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.