CdM drives the bus

Bryce Alderton

Quality prevailed over quantity on the Corona del Mar High track

Wednesday.

Even though visiting Tesoro brought five busloads of athletes, CdM

showed who was boss in the final Pacific Coast League track and field

dual meet of the season.

The CdM boys improved to 5-0 in league with an 89-38 victory while

the girls scored a 79-48 margin to pull into a tie with University --

also 4-1 in league -- heading into the PCL preliminaries, Monday at

Irvine High. League finals will follow Thursday. The boys hold a slim

margin over second-place Northwood (4-1).

Tesoro’s girls beat University, which defeated CdM, making CdM

Coach Bill Sumner even more perplexed.

“How could it be?” Sumner asked as he glanced across the infield

grass where Tesoro’s approximate 200 athletes set up camp. “Just look

at all those buses.”

It was CdM, though, that went on a joy ride Wednesday, sending a

message to fellow PCL teams that it is a force to be reckoned with.

Freshman Anne St. Geme continued her assault through this season

by tripling in the 800 meters (2:33.5), 1,600 (5:30.4) and 3,200

(11:57.1). It was her first 3,200 this season.

“I used my sprinting ability in the fifth and sixth laps, but

[Sumner] didn’t want me pushing it like that,” St. Geme said about

the 3,200. “I was thinking the pace was slow the first lap, but it

picks up.”

Sophomore Melissa Swigert doubled for CdM, winning the 200 (25.8)

and 400 (59.7). She was on the victorious 400 relay team (52.2) with

Kinzie Kramer, Lindsey Manning and Kelly Morgan.

Swigert switched to pushing off with her left foot last week and

the result, so far, has been favorable.

“I feel more explosive starting out,” she said.

The boys also showed their prowess Wednesday, giving Sumner added

optimism.

“We were picked to finish third in league,” Sumner said. “Now, we

are the team to beat.”

The boys won 11 individual events and both relays Wednesday, with

juniors Chris Ringstrom and Kevin Artz, along with senior Blake

Dillion, each doubling. Ringstrom crossed the finish line first in

the 200 (22.3) and 400 (51.2), while Artz won the 800 (2:06.7) and

1,600 (4:46.6). Dillion leaped 20-3 1/4 in the long jump -- only the

second time he has competed in the event this season -- and went

37-10 in the triple jump.

Artz, Brandon Borcoman, Mark Cianciulli and Ringstrom won the 400

relay (44.6) while Brian La Perle, Matt Morris, Cianciulli and

Ringstrom comprised the winning 1,600 relay (3:30.4).

“Ringstrom wins races, he doesn’t care who is there,” Sumner said.

Junior Sara Claster, Whitney Weidner, Morgan and Nicole Parise won

the girls 1,600 relay (4:29.6).

Trisha Mizusawa in the 100 hurdles (18.6) and Jenna Wood in the

discus (95-11) were additional CdM winners.

Mike Rudinica in the 3,200 (10:35), Matt Morris in the 100 (11.4),

Eemaan Jalili in the 110 high hurdles (17.1), junior Ross McKee in

the 300 intermediate hurdles (45.4), and Stephen Minard in the high

jump (5-10) all won events for the CdM boys.

McKee, who will graduate in June having completed all his

coursework, made a push the final 75 meters to edge his opponent.

McKee clipped the second-to-last hurdle, but that hardly impaired his

momentum.

“You have to tune that out and just keep driving,” McKee said.