Woodbridge Girls Edge Ailing Santa Margarita

The Santa Margarita girls’ track and field team won the Orange County Championships last weekend with clutch performances by several lesser-known athletes. In a Sea View League dual meet Wednesday against Woodbridge, it was the Warriors who benefited from their depth.

Woodbridge toppled the Eagles, 70-66, at Santa Margarita, securing the victory by taking second and third in the next-to-last event, the 3,200 meters.

“Dual meets, that’s what the heart of the team is all about,” Woodbridge Coach George Varvas said. “You’ve got second- and third-place kids that would never do anything at an invitational that do a lot here.”

Varvas cited Ashley Lazurus, who finished second in the 200 and third in the 100, Melissa Fisher, who was second in the 800, Meghan Bellotti, third in the 1,600, Nicole Scott, third in the 3,200, and Sarah Ledesma, who took third in the shotput on her final attempt.

Santa Margarita was without its top sprinter, Meghan Atkinson, who also missed the county championships because of a slight leg injury, and its best distance runner, Lori Mann, who has been slowed most of the season by a leg injury.

“They’re not 100% but that’s part of sports,” Varvas said. “Having the talent is one part, doing the coaching and preparing is another part, strategy is a third part, and then luck. I’ve been in the opposite spot before, where we had top kids out and lost meets.”

In a Sea View League boys’ meet:

No. 3 Santa Margarita 99, Woodbridge 36--Stephen Murray finished first in the 3,200 (10:22.44) and Brian Sabin won the pole vault (12-6) for the Eagles (5-0 in league).

In the Century League:

Villa Park 84, Canyon 49--Dustin Roberts won three events for host Villa Park (6-1, 4-1): the 110 hurdles (17.3), 300 hurdles (42.3) and high jump (5-8).

In the Golden West League:

Santa Ana 90, Servite 45--Santa Ana’s Alfonso Leon won the 800 and the 1,600. Caesar Castro won the shotput and discus for the Saints (7-1, 4-1).

In the South Coast League:

San Clemente 70, Capistrano Valley 62--Kai Lewis, who won the 100 in 10.5 (wind aided) and 200 (22.4), remains undefeated in both events for San Clemente.

In Century League girls’ track:

Villa Park 83, Canyon 51--Kelly Shimitzu won the 300 hurdles (1:02.9) and long jump (13-6 1/2) for host Villa Park (4-3, 2-3),

In the Golden West League:

Rosary 93, Santa Ana 46--Renee Delellis won the high jump, long jump and 100 hurdles to lead Rosary (5-0 in league) to its third straight league title. Christy Americh won the 400 and the 1,600 for Rosary.

In the South Coast League:

Capistrano Valley 68, San Clemente 68--Christina Ciampa won the 200 (25.8), and 400 (60.0) for San Clemente (4-1-2, 3-1-1),

In the Sunset League:

Esperanza 95, Fountain Valley 36--Kristen Thompson won the discus (116-5) and shotput (35-7) for host Esperanza (5-0 in league).