Dana Hills Runs Back to Top of South Coast

Dana Hills ended two streaks Friday, taking back the South Coast League boys’ cross-country title from four-time defending champion Mission Viejo and winning the individual title for the first time in 10 years.

The Dolphins won six South Coast League titles between 1986-92, but only one in the last seven years. Senior Devin Segal finished first on the three-mile course at Laguna Niguel Park in 15 minutes 29 seconds, making him the first Dana Hills runner to win a league title since Dan Niednagel in 1990.

“I told Dan it was about time we got it back,” Segal said. “Looks like we could have it for the next two years.”

Segal was referring to the second-place finish by sophomore teammate Tyler Kastorff, who finished four seconds behind Segal. Kastorff defeated several talented runners, including El Toro’s Ricky Rehanek, who was third in 15:40, and Mission Viejo’s Jacob Gustafsson, fourth in 15:47.

Dana Hills was also paced by Derek Horn, who finished seventh in 16:01, David Troxcil (11th, 16:10) and Tommy Jordan in (13th, 16:15).

El Toro, with three top-10 finishers, was second in the team standings with 48 points, 14 behind Dana Hills. Mission Viejo finished third with 73 points.

In the girls’ finals:

Webster, Dana Hills win--Capistrano Valley sophomore Britney Webster finished first in 18:21 at Laguna Niguel Park and Mission Viejo freshman Nicole Scheid (18:44) was second.

Dana Hills had five runners in the top 13, led by Tara Crowley (18:51) in third and Stephanie Eckl (18:53) in fourth.