TRACK AND FIELD: A day of many triumphant returns for Saugus

Three of Saugus' top female distance runners returned to the track after long breaks from competition Thursday against Valencia and the results were significant for the Centurions.

Although Danielle Hernando competed at the JV level after rehabilitating a sore hip, she was one of the stars of the meet, winning the 800 in a personal-best 2:26.01, the 1,600 in 5:27.17 and anchoring the victorious 1,600 relay with a split of around 63 seconds.

Following Hernando in the 800 was fellow sophomore Kaylin Mahoney, who took second in 2:28.02 in her first race since Dec. 6 at the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon. Mahoney was on crutches for a lengthy period after suffering a stress reaction in her left leg late in the cross country season. She had been rehabilitating with a steady schedule of bike riding and swimming before recently returning to track workouts.

Brianna Jauregui, who like twin brother Brandon, has been slowed by a nagging Achilles' injury, took to the track for the first time since competing March 12 against Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta. The senior separated herself from the pack of the girls' varsity 3,200 just past the midway point and went on to win in 11:43.36, ahead of teammates Amber Murakami (11:45.30) and Stephanie Bulder (11:45.77).

All three athletes are scheduled to compete again Saturday in the Distance Meet of Champions at Mt. San Antonio College.