Locals to stack Arcadia

Chris Yemma

On the grandest track and field stage at this time of year, the

Newport-Mesa area has never looked so stacked.

Rumors of records being broken have been flying left and right,

but this particular year, the rumors could actually materialize.

Perhaps the biggest headliner to represent the local area at

today’s Arcadia invitational at Arcadia High, is Newport Harbor’s

Allison Stokke. The sophomore pole vaulter already holds the

sophomore outdoor national record in the event, and is only inches

away from breaking the national high school record.

In her first year competing in the event, Stokke won the state

title last year as a freshman with a 12-foot, 8-inch clearance, but

has already cleared 13-5 3/4 this year for the sophomore record.

Stokke will be the favorite to win the event at this year’s

Arcadia invitational, which includes top individuals from all over

the country, with a chance to top the national record of 13-8 1/5 .

“You never know who’s coming, but obviously she has a good chance

to win,” Newport Coach Eric Tweit said. “I just hope she goes out and

competes her best.”

The girls pole vault is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Another record that could go is in the distance medley relay. The

distance and mid-distance girls from Corona del Mar, led by junior

Annie St. Geme, are described by Sea Kings’ Coach Bill Sumner, in his

21st year with the program, as the best group of girls he’s ever had.

“We are at least going to break a school record,” Sumner said.

“We’re going to try for a meet record, then state record and then a

national record.”

St. Geme should be a top finisher in the 1,600, placing sixth last

year in the state in 4:49.84. St. Geme will be accompanied by Melissa

Swigert, Allison Damon and Hilary May on the distance medley relay,

consisting of a 1,200, 400, 800 and 1,600.

The Arcadia record for the girls distance medley is 11:53.85 and

the state record is 11:41.28. The event is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.

while St. Geme and May will be running in the 1,600 at 5:51 p.m.

Newport Harbor’s Whitney Blue, a junior who was the top Orange

County cross country runner in the fall, is scheduled to compete in

the 3,200 at 7:02 p.m. Sage Hill’s Zach Chandy is running the 400 and

200 at 7:31 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., respectively, and Newport’s Bo Taylor

will be throwing the shot put and discus at 4 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.,

respectively.

All of the aforementioned are competing in the invitational

session of the meet, while competing in the open session throughout

this morning and afternoon are; Newport’s Kurt Kalanz (discus),

Jessica Robson (high jump), Trevor Theriot (shot put); CdM’s Tiffany

Liu (long jump), Sarah Cummings (3,200), Damon (800), Swigert (400);

and the CdM boys distance medley relay team.