Garcia selected as girls cross-country team MVP

The Most Valuable Player award for Fallbrook High School’s girls cross-country team was presented to junior Noelle Garcia during the post-season banquet November 27 at the high school’s Burton Performing Arts Center.

“Noelle just had an exceptional season. She just kept stepping it up week in and week out,” said Fallbrook coach Troy Hamlin.

Garcia began the season by finishing second in the Vaquero Stampede hosted by El Capitan High School. She was fifth at both the Woodbridge Invitational and the Mt. SAC Invitational, and she was the first runner across the finish line in the meets with Vista and Carlsbad.

She finished eighth at the Avocado League meet to earn first-team all-league honors and was 19th at the CIF San Diego Section Division I meet to earn second-team all-CIF recognition.

“Those were all huge accomplishments,” Hamlin said.

The team’s Most Inspirational award went to freshman Kristin Parry. “She certainly earned that honor,” Hamlin said.

Parry took seventh place among freshmen at the Dana Hills Invitational. She earned first-team all-league status with a ninth-place finish at the Avocado League meet and finished 13th in the CIF San Diego Section Division I race to earn second-team all-CIF honors and a berth at the state meet.

Junior Olivia Tidd was selected for the team’s Most Improved award. “She’s been a highlight to the season,” Hamlin said. “She’s a hard worker and she brings in a tremendous attitude.”

The banquet also honored team captains Garcia, Leslie Grantham, and Briana Lopez. Grantham and Lopez are both seniors.

Coaches’ Awards were presented to five Warrior seniors: Grantham, Lopez, Cassie Mulkey, Jade Lawrence, and Madison Donaghue.

Junior varsity awards went to freshman Nicole Van Duzer, who was selected as the JV’s Most Valuable Player, and to sophomore Chelsea Carpenter, who earned Most Improved.

Carpenter was cut from the volleyball team and tried out for cross-country. “She turned herself into a runner in the course of the season,” Hamlin said.

The banquet also included a highlight video and a tribute to boys cross-country coach Marty Hauck, who suffered a fatal heart attack September 19.