Girls track and field: Bjelland and Day soar in meet

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - A Pacific Coast League opening loss mattered minimally

to the Costa Mesa High girls team Thursday at Orange Coast College. For

the Mustangs, their meet against visiting University marked the

coming-out party of sophomore Christine Bjelland.

The Mustangs’ distance running star won the 800-, 1,600- and

3,200-meter events and helped the 1,600 relay team to victory. Her triple

also included personal-best times, the result of dedicated offseason

training.

“I just try to push myself and I guess it’s working,” Bjelland said in

a simple tone.

Last year, Bjelland’s 1,600 time was 20 seconds slower and her 3,200

was two second slower. She improved four seconds in the 800.

“She’s been working so hard and now it’s paying off,” first-year

Costda Mesa Coach George Greenwalt said during Bjelland’s winning 3,200

run. “She’s making me look good.”

Sharon Day also starred for the Mustangs, who lost to the Trojans,

86-50. Day won the 400 (58.9) and the high jump (5-6). The PCL soccer

Co-Player of the Year also ran the anchor leg in the Mustangs’ victorious

relays. She was behind about 25 yards when she took the baton in the

1,600 relay. But then Day turned on the afterburners and helped give Mesa

the win.

“She has a good team concept,” Greenwalt said of Day. “The relays

bring out the best in her because she really wants to do what’s best for

the team.”

Stacy Krikorian and Rachel Hughes, whom were also on the Mustangs

soccer team which earned its first first-round playoff win in the winter,

also ran in the 1,600 relay. Krikorian and Hughes, along with Sarah

Bryant were also on the winning 400 relay team.

Beverly Aina, who also competed on the Mesa wrestling team, won the

shot put (33-1) and finished second in the discus (95-5).

University won eight events, including a sweep in the pole vault, long

jump and 100 hurdles. The Trojans used their experience and depth to

overpower the young and thin-in-numbers Mustangs. Uni Coach Dan Wroblicky

said he was thrilled to run on the rubber surface at OCC. The Trojans’

coach also noted the PCL title will be toss-up between his girls team and

defending champion Corona del Mar.