Burlingham express

Steve Virgen

Newport Harbor High produced intrigue, high points, low moments and a

great deal of suspense Friday. Yes, the Sailors’ experience in the

CIF Southern Section Division II track and field preliminaries read

like a book at Mt. San Antonio College.

The high points: Amy Burlingham, the Newport senior who will play

soccer for the University of Texas in the fall, recorded a personal

record to win her heat in the 400 meters (58.19). In addition, she

contributed to the Sailors’ 400 and 1,600 relay teams, which also

advanced to the CIF finals. The 400 and 1,600 relay teams included

senior Elda Hernandez, sophomore Kiley Hall and freshman Amy

Klippert.

Newport’s fantastic four finished in a season-best in the 400

relay (49.83). Then, under the lights, the four girls won their heat

in the 1,600 relay and finished in 3:58.81, nearly six seconds faster

than their previous best.

Hall, in the 400, sophomore Courtney Marshall, in the 3,200

(11:34.2), and junior Allyson Stoltz, in the pole vault (9 feet),

achieved or matched personal records but just missed qualifying for

the CIF finals, which took the top nine in each event of the prelims.

Marshall also competed in the 1,600, finishing 15th overall in

5:18.54.

The Sailors also experienced the lows, but that has the potential

to make them stronger. Newport junior Jillianne Whitfield, the Sea

View League champion in the discus, had two foot fouls and her final

throw went out of bounds. Contrary to last year, she did not advance

to the CIF finals. But she’ll be back for her final season next year.

Newport senior Alec Urtusuastegui, last year’s Sea View League

champion in the 3,200, slightly injured his back in the 1,600

(4:34.96), yet it was enough to set him back in the 800 (2:12.78),

and his season ended. However, Urtusuastegui plans to run in college,

of which he has not decided yet.

The Sailors’ suspense? Well, those who follow the Newport track

and field program now have to wait until next week to see what the

Sailors will do at the CIF finals May 24 at Cerritos College.

Burlingham, Hall, Klippert and Hernandez are planning to add to their

intriguing story next week.

Instead of resting and taking time off Thursday, the quartet

decided to take in some extra work. The four girls worked on minor

adjustments and hand-offs at Orange Coast College the day before the

CIF prelims.

“That shows what kind of kids we have,” said Larry Hirst, who

coaches the Newport relay teams. “Track teams are notorious for

taking days off. But [practicing the day before the CIF prelims]

pretty much sums up the personalities of the girls.”

Newport Coach Eric Tweit said Hernandez and Klippert ran their

fastest 400 meters in the 1,600 relay. Hall led off the race,

finishing her 400 meters in 59.4 and providing the Sailors with a

sizable lead. Hernandez went 1:00.4 in her 400 and Klippert followed

with a 1:00.8. Burlingham anchored with a 58.4 to help the Sailors

win their heat.

Hall nearly advanced to the CIF finals in the 400. She finished in

59.43, 10th overall and the ninth-best time was 59.37.

Stoltz came just as close to advancing in the pole vault. She

matched her personal record with a 9-foot clearance, which tied for

ninth. Then she lost in a jump-off to Mater Dei’s Shannon Kelly, who

advanced to the CIF finals.

Junior Elizabeth Clayton finished 11th in the triple jump (35-2)

and missed qualifying by two inches.

The Newport boys continued to provided glimpses of their future in

the shot put and 3,200. Junior Nick Miller finished in 10:14.3, which

did not qualify for the CIF finals, yet just as the rest of the young

Sailors, he gained experience which should also provide motivation

for next year. That was the same scenario for sophomore Jon Szecsei

in the shot put (48-2 3/4). Senior Jack Skahen, who recorded a

personal record last week with a throw of 48-3, ended his season with

a 44-5 3/4 mark.

Szecsei (pronounced say-shee) said he enjoyed the big-meet

atmosphere at Mt. SAC and is eager to return next year.

“I was really happy to make it to CIF because it’s only my

sophomore year,” said the sophomore who is 6-2, 230 pounds and plays

the tuba and tenor saxophone for the school band. “I’m going to come

back here next season. I’m going to work hard during the off-season.”