Sweet redemption

Steve Virgen

After running their best cross country race of the season, the

Newport Harbor High girls congratulated one another with hugs, but

then suddenly paused when the top seven teams of Division II were

announced at the CIF Southern Section finals Saturday at Mt. San

Antonio College.

The top seven teams advance to the CIF State championships Nov. 29

at Woodward Park in Fresno. The first three teams that were announced

were the seventh-, sixth- and fifth-place squads, and the Sailors

became nervous. They thought they would just make the cut to go on to

the state meet, so they were worried.

“In fourth place, Woodbridge.” And then more worry.

“In third, Newport Harbor.” And then frenzy.

Newport Harbor earned third place in CIF Division II and qualified

for the CIF State championships next week. The Sailors surprised

themselves and definitely raised the eyebrows of many. Newport

entered the CIF finals with the seventh-best team time, 98:08, just

seven seconds faster than the ninth.

“People were probably thinking we were on the bubble,” said

Newport Coach Eric Tweit who predicted his team would advance to the

state meet. “To go from being on the bubble to finishing third and

being only 11 points out of third place is just a great testament to

all these young ladies. I can’t think of a group that’s ever stepped

up and ran that well for us.”

The Sailors were also pleased they finished ahead of Sea View

League champion Woodbridge. Tweit said it was a matter of respect

that they were so excited about finishing ahead of the Warriors, who

took fourth.

Sultana won the Division II title with 49 points and Cypress came

in second with 123.

Newport, which finished with 134 points, last reached the state

championships in 2000 when they were led by Amber Steen. Lauren Paul

was a freshman back then, but now she’s leading the Sailors as the

team’s lone senior. Paul, who has been battling pain in her foot, was

the Sailors’ top runner, finishing 12th in 18:26. Junior Courtney

Marshall, who ran in her fourth race of the season, finished 23rd

(18:46), and sophomore Whitney Blue, in her first varsity season,

came in 29th (19:01).

“We thought we would be the seventh team,” Marshall said. “When

they called seven, six and five we were thinking we didn’t make it.

Then all of a sudden, third and we just went crazy.”

Freshman Lauren Maddox proved to be the difference-maker for the

Sailors. Last week she was out with bronchitis, but she came through

for Newport Saturday as the team’s No. 4 girl, finishing 41st in

19:22 on her first time on the Mt. SAC course.

Newport junior Caitlin Mai somewhat typified the Sailors’ season

with her performance (84th in 20:52). She fell in the first 400

meters, but got back up and continued to run. Freshmen Taylor Bryson

(61st in 19:58) and Lily Dierkes (72nd in 20:12) also contributed for

Newport.

* BOYS: In the Division III race, Corona del Mar, which qualified

sixth from the CIF preliminaries, dropped to 10th and ended its

season. Estancia junior Alex Cahuantzi also did not advance to the

state championships, finishing in 54th (16:57).

Senior Kevin Artz led the Sea Kings, finishing 33rd in 16:31,

while Jack Turner came in 40th (16:37). Garrett Prechel (60th in

17:00), Kenneth Wong (61st in 17:07), Ryan Guthrie (64th in 17:14),

Brandon Borcoman (81st in 17:46) and J.C. Turner (85th in 18:01) also

competed for CdM.

In Division V, the Sage Hill boys, the Academy League champions,

finished 13th. The Lightning had grabbed the 13th spot in the prelims

last week, and Coach Nate Miller said the squad did its best to get

the most out of the experience.

Sophomore Zach Chandy led Sage Hill, as he finished 42nd (17:24).

Mike Voge (48th in 17:27), Tristan Cordier (66th in 18:01), Tim

Lefler (73rd in 18:13), Chris Chiboucas (84th in 18:38) and David Packard (93rd in 19:25) followed.