There was a point in the season Westlake's Abigail Smith didn't think she would be able to compete this year.

The sophomore missed all of her winter training and the first three weeks of the season.

But the defending Div. II 100-meter champion made her way back on to the track and is now ready to defend her title.

Smith won her 100-meter heat in 11.69 seconds at the Southern Section Div. II prelims Saturday at Moorpark High.

"I didn't think I would be running 11s after missing so much time," said Smith, who combined with Brooke Edell, Sara Schwartz and Nicole Greenberg to also qualify in the 4 x 100 relay (48.09).

"I am grateful that I was able to come back and compete. I got upset because I thought I wouldn't do that well this season."

Edell also made the cut in the 100 (12.26), along with Eastside's Whitney Knox (12.21), who also advanced in the 200 (25.07), and Golden Valley's Azaria Hill (11.87), who qualified in three events.

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