1994 PREP PREVIEW / BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY : Boys’ Cross-Country at a Glance

Top runners: Johann Appell, Estancia, Sr.; Tyler Beardslee, Corona del Mar, So.; Edgar Benitez, Katella, Jr.; Shahram DeZahd, Newport Harbor, Sr.; O.C. Franck, Servite, Sr.; Mike Gavar, Tustin, Jr.; Daniel Gonzalez, Mater Dei, Sr.; Dan Kozak, Mater Dei, Sr.; Miguel Lara, Century, Jr.; Erick Miramotes, Katella, Jr.; Brian Mitzel, Mater Dei, Sr.; Wenceslado Morales, Santa Ana, Jr.; Andy Morgan, Mission Viejo, Sr.; Michael Murray, Santa Margarita, So.; Joel Orozco, Santa Ana Valley, Sr.; George Pinto, Katella, Jr.; Adalberto Sanchez, Capistrano Valley, Sr.; Steve Sherman, Woodbridge, Sr.; Brian Slingsby, Corona del Mar, Sr.; Juan Venegas, Katella, Jr.; Ross Venook, Woodbridge, Jr.; Eric Wersching, Ocean View, Sr.

League favorites: Century: Villa Park; Empire: Katella; Freeway: La Habra; Garden Grove: Santiago; Golden West: Santa Ana; Olympic: Orange Lutheran; Orange: Brea-Olinda; Pacific Coast: Laguna Hills; Sea View: Newport Harbor; South Coast: Mater Dei; Sunset: Huntington Beach.

1993 final poll: 1. Santa Ana; 2. Katella; 3. Orange; 4. Villa Park; 5. Santa Margarita; 6. San Clemente; 7. Corona del Mar; 8. La Habra; 9. Mater Dei; 10. Dana Hills.

1994 preseason poll: 1. Katella; 2. Mater Dei; 3. Santiago; 4. Newport Harbor; 5. Corona del Mar; 6. Santa Ana; 7. San Clemente; 8. Orange; 9. Laguna Hills; 10. Tustin. Others: Century, Saddleback, Huntington Beach, Villa Park, Tustin, La Habra, Ocean View, Santa Margarita, Woodbridge.

Key dates: Woodbridge Invitational, Sept. 17; Dana Hills and Sonora invitationals, Sept. 24; Brea-Olinda Invitational, Oct. 1; Huntington Beach Central Park Invitational, Oct. 8; Orange County Championships, Oct. 15; Mt. San Antonio College Invitational, Oct. 22; League finals, Oct 29-Nov. 5; Southern Section prelims, Nov. 12; Section finals, Nov. 19; State Championships, Nov. 26; Foot Locker Western Regional, Dec. 3; Foot Locker National Championships, Dec. 10.

Notes: Coach Dave Zeitler’s Santa Margarita Eagles should be tough even without senior Ryan Wilkinson, who has chosen to sit out the season. . . . Tustin and Villa Park should also be factors in the county meet. . . . Ocean View’s Brian O’Bannon, a Master’s Meet qualifier at 800 meters in his first season last spring, hopes to continue his success in his first year running cross-country. . . . The teams from Capistrano Valley and San Clemente could supply two of the biggest surprises in the county this year. . . . Saddleback’s depth could make the Roadrunners a force in the newly formed Golden West League. . . . El Toro figured to be among the county’s best, until a automobile collision sidelined standouts Tomas Mejia and Martin Pennell.