JSerra senior Anthony Grover wins second career county title, senior Hana Catsimanes captures first individual girls crown for San Clemente since 2014; Dana Hills boys extend record with 11th championship, with El Toro girls earning second victory in three years

By Alex Valladares for DyeStat

One team relied on its grit and determination to continue one of the most impressive legacies in meet history. Another program relied on its pack running to wrap up another title.

Dana Hills CA became the first boys team in the meet’s 53-year history to win a fifth straight Orange County Championships sweepstakes title, with the El Toro girls team capturing its second team crown in three years Saturday at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, Calif.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS

The Dolphins had their five scoring runners place in the top 23 of the boys sweepstakes race for a 64-126 victory over Beckman for their ninth title in the past 13 years and meet record 11th overall.

Jai Dawson was the top finisher for Dana Hills, as he placed second in 14 minutes, 41.1 seconds, followed by Carrick Denker, who suffered a cut on his left hand while using a fence to slingshot himself around a sharp turn in the second half of the race, in third at 14:44.2.

“I’m not sure how long he was bleeding for,” said Dawson, who rebounded after dropping out in the middle of the championship race Oct. 12 at the ASICS Clovis Invitational.

“I didn’t think much of it until about 800 meters left. Seeing him with blood all over his hand pushed me to really keep going and do what was necessary for the team. It was super important for us to get five in a row.”

Denker was taken to a local hospital shortly after crossing the finish line and received 11 stitches. He returned for the awards to join his teammates to accept Dana Hills’ 11th team title in the past 18 years.
Omar Garcia finished 18th (15:21.1), Brandon Pizano came in 21st (15:14) and Ryan Broadhead rounded out the scoring runners for the Dolphins in 23rd (15:16).

JSerra senior Anthony Grover, who verbally committed to Wake Forest, was the individual winner in 14:34.3, capturing the second individual championship of his career. He previously won the title as a sophomore in 2017.

“I stuck with the leaders for about the first mile and a half and then took over from there and never looked back,” said Grover, the two-time state Division 4 individual champion.

“I’m pretty happy with the way the season is going. I’m definitely in a lot better shape than last year. I’m really focused towards the end of the season.”

Sean Robertson of Capistrano Valley came in fourth (14:44.3), Taylor Bramel of Santa Ana Foothill placed seventh (14:59.2), Aliso Niguel senior Ben McKenna placed eighth (15:01.2) for the second straight year and San Clemente duo of senior Caleb Mettler came in ninth (15:03.6) and junior Bodey Horspool took 10th (15:07.3).

Placentia Valencia junior Aiden Larsen won the boys Division 2 varsity race in 15:18.8, although his effort wasn’t enough to lift the Tigers to the championship, with Tesoro securing an 80-83 victory.

With a 37-second separation among its five scoring runners, El Toro, which had no top 10 finishers, secured its second team title in program history with an 80-110 victory over Anaheim Canyon.

Sophomore Kasey Lynd was the top finisher for the Chargers, as she clocked 17:47.8 for 11th place.

“In workouts, we finish out tempo runs all together and it translated into close scoring gaps today,” said Lexi Neuville, who finished 14th at 17:51.6.

“When we won it sophomore year, we saw the big trophy and we really wanted it again. It motivated us in workouts this year.”

Jessica Martinez finished 19th (18:01.3), followed by Paulette Dominguez in 20th (18:05.9) and Darla Medina took 27th (18:24.2) to round out the scoring runners for the Chargers.

“We want to leave the team…with everyone having the same goals that we have,” said Martinez, who was a member of the 2017 team.

“We want the future teams to continue the legacy.”

Sophomore Emma Hadley finished third (17:21) to lead Anaheim Canyon to a second-place finish for the second year in a row.

San Clemente senior Hana Catsimanes, who missed making the top 10 last year, was the individual winner as she clocked 17:02.8.

“I would have liked to do a lot better last year, obviously, but it makes this year feel a lot better,” said Catsimanes, the first San Clemente female athlete to win the title since Kelsey Carroll in 2014.

“I’m going to use this as motivation and not let it be the high point of my season. Just gotta stay focused.”

Aliso Niguel junior Emily Richards finished fourth (17:31.1) and Santa Ana senior Maria Hernandez placed fifth (17:31.6).

La Palma Kennedy senior Sally Silengo, who finished 76th last year, earned all-county honors, placing seventh (17:35.4), Trabuco Hills teammates Anna Munoz and Bailey Watts were sixth (17:35.1) and eighth (17:37.3), respectively. Aliso Niguel senior Carly Schuerger (ninth, 17:37.8) and Dana Hills’ Marisa Gaitan (10th, 17:41.3) rounded out the top 10.

Irvine University junior Collette Lowengrub won the girls Division 2 varsity race in 18:10.4. Northwood captured the team title as its five scoring runners finished within a minute of each other for a 58-123 victory over Marina.

Led by a second-place finish by Ryan Manes (15:26.1), Esperanza won the boys small school race for the second straight season with a 71-83 victory Friday over Ocean View. Anaheim senior Aldo Trujillo was the individual winner as he clocked 15:24.7.

Brea-Olinda won the small school team title for the second straight year, placing five runners in the top 10 for a 24-80 victory Friday over Portola. Senior Whitney Valenti was the individual winner, as she clocked 17:28.5 to lead the Wildcats, with teammate Mia Douge (17:31.5) placing second.