Girls Preview
By Matt Farmer

The season opening Eagle Invite finds seven very strong teams clashing at Santa Margarita Catholic High School this Saturday. Esperanza, Newport Harbor, Edison, Murrieta Valley, Mater Dei and Rancho Buena Vista will travel to south Orange County to do battle with the Eagles in a meet that always produces a wealth of early season marks. Both running and field events are scheduled for a 10am start.
Esperanza is lead by middle distance standout Emily Dunn. The Aztec senior ran 2:09.32 over 800 meters last season and was the Southern Section D1 champion. The Aztecs will also be bolstered by a distance crew that advanced to the state Division I meet in cross country last fall.
Distance ace Hillary Hayes is the standout for the Edison Chargers. The sophomore turned in 1600/3200 performances 5:11.42/11:10.75 a year ago.
Newport Harbor senior Allison Stokke is one of nation's best talents. The national sophomore class record holder won the SS DII in the pole vault last May. Taylor Bryson broke five minutes at 1600 meters (4:59.59 6th SSDII) last spring for the Sailors and coach Eric Tweit. Jessica Robson (5'4 HJ/17'4.5 LJ/15.87 100mH) is a well rounded senior for the Tars as well.
Murrieta Valley is headed by all-arounder Kelsey Rubeor. The senior was a state meet finalist in the high jump (5'7 best) and section 5th place finisher in the shot put (38'6.25 PR) as well as an excellent 100 meter hurdler (15.38) and long jumper (18'2). Junior Taryn Pastoor should add quality up front in the distance races, having run 11:12.69 for 3200 meters last spring.
Coach Rick Martinez' Monarchs are a strong dual meet team with a plethora of sprint/hurdle talent. Sara Gomez (12.66) is the defending Serra League champion at 100 meters while Rebecca Hamilton ran 47.70 for second in the Serra at 300 meter hurdles.
The host Eagles of Santa Margarita are lead by Michelle Gonzalez. The senior ran 58.76 as the Serra League runner-up at 400 meters in 2006. Junior Kelly Collins is an excellent all around talent having high jumped 5'1 and run 15.50 and 48.57 a year ago in the hurdle races.
Rancho Buena Vista will give distance star Ellie Keene the weekend off, according to head coach Tom Lux, so the Longhorns will look to Emily Petros (36'4.5 triple jump PR) to lead the way.