HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW : AT A GLANCE

GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

* The Proven: Corona del Mar senior Liz Morse has established herself as the top female runner in the county. Morse finished third in the 800 meters at the state track and field finals in June, and last season was fifth at the state Division IV cross-country meet. Santa Margarita junior Lori Mann placed second in the Division II state race last season with the best time (18 minutes 24 seconds) of any county runner in any division. Irvine senior Valerie Morris paced the Vaqueros to the state Division I title with a 15th-place finish (18:53).

* The Promising: In addition to Northwood’s trio, a few other talented sophomores performed beyond expectation last season. Brea Olinda’s Michelle DiMeo was 11th at the Division II state meet, Santa Margarita’s Megan Mainwaring improved 1:43 from the Southern Section Division II meet to finish fourth at state, and Mater Dei’s Jenny Sears was third at the Division II finals and 16th at state. Woodbridge freshman Kristen Berglas was ranked third nationally in 5K road racing by the USTAF.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Esperanza--Several runners return from state runner-up; 2. Corona del Mar--Morse & Co. were a point away from a state title last season; 3. Woodbridge--Jessica Kanin returns for Division II runner-up; 4. Santa Margarita--Still young and powerful; 5. Brea Olinda--Five from state meet team return; 6. Newport Harbor--Experience is Sailors’ key; 7. Northwood--Best sophomore class in county; 8. El Modena--Six return from Southern Section Division III runner-up; 9. Dana Hills--Expected to overtake Mission Viejo; 10. University--Still strong in post-Allyson Marquand season.

* Key Dates: Sept. 11, Laguna Hills Invitational; Sept. 18, Woodbridge Invitational; Sept. 25, Dana Hills Invitational; Oct. 2, Stanford Invitational; Oct. 16, Orange County Championships; Oct. 23, Mt. San Antonio College Invitational; Nov. 13, Southern Section prelims; Nov. 20, Southern Section finals at Mt. San Antonio College; Nov. 27, State finals at Fresno Woodward Park.

* League Favorites: Century--El Modena; Empire--Katella; Freeway--Buena Park; Garden Grove--Pacifica; Golden West--Santa Ana; Olympic--Cerritos Valley Christian; Orange--Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast--Corona del Mar; Sea View--Woodbridge; Serra--Santa Margarita; South Coast--Dana Hills; Sunset--Esperanza.

* Fast Fact: Northwood isn’t the only team added to the list of girls’ cross-country teams this season. La Quinta wasn’t able to field a team last year because there weren’t enough willing bodies. This season, Coach Dick Bradarich had eight girls join the team, including freshman Faviola Lopez, whose older sisters excelled in cross-country at Santa Ana Valley.