Mission Viejo Girls Make It 17 Consecutive League Titles

Mission Viejo continued its dominance of South Coast League track and field Friday night at Trabuco Hills. The girls’ team won its 17th consecutive league title and the boys won their third in a row. The Mission Viejo girls finished with 167 points, San Clemente took second with 104 and Capistrano Valley (87) was third.

The girls’ team was led by strong performances from several individuals, but it was the 1,600 relay team that caused the most excitement.

Entering the race as an underdog to Mater Dei, which held the fourth-best time in the county this season (4:02.96), Mission Viejo recorded the third best time in the county at 4:00.66.

Mater Dei’s Lauren Adams held a 10-meter lead over Jen Thais in the first leg, but on the second leg Brooke Taylor was able to pass Kelly Freeman and handed the baton to Kendall Billingsley with a one-meter lead. Billingsley, who also won two other events, extended the Diablo lead and Ashley Billings went on to win by more than three seconds.

Mission Viejo was also helped by sophomore Dana Bethel, who won three events--the 100 hurdles (14.45), the 300 hurdles (45.88) and the long jump (17-4 1/2). Bethel also took second in the high jump, clearing 5-4. Bethel decided to compete in the high jump, as she prepares for the heptathlon in hopes of making the junior national team.

“I didn’t do my best today, but it’s good, because I haven’t practiced with my club team all week,” Bethel said.

The Diablo boys’ finished with 149 points, followed by Dana Hills with 106 1/2 and Trabuco Hills with 91 1/2.

Scott Crawson was the only multiple event winner for Mission Viejo, taking the 100 hurdles (14.99) and the 300 hurdles (39.68).

Kai Lewis of San Clemente won the 100 (10.88), the 200 (22.15) and the long jump (21-6).

Dana Hills’ Devin Lindahl, who won his third tile in the 800 meters, recording a county best time this season of 1:55.0.

Trabuco Hills’ Jared Hayman upset his teammate Scot Thompson, in the 400 meters. Hayman’s 49.40 was the second best in the county this season, Thompson, who holds the best time, finished second in 50.00.