El Modena Freshman Lawson Sprints From Sport to Sport

Freshman Juanita Lawson made her big splash two weeks ago at a girls’ track and field meet breaking El Modena’s school-record for the 100 meters.

She won the race in 11.8 seconds on Trabuco Hills’ all-weather track, one week after clocking a 12.6 on El Modena’s dirt track.

“That week, she stumbled out of the blocks and still ran a 12.6,” El Modena track Coach John Ahearn said. “We knew she was fast and she shattered the old record by .3 or .4 seconds.”

Lawson, who also runs the 200 and is on the 400-relay team, broke the record held by Angela Allen, who is now a freshman at UC Santa Barbara.

Lawson is dividing her attention between track and softball this spring.

“We have an agreement,” Ahearn said. “She does her track workouts first then goes over to softball practice.”

Lawson also ran cross-country in the fall and played girls’ soccer in the winter. Ahearn said Lawson also plays club soccer.

“We advocate kids playing different sports,” Ahearn said. “If she can be a little faster from track, get a little stronger in cross-country and the other sports, everyone benefits because the result is a better athlete.”

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Another freshman making an impact is Esperanza boys’ volleyball player Patrick Nihipali.

Nihipali follows a brother and sister who both starred at Esperanza before moving on to UCLA.

His older brother Paul was a four-time All-American (1994-97) at UCLA and his sister Amy is a sophomore on the Bruins’ volleyball team.

So what does Esperanza Coach Kurt Kersten call his 6-foot-7 freshman? Little Nihipali, of course.

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The Servite boys’ volleyball team flexed its muscles by defeating Mater Dei for the first time and winning the Orange County Championships Division II title for the second consecutive season last week.

The senior-dominated Friars defeated a young Foothill team, 15-7, 15-3, in the Division II final. But don’t be surprised if the Knights make a late-season push.

Foothill features five sophomores and two freshmen, including starting setter sophomore Ryan Burgess. Foothill lost its first three matches, but won its first best-of-five match this week by defeating Saddleback, 15-3, 15-2, 15-4.

“They’re just learning to play together and compete at this level,” Foothill Coach Rich Polk said. “I have high expectations for this group.”

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The Wienerschnitzel Big West Invitational is one of the holiday baseball tournaments that begin Friday.

Among the teams scheduled to compete are Brea Olinda, Woodbridge, Foothill, and 1998 Southern Section Division IV champion Ocean View.

The final is scheduled for April 7 at Windrow Park in Irvine.