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).