Garcia and Mariah Chapin were fourth and eighth, respectively, in the Division III freshman race at Laguna Hills, where Aguilar finished 12th in the Division III senior race.
Garcia had the top time of the day among Eagles (19:16).
NEWPORT HARBOR
Coach: Eric Tweit (19th year)
2007: CIF State and CIF Southern Section Division II champions; third in Sunset League.
Key returners: Erica Pearson, Sr.; Desiree Alexander, Sr.; Tori Sarris, So.; Ava Nelson, Jr.; Patti Moddelmog, Jr.; Stephanie Hayes, Sr;
Key newcomers: Jordan Murrel, So.; Molly Anderson, Fr.; Lauren Clemence, Fr.; Camille Jolly, Fr.; Kasey DeYoung, Jr; Mackenna Zorn, Jr.; Emily Wilson, Jr.
Outlook: Tweit said his top four are as good or better than last year’s highly successful squad, but finding a fifth could determine whether to Sailors, ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division II and No. 11 in the state by Dyestat.com, are able to accomplish their lofty goals
Alexander (17:33) and Pearson (17:48) finished first and second, respectively, in the Division II senior race at Laguna Hills and Tweit said Pearson may turn out to be among the best the program has ever produced.
With Alexander contributing since her freshman season, Newport has won two section titles, one state crown and been state runner-up in its division the other two years.
Sarris fifth in the Division II sophomore race Saturday, and Nelson was ninth in the division’s junior race.
The bid to defend the state crown became more difficult when Saugus, last year’s state Division I champion, was dropped to Division II.
SAGE HILL
Coach: Nate Miller (ninth year)
2007: Sixth in CIF Southern Section Division V; 12th in CIF State Division V.
Key returners: Cait Williamson, Sr.; Jackie Dion, Jr.; Megan Culberson, Jr.
Key newcomers: Caroline Grant, Fr.; Laura Goetz, Jr.; Leah Sams, Jr.; Lena Xiao, Sr.
Outlook: Williamson won the CIF Southern Section Division V individual title last fall and qualified for the section finals in the 1,600 last spring. Williamson was third in the Division III senior race at Laguna Hills. Miller said she was among the top five heading into last year’s section cross country finals and put together a terrific race to top the field.
With only three returners — Dion was 31st at the Division V section finals, where Simon finished 50th — Miller said the newcomers must step up if the Lightning are to challenge St. Margaret’s for the Academy crown.
“Overall, it’s a great group and they’ve bonded really well early on,” Miller said.
The Bolts were ranked No. 3 in the section coaches’ Division V preseason poll.
BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.
