Newport Harbor
Joseph Boo
NEWPORT BEACH - For four years, Newport Harbor High’s boys cross
country team knew they could depend on Curt Herberts. They knew he would
be the team’s No. 1 runner, the man who would get the team the points
they needed. With Herberts gone after graduation, Newport Harbor will
have to face up to the reality that Herberts isn’t there anymore.
“He was a key figure on our team for the past four years,” Newport
Harbor coach Bim Barry said of losing last year’s league champion and
seventh-place state finisher. “He ‘ll be missed. Nobody can fill his
shoes exactly. But our guys can definitely fill in his place.”
Despite the loss of Herberts and Steve Jensen to graduation, the
Sailors have more than enough runners to fill in the void. In fact, they
might even have a runner who might not only step into Herberts’ role, but
may surpass him. He’s junior Chris McMillen, who finished second in the
Sea View League as a sophomore and qualified for the CIF finals in track
for the 800M
“He’s slightly ahead of where Curt was at his age,” Barry said. “I
think he’s one of the top five runners in the county.”
For the Sailors to have a chance at repeating last year’s sixth place
finish at the state meet, McMillen has to be the clear cut No. 1 runner.
“In terms of racing,” Barry said. “It has to be McMillen. He was never a
No. 1 runner before. He’s had Curt out there with him in the past.
That’ll be a challenge for him to run without him. He needs to grow into
his role.”
Behind McMillen will be three seniors who provide the Sailors with
depth and lots of options. Chris Landgren, Doug Dukes and Hugo Cortes
were all middle runners, but they were bumped up to be the top runners
behind Herberts at state. They will be counted on to provide Newport
Harbor with stability and consistent performances.
More importantly though, the seniors will be counted on to provide
leadership. The depth of the roster drops off after them with none of the
runners having varsity experience. Barry will need them to grow quickly
on and off the field.
“We have some inexperience,” Barry said. “Curt’s been a leader for a
couple of years, and there’s going to be as many as three sophomores on
the team.”
A reconfigured Sea View League loses Corona Del Mar, Santa Margarita
and El Toro. And Irvine has to deal with a diluted roster. Despite a
weakened league, the Sailors will still need McMillen and the three
seniors to step up to repeat last year’s success. “We’re losing some
quality schools,” Barry said. “But we still have to perform well.”
Roster
Chris McMillen Jr.
Chris Landgren Sr.
Doug Dukes Sr.
Hugo Cortes Sr.
Chris Negrete So.
John Peschalt Jr.
Joel Furman So.
Ivan Romero So.
Fernando Cortes So.
Luis Perez So.
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