Sea Kings’ foursome fearsome

Bill Sumner does not mind admitting his team has a hole. The Corona del Mar High boys cross country coach tells his athletes all the time about how the fifth spot in the Sea Kings’ pecking order is the team’s soft, white underbelly.

Sumner, entering his 23rd year with the team, knows each time he mentions there is an opening, it just makes those who are gunning for it work even harder.

“We’re giving someone a chance to go after it,” Sumner said. “It tells those four guys, ‘You want it? Come and get it. It’s right here.’ ”

Sumner does not consider the opening to be a weakness. It might be for another school, but not one with the top four runners the Sea Kings boast.

“This is the best four we’ve had in 10 years,” Sumner said.

Seniors Tommy Hutchison, Tim Scott and Brian Licorish return from last season’s team. All three have run the mile faster than 4 minutes, 30 seconds.

Junior Thomas Dialynas, who joined the team halfway through 2005, rounds out a strong top quartet.

Scott, though, stands alone, both on the course and off. Last season he was the Sea Kings’ top finisher at the CIF Southern Section Division III finals, a race in which the team finished third.

Scott was 19th with a time of 19:16.3.

Outside of running, he also distinguishes himself from the group.

“Tim reminds me of James Dean,” Sumner said. “Tim is tough to read. He’s pretty quiet. Sometimes I wonder if he even talks at all. He’s a little bit of a rebel.”

Sumner added that his top runner is a “great listener.”

“He might end up being one of the best guys in Orange County,” Sumner said.

The other runners in the top four are similar in character but fill different roles. Two of Hutchison’s three years on the team, CdM missed advancing to the state meet by 20 seconds or less.

“He always reminds everyone of that,” Sumner said.

Dialynas is a little different. He is focused on tasks and goals, but enjoyment ranks a close second.

“Thomas always reminds us we’re supposed to be having fun,” Sumner said. “He says, ‘Hey guys, we have to complete this goal, but don’t forget to have fun.’ ”

Dialynas and Hutchison provide motivation in different ways, Sumner said.

“Those are two guys I look to for serious leadership,” Sumner said.

As for the fifth spot, it’s a competition between four guys, which will give Corona del Mar added depth.

Junior Alex Jaich, seniors Curtis Converse and Tri Nguyen, as well as sophomore transfer Richard Demarco will all compete for the spot.

Sumner said the real competition is between Jaich and Nguyen.

“They are kind of dueling with each other,” Sumner said.

And when the dust settles, all Sumner needs to do is look down at his stopwatch.

“It’s crystal clear,” Sumner said. “I’m the luckiest coach because my sport is judged by the stopwatch.”

As always, the goals remain the same: Do better than last season, which means better than third at the section final and seventh at the state meet.

“We have big hopes and big plans,” Sumner said. “It’s good to have lofty goals. They’re on the path to success right now. I don’t see too many ways we can’t get there.”

Sumner expects the Sea Kings to sneak up on some schools early on.

“The boys are going to be a real unknown for other teams, but they’re for real,” Sumner said.

Sumner has taken at least one of his teams (boys and/or girls) to the state meet each of the past 18 years.

This year should be no different.

“They’ve been chomping at the bit,” Sumner said. “I personally think this is the best team I’ve had in 10 years.”

The Sea Kings open their season at the Laguna Hills Invitational on Sept. 9.

THE SEA KINGS

Tommy Hutchison Sr.

Tim Scott Sr.

Brian Licorish Sr.

Thomas Dialynas Jr.

Alex Jaich Jr.

Curtis Converse Sr.

Tri Nguyen Sr.

Richard Demarco So.

Coach: Bill Sumner

(23rd year)