Competition Will Be Tough for Team Titles

Fifty-eight high schools will battle for team titles at the Orange County Track and Field Championships Saturday at Trabuco Hills High. The meet begins with field events at 9 a.m.

The girls’ team competition is expected to be a three-way battle between the county’s top-ranked teams: Edison, Mission Viejo and Woodbridge.

Top-ranked Edison will rely on seniors Kerry O’Bric (100- and 300-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump), Marie Philman (100-meter hurdles, high jump, shotput and discus) and Karen Anderson (400- and 800-meter runs).

Second-ranked Mission Viejo is led by Ashley Bethel, a sophomore who is favored in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and 200 meters and will score points in the high jump.

Woodbridge will be without its all-around standout Erin Stovall, who is injured.

The boys’ competition will be among top-ranked El Toro, Garden Grove, Santa Margarita and Sunset League powers Esperanza, Edison and Huntington Beach.

Garden Grove senior Kevin Griswold is favored in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter sprints. Edison will rely on all-around standouts Elliott Parks (high jump, long jump and triple jump) and Mike Smith (110-meter high hurdles, long jump and triple jump).

Other top individuals competing include Esperanza’s Kelly O’Connor, the defending state triple jump champion, Tustin’s Dominique DeGrammont (110- and 300-meter hurdles), Huntington Beach’s Jess Struztel (400 and 800 meters) and Tony Trueba (1,500 and 3,000 meters) and University freshman Allyson Marquand (1,500 and 3,000 meters).