Tustin’s Depth Overcomes Santa Ana

Santa Ana had the front runners, but it was Tustin’s depth that won a second consecutive Golden West League title in Central Park.

Both teams scored 32 points, but Tustin’s faster sixth runner gave it the tie-breaker.

“I would’ve never guessed it,” Tiller Coach Tom Coffey said. “They beat us up front and we beat them on depth.”

Santa Ana’s Alfonso Leon won the three-mile race in 15 minutes 27 seconds and the Saints put three runners among the race’s top five. The Tillers’ sixth man, Ray Vergara in 16:41 for 16th place, gave the Tillers the edge.

Defending league champion Daniel Smith (15:57), junior C.J. Marciales (16:01) and senior Tom Coffey (16:13) finished fourth, sixth and seventh for Tustin. Seniors Brian Cameron (13th in 16:34) and Vergara proved to be the difference.

Sophomore Juan Salgado (14:45) and senior Raul Quinones (15:59) finished third and fifth for Santa Ana.

Tustin sophomore Truc Tran ran away from Santa Ana standouts Araceli Monje (19:14) and Brenda Nava (19:40) in the final mile to win the girls’ individual title in 18:58.

The Saint girls scored 42 to points to win their first league title, Coach Darrell Newman said, edging runner-up Rosary (56 points).

In the Cal State Invitational boys’ water polo tournament:

Foothill 10, Corona del Mar 5--Rob Arroyo scored three goals and Jeff Pflueger had two goals for top-ranked Foothill (21-1) in a quarterfinal win. Matt McPherson scored four goals for Foothill in its 23-5 first-round victory.

In Orange League boys’ water polo:

Brea Olinda 13, Valencia 2--Brian Doherty had three goals and goalkeeper Jason Hart had 12 saves for Brea Olinda (16-4, 7-0).

In Sunset League boys’ water polo:

Los Alamitos 14, El Dorado 11--David Kong scored three goals for third-ranked Los Alamitos (18-5, 4-0).

In Olympic League girls’ tennis:

Connelly 12, Brethren Christian 6--Ali Cook swept her singles sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, to lead Connelly (12-6, 9-1) to a share of the Olympic League title with Cerritos Valley Christian.