Mustang girls are building up steam

Bryce Alderton

Costa Mesa High has perhaps one of the best runners in Orange

County according to first-year girls cross country head coach Glenn

Mitchell -- Christine Bjelland.

The junior ran a personal-best 18:39 to take seventh in the

Pacific Coast League finals as a sophomore last season. In track, she

ran to a sixth-place finish in the 3,200 meters (11:21.22) in her debut at the CIF Division III Finals and took seventh (5:16.83) in

the 1,600 at CIF finals.

She ran a 5:11-mile last season in track and spent the summer

working out with runners from Corona del Mar High to build up her

endurance, Mitchell said.

“She’s been out there every day putting in the miles and looks

better than she did in track (last spring), I expect big things from

her,” Mitchell said. “She’s one of the best runners in Orange County.

I can go out on a limb with that one.”

Alongside Bjelland will be the Mustangs’ only senior and probable

team captain in Cara Doone who can “push the girls,” according to

Mitchell, who consist of juniors Sarah Bryant, Carla Torres, Isai

Rendon and Rayleen Gonzales, sophomore Alejandra Marquez and five

freshmen that include Kathryn Connell, Araceli Mendoza, Hanh Nguyen,

Anna Rodriguez and Stephanie Armenta.

Bryan ran track last season and plays soccer.

The freshmen girls excitement for the upcoming season encourages

Mitchell.

“I’ve got five or six freshman girls who want to run like

Christine,” Mitchell said. “This year we’ll be learning about our new

league and each other, but I think we’ll do some good things this

year.”

Bjelland welcomes Mitchell’s praise and the responsibility that

comes with being a premier runner.

“I don’t feel any pressure but I’m excited that (Mitchell) has

high expectations for us,” Bjelland said. “We’re a year stronger and

I think well do better in CIF this year.”

With only one senior on this year’s team, Mitchell said 2003

should be the Mustangs’ year as the freshmen get one year older and

the corps of four juniors, including Bjelland, runs for one last

season at Mesa.