Young Sea Kings qualify for state

Steve Virgen

They are led by a sophomore and a freshman, and their coach insists

the future is now. Such is the standard at Corona del Mar High, where

girls cross country has seemingly become synonymous with great

expectations.

The bar was raised higher Saturday, when the Sea Kings finished

second in Division III of the CIF Southern Section finals at Mt. San

Antonio College. Sophomore Annie St. Geme led the Sea Kings with a

second-place finish in 18:15, while freshman Hilary May came in 12th

in 19:09.

The Sea Kings thought they could defeat Santa Margarita, which has

five seniors, three of whom are the Eagles’ top runners. But CdM’s

youth proved to be the difference, said Sea King Coach Bill Sumner.

The Eagles won with 89 points and CdM had 108.

“Santa Margarita came through in the last 400 meters,” Sumner

said. “I was really proud of our girls for going after it. I think

they were incredible. My kids were in the lead with about 2 3/4 miles

remaining. But I just stood there and watched experience go right

past us.”

Sumner was pleased by the fact that CdM will be making its 17th

straight appearance at the CIF State championships Nov. 29 at

Woodward Park in Fresno. The CdM coach, who is in his 20th season at

the helm, said his team had every intention of winning the CIF

Division II title. The Sea Kings have not won a CIF title since 2000.

He bet his girls that if they won Saturday he would have shaved

off his mustache. They came in second, but the expectations remain

high for next week. Shortly after the Sea Kings were honored as

runners-up, May came to Sumner and said, “Don’t put that razor away

yet. We have the state meet next week.”

CdM, which has won the Pacific Coast League title five straight

years, also received contributions from juniors Devon Ahearn (33rd in

19:48) and Ahlia Kattan (34th in 19:48). Freshman Christie St. Geme

(41st in 19:55) and senior Taryn Kawata (43rd in 19:56) also finished

under 20 minutes, while senior Sara Claster suffered scrapes and

bruises after a hard fall, but finished 74th in 20:45.

“What do I see in the future? Today is the future,” Sumner said.

“You saw it today. You saw it last year. It’s here. Our rebuilding

year is fourth in CIF. When you can go from [ranked] No. 8 [in CIF

Division III] to second and you work your way up, that’s the future

right now.”