Girls cross-country getting ready for season meets

Last year Fallbrook High School’s girls cross-country team finished tenth in the CIF Division I meet but fourth among the five Avocado League teams. With El Camino High School returning its top five runners, Fallbrook coach Troy Hamlin has set improving upon its 2005 CIF finish as the team’s primary goal.

“Anything can happen,” Hamlin said. “We’re just looking forward to having a good time and going out to do our best.”

The season begins September 1 with the Vaquero Stampede invitational around Lindo Lake in Lakeside. “The girls are coming together as a good, solid unit,” Hamlin said.

Four of Fallbrook’s top five runners from 2005 return. Senior Caitlin Hilliard had graduated, but the Warriors’ top four runners consist of seniors Amy Hansen and Alex Nygren, junior Briana Lopez, and sophomore Noelle Garcia.

Seven runners from each team compete at a high school cross-country meet and the top five runners are scored, although in the event of a tie the positions of the teams’ sixth runners are used as a tiebreaker. While four of the runners have been determined barring any injuries, the other three spots are up for grabs. Leslie Grantham, a junior in her second year as a cross-country runner, is a likely candidate. Sophomores Taty Lietelt and Carrie Jercinovich are also contenders. The 2006 squad also includes junior Cassie Howell, a transfer from North Carolina.

“I’m pleased with the team,” Hamlin said. “We’ll see what we can do in a very tough league.”