CdM first in DMR

ARCADIA — A day and half straight of competition at the Arcadia Invitational had not zapped the Corona del Mar High girls’ track and field team of enthusiasm or energy.

The team built like a wave, growing with each victory and personal record, before reaching its peak, a victory in the distance medley and trip back to the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June.

The Sea Kings came in having won the event the past two years at the meet, establishing an Arcadia Invitational record each time. This time, with the bleachers packed and the stadium lights shining brightly, the Sea Kings showed they had the ability to track down as much as they could lead.

Junior Alison Damon, sophomore Claire Schmidt, senior Hilary May and junior Shelby Buckley won the distance medley relay, which covers 4,000 meters, in 11 minutes, 41.28 seconds. Sea Kings Coach Bill Sumner was eyeing a time of 11:50, but the competition bumped it up.

“We were playing catch up from the start,” said Sumner, who added that this foursome can break the school record of 11:34.65 posted last year at the nationals.

Damon took the opening leg, her first time running 1,200 meters. She had the lead for nearly all three laps, but fell into fourth just before passing the baton to Schmidt.

“I wasn’t used to it,” Damon said. “I really liked the distance. I think I would have to stay in the pack longer next time.”

Schmidt moved the Sea Kings into third place over one lap.

“I was hoping to pass as many people as I can,” Schmidt said. “Coach said to go out hard and finish hard. I’m really excited about going to nationals. I hope I do it two more times.”

May started her 800 in third place and by the time she passed the baton to Buckley the Sea Kings were in second. The 800 is May’s favorite race and a relay with 18 teams fits her ability to think on the fly.

“I was so excited to run in the [distance medley relay], this crowd, the night, the lights,” May said. “You can’t pace too much. You can’t go out too hard. I love running in traffic. Every decision counts.”

Buckley started the final 1,600 behind by 50 meters. With each lap she slowly made up the distance. Then with 75 meters to go she blew into the lead.

“I surprised myself,” Buckley said. “I thought I don’t know if I can catch her. I thought she would bull at 400. But she didn’t. I thought she probably has sprint speed so I have to go hard. I knew that I could catch her.”

Earlier in the evening, Buckley and Damon finished fifth and sixth respectively in the 1,600. Buckley’s 4:51.54 was a personal record for her before she ran 4:50 in the medley. Damon’s time of 4:54.85 was also a personal record.

Sea Kings’ senior Sarah Cummings added her own highlight to the team’s evening with her run in the 3,200. Cummings finished a stunning .16 seconds out of third place with a time of 10:28.82, putting Cummings in with the California elite.

“I was really comfortable with that pack,” said Cummings, who was in seventh through the first three laps. “People started falling off without me losing my stride. I think it was the position I was in. I was really excited. Usually after a race I’m hurting. I wasn’t even hurting tonight.”

Newport Harbor seniors Allison Stokke and Jessica Robson came up just short of their expectations in their respective events, but left with smiles nonetheless.

Stokke finished tied for second in the pole vault at 12 feet, 7 inches. Defending state champion Tori Athony took the top spot at 13-7, which Stokke said fuels her motivation.

“I was excited I made my opening height because I no-heighted last year here,” Stokke said. “That was my first goal. I was a little disappointed not making 13-1. I had a good opportunity to do it one time but I was looking at the bar and aiming at the bar. That’s a bad habit of mine. It will just take more practice, get everything down smooth.”

Robson is tied for the best mark in the state in the high jump this season and facing the remainder of California’s elite, they all left with the event still up for grabs. Robson reached 5-4, with 5-6 taking the title.

“I wanted to at least get 5-6,” Robson said. “I did the long jump this morning, so I’ve been here all day. I felt good warming up. Nobody did well today, maybe it was the weather. My goal for this year was 5-8. I made that so I want to get the school record. The record is 5-10, so my goal is 5-10 1/4 . I want to go to state. I think my jumping has improved and last year I no-heighted at CIF, so hopefully this year I will make it.”

Robson finished 10th in the long jump at 16-11 1/2 and her teammate, senior Laura Clayton, was 12th in the triple jump at 35-4. Corona del Mar’s Tiffany Liu was fifth at 36-1. Newport Harbor’s Cassidy Gayner was second in her section in the 300 hurdles open in 45.57. Sailors senior Melissa Mead was third in the 3,200 open in 10:55.61. The Corona del Mar boys’ distance medley team of Tim Scott, Bret Grainger, Curtis Converse and Tom Hutchison finished sixth in the open division.