HAYWARD — This whole thing started when Livermore High's Diana George began running with the Livermore Run Club during the summer.

At the time, George was thinking it would be a great way to start her high-school career. She wanted to make some friends and just get involved. She had no idea she'd make the team.

And she had no idea how good she could be. It turns out she can be really good.

The freshman, who captured the East Bay Athletic League title on Nov. 5, won the Division I North Coast Section race Saturday at Hayward High. She covered the 3.1-mile course in a time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds.

"I just wanted to make the team," George said of her overall experience. "I'm just trying to get used to the sport. I guess I just wanted to fit in."

She did more than fit in. While she's Livermore's lone qualifier for Saturday's state meet at Woodward Park in Fresno, her teammates couldn't have been happier for her after she guided the Cowboys to a fifth-place finish, with 191 points.

EBAL girls champion San Ramon Valley was against the league's top-finishing team Saturday, with 130 points, in fourth place.

College Park (42 points) and Castro Valley (94) nailed down the important top-two spots. Only the top two teams advance to the state meet, along with the top five individuals (not on a qualifying team).

As for George, regardless of what happens in Fresno it has been an exciting season for her, one she never really expected.

"I really enjoy my team, and this is great for relieving stress," George said. "My first race (back in September), I didn't know what to expect."

Now here she is, a qualifier for the state meet two months later.

"I really wanted to make state," George said. "I felt like I had to try my hardest to finish in the top five."

The only other girls state qualifier from the EBAL was San Ramon Valley's Alexis Nordine (19:07), who finished fifth. At the EBAL meet, Nordine was second with a time of 19:22.

On the boys side, the lone EBAL state qualifier was Chris Simpson of Monte Vista. The senior took second in the Division I race in a personal best 15:31. His previous personal best was 15:53.

Simpson, who has battled injuries his entire career, was happy to make state one last time.

"I just kept trying to push myself," Simpson said. "I love cross country, but track is my sport. I really wanted to finish first."

First place went to De La Salle's Tom Cox (15:18). Cox finished second behind Yosef Ghebray of James Logan last year.

In the team race, De La Salle took first with 46 points. Deer Valley (72) was second and Castro Valley (100) took third.