GIRLS

Elaine Canchola

SCHOOL: Nordhoff

SPORT: Cross-country

YEAR: Freshman

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Canchola began her first cross-country season as an unknown but has developed into one of the nation’s top performers in the last five weeks. She finished a surprising third in the Ventura County championships Oct. 28, won the Southern Section Division III title Nov. 19, and placed second in the State Division III final Nov. 26.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: Canchola placed second in the Foot Locker West regional at Fresno’s Woodward Park on Saturday to advance to the national championships at San Diego’s Balboa Park on Dec. 10. She and Agoura’s Deena Drossin (1987) are the only freshmen to place that high since the meet began in 1979.