The following was taken from the Tri-Valley Herald story by Matt Schwab reporting on the 2008 State Meet in Fresno on November 29, 2008:

FRESNO — Not far from the finish line at Woodward Park on Saturday, Livermore High senior Diana George sat next to a shady tree, trying to collect herself. She had just given her all in the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships girls Division II race, placing a career-best sixth in the culmination of her fine cross country career for the
Cowboys.

George's teammates were gathering a few feet away as she sipped bottled water, looking spent.

"She's amazing, man," Cowboys senior Abigail Gregg said. "It's crazy. She's what inspires all of us. She makes it meaningful for all of us."

But the Cowboys don't just travel by George. The senior, who managed to stave off Simi Valley junior Liberty Miller in the final two strides — both girls were timed in 18 minutes, 1 second over 5,000 meters — was backed by a stout team effort. The lean, green Livermore girls squad, which with just 15 members is dwarfed in size by the traditional state
powerhouses, finished fifth, the best finish in school history.

"We rode a nice wave this season," Livermore coach Ed Salazar said. "The thing about this girls team is they didn't run a bad race all season."

A three-time EBAL individual champion who finished second in this year's EBAL meet to Lillig, George was right with the lead group for about two miles but faded late."I wanted to get a good start, and then when we got to the (11/2 mile mark), I realized I was right with the front group. I was really surprised," she said. "I didn't expect to be that far up."

George said she drew on all four years of her hard work and preparation to stave off the fast-closing Miller.

Salazar mentioned junior No. 5 runner Hayley Sa, who scored in a meet for the first time this eason, as a big key to his team's showing.