Girls cross country: Sea Kings race to PCL title

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - No disrespect to the competitors in the girls race of the

Pacific Coast League cross country finals, but Corona del Mar High is

concentrating on the remaining postseason races.

The Sea Kings have intensified their workouts with extra hill running

in practices this week. They were supposed to be tired at the PCL finals.

Instead, CdM held off any upsets or surprises and ran to a PCL

championship as all seven runners finished in the top 19 Thursday at

Irvine Park.

“We didn’t come in here trying to do anything great,” CdM Coach Bill

Sumner said. “Without saying anything bad about anyone else, we were

looking toward the state meet. We knew that we could still put six girls

in the top 12 here.”

The Sea Kings were led by Katie Quinlan, who finished second in 18:01.

Season Meservey (18:21) suffered a bit of dehydration, but finished

fifth. She was followed by Diana Hossfeld (eighth in 18:31) and Jennifer

Long (ninth in 18:40). Lindsay Yourman (18:50) and Jenny Cummins (18:55)

were 11th and 12th, respectively. And Katherine Morse (19:40) was 19th.

“I really wanted my personal best,” Quinlan said with mild

frustration. “We did pretty well as a team. We just wanted to prepare for

the state meet. That’s why I wanted my best.”

Said Hossfeld, “We’re gearing up for our team to do well for state.

Monday’s practice was hard with all that hill work.”

CdM scored 35 points for its title and University came in second with

50. Northwood grabbed third with 66 points as Estancia, led by Liz Huipe,

followed with 105.

Huipe (18:05) was third on the three-mile course, despite being No. 16

at the one-mile mark. She quickly improved her place from there, moving

to 13th after a mile and three quarters, ran to sixth just after two

miles, then fifth at the top of the last hill. She finally surged to

third at the finish.

“We have to get better,” Estancia Coach Charlie Appell said.

Huipe was followed by teammate Diana Rosete (16th in 19:24).

Meanwhile, Costa Mesa ended the season with improvement, Coach Eric

Davies said.

“There’s not a lot of depth and we’re real young,” Davies said. “For

the race they gave, we did well. They have definitely been improving.”

The Mustangs were led by Eileen Bello (20:00).