PREP NOTES

After a two-year drought, the Newport Harbor girls’ cross-country team returns to the State meet at Woodward Park Saturday in Fresno.

The Sailors, who won Division II state titles in 1987 and 1988, won the III-A title at the Southern Section Championships at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, defeating San Marino, 45-74.

The four seniors on this year’s team were freshmen the last time Newport Harbor competed in Fresno, but they never ran varsity because they weren’t good enough to make the team.

“The 12 freshmen we have now are better than the seniors were as freshmen,” Newport Harbor Coach Eric Tweit said. “All these girls (on varsity) have worked so hard.”