Steve VirgenEstancia High hosted the crosstown rivalry...
Steve Virgen
Estancia High hosted the crosstown rivalry track and field meet, but
the Costa Mesa girls owned the contest Thursday.
The Mustangs (5-0) remained undefeated in the Golden West League
and won all but one event. Their lead was so considerable, both teams
decided to call off the 1,600 relay, the final event of the day.
The Eagles seemed to have brought out the best of Costa Mesa
junior Christine Bjelland, who won three events, including the 800
meters (2:34), 1,600 (5:36.2) and 3,200 (13:39). Her victory in the
1,600 and 3,200 seemed a bit anticlimactic because it came without
the much-anticipated competition of Estancia senior Diana Rosete, who
was out with a hip injury and tendinitis.
Rosete might be out for the rest of the season, Estancia Coach
Charlie Appell said, but the Eagles are hopeful the senior could
return for the Golden West League finals May 5. Rosete won the Golden
West League cross country title, yet Bjelland, her best competition,
missed most of the season with a hip injury.
Bjelland displayed the results of her comeback with her three
victories Thursday, though her win in the 3,200 showed her team
support. She intentionally tried to finish in a tie with two of her
teammates, freshmen Jasmin Day and Kyla Flores. The trio seemingly
finished at the same time in 13:39.
Mitchell said winning has been a big reason for the festive mood
among the Mustangs this season, yet they would be just as pleased
with less wins because the Mesa team has increased its depth this
year. That depth helped senior Sharon Day, the Orange County-record
holder in the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches), compete in just one event
so that she could save her energy for Saturday and the Orange County
Championships.
Sharon Day won the 100 (12.8), while her younger sister, Jasmin,
won the high jump (4-6). Junior Cassey Brick continued to show her
weekly progress in the hurdles and field events. She earned a
personal record to win the long jump (15-5), while senior Rhondi Naff
won the triple jump (32-8 1/2) and senior Toshia Bryant doubled (200,
400).
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