Emma Hadley and Isabella Frisone, seniors at Anaheim Canyon High in California and two-time Division 2 state cross country finalists, join DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss their memorable 35-36 victory Oct. 16 over JSerra in the sweepstakes race at the 54th Orange County Championships at Oak Canyon Park, securing the first girls team title in program history for the Comanches. Frisone expresses gratitude for Mission Viejo coach Robert Belo and El Toro coach Ken Chai for organizing the event, when it looked in August like the meet might not be held for a second straight year, following the cancellation of the competition last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hadley revisits a 66-72 loss to Mission Viejo at the county meet during their freshman year in 2018, along with an 80-110 setback to El Toro in 2019, and how those experiences created even more urgency for the Comanches to win their first championship this season. Frisone examines how those setbacks provided greater significance and perspective for how meaningful capturing the title has been. She also shares how the members of the Anaheim Canyon championship lineup will take turns keeping the team trophy in their respective houses, in the spirit of teammates passing along the Stanley Cup to have in their possession during the National Hockey League offseason. Hadley analyzes how instrumental the performances were from teammates Makena Oliva, Keira Potter, Heather Greenbaum, Lindsay Guthrie and Diana Bolton, all of whom are sophomores and juniors, to help Anaheim Canyon overcome a projected 21-point deficit against JSerra following the mile. Frisone also explains her excitement over rebounding from a disappointing performance Oct. 9 at the 42nd ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno to place fourth overall in 18:09.7, her best career finish at the county meet. Hadley, who secured second in 17:48.1, shares how impressed she is with Laguna Hills freshman Holly Barker, who became the first ninth-grader to win the sweepstakes crown since Allyson Marquand of Irvine University in 1995. They both look ahead to the Division 1-2 girls sweepstakes race Oct. 23 at the 73rd Mt. SAC Invitational and the third matchup this season for Anaheim Canyon against Division 2 rival Mira Costa, in addition to the Crestview League final Nov. 3 as part of the Century Conference Championships at Yorba Regional Park, before the team returns to Mt. SAC on Nov. 13 and 20 for the Southern Section prelims and finals, ahead of the Nov. 27 state championship meet at Woodward Park.

WATCH THE 73RD MT. SAC CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL LIVE OCTOBER 22-23 WITH A RUNNERSPACE +PLUS SUBSCRIPTION