Four Warrior girls in top ten at Laguna Hills Invitational

Four members of Fallbrook High School’s girls cross-country team placed among the top ten finishers in their grades at the Laguna Hills Invitational September 9.

Amy Hansen finished third among seniors while Alex Nygren was sixth among seniors. Noelle Garcia was the fourth sophomore across the finish line while Briana Lopez was the ninth junior to complete the three-mile race.

Four other Warrior runners finished among the top 40 in their grades. “It was a good beginning point for this group of girls,” said Fallbrook coach Troy Hamlin. “We came away from there feeling like this could be a very successful year.”

The 46 senior Division I runners were led by Andrea Jacobs of Vista High School, who had a winning time of 18:20. Hansen crossed the finish line at 19:20 and Nygren completed the race with a time of 19:59.

“They both did absolutely wonderful,” Hamlin said of his two seniors.

The sophomores were led by Danica Rosendale of Vista Murrieta High School, whose time of 19:19 captured the race of 120 runners. Garcia was close behind with a time of 19:38. Fallbrook’s Taty Liepelt was 23rd with a time of 20:58 while Carrie Jercinovich was 33rd among sophomores at 21:53.

Lopez had a time of 19:36 to finish ninth among the 94 Division I juniors. Fallbrook’s Leslie Grantham placed 17th with a time of 20:24 and Cassie Mulkey ran the race in 21:38 to finish 35th among juniors.

Fallbrook’s only freshman in the race, Kayla James, had a time of 24:19 to place her 53rd among 102 freshmen.

“The girls team has really grown and come together, and they are really running well,” Hamlin said. “It’s probably one of the best teams that we’ve had in the last five years, and as far as the team aspect goes it’s maybe one of the best teams we’ve ever had.”

Although the Laguna Hills Invitational did not have official team scores, the results provide optimism for Fallbrook’s first dual meet September 26 against Vista at Guajome Park. “Things are looking good for the future,” Hamlin said.