Sunset in the Park - Thursday August 28, 2003 - Central Park - Huntington Beach

Sunset in the Park - Thursday August 28, 2003 - Central Park - Huntington Beach

Link to 2002 Coverage (Michael Haddan 14:31 and Kristen Berglas 18:51 winners)

Chelsea Owens (left) and Anna Attard (white and red to the right) lead early in the Girls Race

Chelsea Owens, a middle schooler from Orange County, leads early - Anna Attard near the end of her winning 17:37 effort

Attard after the race

Annually, a "coming out" race for many in the Southern Section, the "Sunset in the Park" race in Central Park in Huntington Beach featured its usual series of very, very fine performances. Anna Atttard (unat/Marina, Huntington Beach) and impressive Fitsum Tesfa (unat/Don Lugo, Chino) were the individual winners, with the Don Lugo Boys group, competing unattached, seeming worthy of a "near the top" ranking at any level in the state!

Attard took over from early pacestter Chelsea Owens (informed she is an Orange County middle-schooler - wow!!!) in the Girls contest, and eased away to nearly a 200 meter win at 17:37 on the 2.8 mile course that faetured one good hill.

• Girls Results
• 1. Anna Attard 17:37
• 2. Chelsea Owens 18:19
• 3. Grace Gonzalez 18:23
• 4. Rocio Pelayo 18:25
• 5. Jazmin Naranjo 18:26
• 6. Gabriela Santana 18:28
• 7. Caprice Thompson 18:29
• 8. Allison Kelly 18:30
• 9. Alexandra Salinas 18:33
• 10. Megan Adams 18:37

In the Boys' contest it was Michael Haddan (Unat/Woodbridge HS, Irvine) who was the early leader, but determined eleventh grader Fitsum Tesfa (Unat/Don Lugo) moved up and past, with the 9:43 3200m runner from the spring track season obviously have done some serious training the summer. Tesfa was 14:29 for the win, with Haddan 14:38 next.

• Boys Results
• 1. Fitsum Tesfa 14:29
• 2. Michael Haddan 14:38
• 3 Damon Ferrara 14:53
• 4. Alfred Gonzalez 15:06
• 5. Ruben Ramirez 15:11
• 6. Alex Mercado 15:19
• 7. Nathan Wolack 15:26
• 8. Ryan Gordon 15:26
• 9. Kyle Ramirez 15:29
• 10. Van Nguyen 15:34

- Don Lugo crew at the start with winner Fitsum Tesfa in all dark uniform in center

Michael Haddan the early pace-setter - Don Lugo Pack will be very tough this year!!!