CdM boys ready for PCL

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR -- The consensus favorite of the Pacific Coast League

in boys track and field is Northwood High. But don’t tell that to

Corona del Mar coach Bill Sumner.

The Sea Kings are always his favorite, especially after the way

they have been performing throughout the first three meets of the

season.

Sumner didn’t predict CdM would win the PCL title, but he knows

the Sea Kings won’t back down from the Timberwolves.

“Northwood is still the favorite,” Sumner said. “But there ain’t

going to be no free rides here. They’re going to have their hands

full. I think we’re going to be pretty strong. We match up pretty

good.”

The Sea Kings are 4-1 after one dual meet and two tri-meets, as

they prepare for the PCL season. Junior Chris Ringstrom has been one

of CdM standouts, thus far and he’s concentrating on building off the

momentum he created in the 200 meters last season.

After racing in the 200 for only the final month of the season,

Ringstrom was fast enough to qualify for the CIF preliminaries, and

he advanced to the finals after a 22.85. He finished in second in the

200 in the PCL and third in the 100 in league. CdM finished second to

Northwood in the race for the PCL team title.

“We have Chris Ringstrom, and he keeps everyone honest,” Sumner

said. “I don’t care how fast you are. You have to be pretty fast to

beat Ringstrom.”

The Sea Kings also feature sophomore Andrew Wong, who qualified

for CIF in the pole vault last year. In the distance events, junior

Kevin Artz is among the leaders for CdM.

Senior Blake Dillion is a natural leader for the Sea Kings and

he’s one of a handful of CdM athletes who compete in at least three

events at each meet.

“The CdM boys are looking great,” Sumner said. “Servite is a great

team (CdM defeated Servite, 72-64, Wednesday). I don’t think they

came at us full force. The results just tell you what you ended up

with. We were happy that we beat them. I thought it would be close.”

CdM has the top 1,600 relay time in the county. Artz, Dillion,

Borcoman and Ringstrom completed the 400 relay in 3:30.9.

The Sea Kings have plenty of bodies this season and their depth

should make them a threat. Matt Morrs (sprints and relays), Michael

Rudinica (distance), Bo Weidner (distance) and Eemaan Jalili

(hurdles) are expected to make key contributions this season.

Rudinica and Weidner will continue to run cross country and

compete in track and field at Loyola Marymount next year, Sumner

said.