Hall of Fame
The 2007 Orange Lutheran girls cross-country season began with high hopes. Bolstered by the leadership of several experienced senior leaders, including Kirsta Andrew, Anna Bray, Taylor Dutch, Clarissa Kenney, and Jane Kerner, the team set out ot make a return to the California State Championships. Already one of the most accomplished runners in school history, Junior Staci Foster brought additional firepower to the potent lineup. Up-and-coming junior Bianca Ricca, as well as sophomore Hilary Mills, were looking for an opportunity to make an impact. Finally, the emergence of talented freshmen Ava Kent and Taylor Williams brought additional promise and depth as the team began summer practice in July of 2007.Â
In September, at the Woodbridge and Stanford Invitationals, two of the nation's largest and most competitive regular season cross-country meets, the Lancers left no doubt that they intended to be in the hunt in 2007. At each meet, the girls drew statewide attention by shattering Orange Lutheran team-time records and by staging upsets over highly-ranked rivals.Â
At the Trinity League Championship meet, the girls not only defeated their opponents but did so in dominating fashion, placing five scoring runners in the top seven, going 3-4-5-6-7. This championship began a streak of three consecutive years of undefeated seasons in the Trinity League.Â
After reaching the CIF Finals, the team continued to break records, this time running the fastest team time in school history on the famed Mt. SAC course. The team finished 2nd to national powerhouse Corona Del Mar by a close margin, qualifying for the State Meet and setting the stage for an exciting battle two days after Thanksgiving.Â
On a cool November morning at Woodward Park in Clovis, CA, seven Lancers toed the starting line. As the gun cracked for the start of the meet the girls began a race that - 19 minutes and 27 seconds later - culminated in accomplishing something that no girls Lancer team, in any sport, had ever done. Staci, Taylor, Jane, Ava, Bianca, Taylor, and Kirsta had wwon the 2007 California Division III State Championship.Â
