PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Liberty Miller, Simi Valley

From her opening race of the fall, this was a record-breaking season for Miller, who erased many of her school's sophomore class records. Miller, the Ventura County champion by a 16-second time gap, won the Marmonte League title and placed fourth at the Division II section final. She was 12th at the CIF state championships. Among her top performances were a 17:30 time at the Woodbridge Invitational and 17:33 at the Mount San Antonio College Invitational. Miller enjoys cooking and playing video games. UCLA is her favorite college athletic program. Pepperoni pizza is her favorite food.

THE STAR’S FIRST TEAM

Erin Baird, Agoura

Closing out a successful cross country career, Baird placed 13th at the CIF Division II section finals. Baird was runner-up to Miller by four seconds at the Marmonte League finals in 18:00. She finished sixth at the Ventura County Championships. Baird has made straight A's throughout her high school career. She enjoys cycling, triathlons and cooking. The "Lion King" is her favorite movie. Baird enjoys listening to Jack Johnson. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is her favorite athlete.

Catherine Hasbrouck, Nordhoff

The sophomore placed fourth in the CIF Division IV state championships. She won the Division IV title at the Clovis Invitational in 18:38. Hasbrouck was an individual champion at the Blue Lagoon and Ojai Invitational races. At the Foot Locker West Regional, Hasbrouck was second in the sophomore race. She is a member of the Gold Key Club academic program. "Zoolander" is her favorite movie. Former world mile record holder Jim Ryun is her favorite athlete. She enjoys eating all Italian meals.

Courtney Lightfoot, Oak Park

After missing the 2006 season because of a foot injury, Lightfoot returned to help Oak Park finish second at the CIF Division III state championship. Lightfoot's second-place finish at the Ventura County Championships helped Oak Park win the team title. Lightfoot won the Tri-Valley League individual title in 18:39. She placed ninth at the CIF Division III section finals. At the Stanford Invitational, Lightfoot finished 13th.

Jenny Mallen, Newbury Park

The No. 1 runner for a Newbury Park program that just missed qualifying for the state championships, Mallen won five individual titles during the season. One of her season highlights was winning her Division II heat at the Mount San Antonio College Invitational, helping Newbury Park win the team title. She was 12th at the Division II section finals with a personal-best time of 18:03. Gymnastics and running are her favorite activities. Her favorite movie is "Remember the Titans." Her favorite band is Lifehouse.

Sarah Pearson, La Reina

Pearson placed fourth or higher in her last four cross country races. She was fifth at the Division IV state and section championship races. Pearson won her heat at the CIF-Southern Section Prelims and was fourth at the Tri-Valley League Championships. At the Clovis Invitational, Pearson was fourth in the Division IV final. Her favorite TV shows are "Project Runway", "Smallville" and "America's Next Top Model." The Postal Spruce is her favorite band. She enjoys reading, riding a bike and serving as a junior life guard.

Melissa Skiba, Oak Park

The sophomore became one of the leaders for a program that has ranked among the state's best over the past decade. Skiba was fifth at the CIF Division III state championships with a time of 18:30 for 5 kilometers. She was runner-up to teammate Courtney Lightfoot at the Tri-Valley League championships and placed fourth at the Ventura County Championships. Skiba maintains a 3.0 grade point average. Her favorite meal is pizza with ranch dressing. The Beatles are her all-time favorite band.