott said. Later in the meet Engesser won her specialty, the 800, finishing in 2:13.2, despite being boxed in for more than a lap. Engesser, who has signed a letter of intent with Oregon, was slowed to a 69-second first lap, about six seconds slower than she is accustomed to running. “I think that race showed how strong she was,” Chilcott said. Even though she had a leisurely first lap, she still powered away from everybody else.”

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Other top performers:

* Katella’s Kelsi Armbruster allowed only three hits in two Empire League softball victories. She had a two-hitter in a 1-0 victory over El Dorado and a one-hitter in a 3-0 victory over Esperanza.

* Alexis Beckman pitched a no-hitter, striking out 10 and walking one, in El Modena’s 13-0 victory over Santa Ana Valley. She also had two hits and four RBIs.

* University’s Andrea Bill won the discus at the Mt. San Antonio Relays with a mark of 138-0.

* Newport Harbor sophomore Tina Bowman won the high jump at the Mt. SAC Relays, winning a jump off by clearing 5-9 1/4 to beat Danielle Boswell of Fresno Bullard. It was a school record and the eighth-best mark in Orange County history.