Cross country: Steen takes Division II title, again

Tony Altobelli

WALNUT - It’s not called, “poop-out” hill for nothing.

The nearly straight-up climb can send even a top cross country runner

into a state of calf-cramping agony.

That’s when Amber Steen kicked the poop out of the “poop-out” hill.

With runners slowing down on the climb, the senior from Newport Harbor

High turned on her jets and pulled away from the pack en route to her

second straight CIF Southern Section Division II individual cross country

title with a time of 17:38.30.

“I conserved energy early in the race and stayed with the pack,” Steen

said. “When we got to the ‘poop-out’ hill I decided that’s where I was

going to make my push and I did. It feels great to win again. This year I

won’t have as many bruises as last year.”

Agoura’s Laura Jakosky was second behind Steen at 17:49.5, while Santa

Margarita’s Lori Mann placed third at 17:57.1. They were the only three

runners in Division II with sub-18 times.

The Sailors finished the meet with an “at large” bid for the CIF state

finals next weekend in Fresno, but according to Coach Eric Tweit, a spot

on next week’s starting line should be theirs.

“They usually take three or four at-large schools from the Southern

Section and we have the top team time out of that group, so I’m not

worried,” Tweit said. “The great thing about Amber’s race was that she

was in total control of herself, which means she had more in her if she

needed it.”

It was not necessary as Steen jumped to the top of the pack right from

the opening gun. “On this course, you have to pick and choose your spots

to go for it,” Steen said. “Last week at the prelims, I pushed on the

first hill and I didn’t feel very strong at the end so this week, I

decided to wait.”

Freshman Lauren Paul clocked the second-fastest time for Newport with

a 19:15.9, good for 26th place. Seniors Sonya Mechkor (46th, 19:49.1),

Erin Friedman (50th, 19:57.5) and Natalie St. Andre (59th, 20:21.9) round

out Newport’s top five.

“The whole group did a great job for us,” Tweit said. “Sonya and

Natalie were both able to shave off some time off her preliminary time,

while Lauren stayed steady.”

Tweit was also excited about freshman Amanda Abbott (64th, 20:26.9).

“Even though her time didn’t count for us as far as points go, she ran an

awesome race,” Tweit said. “We brought her up to varsity at the start of

Sea View League finals and she’s gotten better and better with each

race.”

Newport Harbor’s boys didn’t have the same quality day as the girls,

failing to qualify for the state finals and finishing ninth in Division

II with 191 points. “It’s very disappointing,” Coach Bim Barry said.

Juniors Jesus Santana (16:13.0) and Ivan Romero (16:15.1) were the

top-two runners for Newport, placing 38th and 40th, respectively.

Senior John Peschelt was 53rd with a 16:29.8, while Chris McMillen,

slowed with back tightness, finished 56th with a 16:34.1.

Newport Harbor girls

1. Amber Steen, 17:38.3; 26. Lauren Paul, 19:15.3; 46. Sonya Mechkor,

19:49.1; 50. Erin Friedman, 19:57.5; 59. Natalie St. Andre, 20:21.9.

Newport Harbor boys

38. Jesus Santana, 16:13.0; 40. Ivan Romero, 16:15.1; 53. John

Peschelt, 16:29.9. 56. Chris McMillen, 16:34.1; 60. Alec Urtu, 16:37.0.