“Everyone is a little older and more experienced.”
The Falcons top runners figure to be Eliza Collison in the distance and sprinters Jessica Beerman, Tiernan Hebron and Carli Opland. Oplund and Hebron helped Crescenta Valley win a Pacific League championship in the 4x400 relay last season.
Hannah Gerald, Claudia Sepulveda and Laura Hovsepian will be the main hurdlers. The Falcons will also return Melanie Samvalian, who won her first league title in the shot put last season, and high jumper Kristina Gustovich.
“It’s going to be a tough and competitive league once again,” Evans said. “Arcadia will be strong and balanced, and I know Burroughs will be very tough.”
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy finished 3-2 in the competitive Mission League last season. While the Tologs lost a couple of key athletes to graduation, they do return sophomore sprinter Drew Washington and sophomore distance runner Stephanie Vargas.
Washington finished eighth in the 400 at the CIF Southern Section Division IV finals. Vargas placed second in the 1,600 at the league final last season, but plans call for her to likely also participate in the 800 this season.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Coach Eddie Gorton will rely on Washington to keep the Tologs, who will also bring back Tina Smith in the pole vault, in their meets.
“I think Drew can get back to the division final in the 400,” Gorton said. “She’s a heck of a leader and she can show the new girls how to run because she wasn’t afraid to race against seniors last year.”
Expectations are lofty at Holy Family, where Coach Robert Bringas will have some much-needed depth to possibly challenge for the Horizon League championship.
