Trinity League Finals Preview

The question on both sides here is: How seriously does potential NXN team qualifier JSerra take winning the Trinity League title?

The perennial power Lions girls squad, currently sitting atop the California Divison 4 state rankings, is loaded with depth as they head to the 3-mile battle, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday at Central Park in Huntington Beach.

Coach Chase Frazier’s group fielded a toned-down squad Sept. 27 at the Trinity Preview, but sophomore Reese Holley crossed the line as the winner in 17:45.2. The Lions finished third as a team that day.

Two weeks later, at the prestigious 45th ASICS Clovis Invitational, the Lions powered to a runner-up finish among the state’s best.

Senior Sophie Polay led the way for the Lions, running 17:50.8 on the state meet course at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Then a week later, the Lions finished second as team at the Orange County Championships.

Anne Elise Packard is the defending league champ, while Chloe Elbaz, Brynn Garcia, Kaylah Tasser and freshman Kaia Streadback help compose one of the country’s deepest rosters.

The Santa Margarita girls won the Trinity Preview race, lead by Alahna Thomas (second, 17:56.3) and Riley Szuba (third, 18:28.8).

The Eagles placed five in the top seven overall en route to the victory with 23 points. Coach Mike Powers’ squad backed that performance up with a fifth-place team finish at the Orange County Championships.

In boys action, the Lions have seen an astounding seven different runners break 15:20 for three miles this fall.

Seniors Bradley Arrey and Taye Newman have taken turns being the lead runner, with juniors Luke Friedl, Jack Burnett, Cole Carlson and Alden Morales providing superior depth. Zac O’Leary ran 15:14 at Woodbridge and is the lone sophomore among the top seven for JSerra.

St John Bosco prevailed in the Trinity Preview meet, led by Edward Medina (third, 15:59.9), while Servite standout Emmanuel Lopez was the individual winner in 15:35.1.

2023 Trinity League Finals