Track and field: Steen sets national mark

AZUSA - Newport Harbor High senior standout Amber Steen did more

than just break her school record in the 1,600-meter run at Saturday’s

Adidas Meet of Champions.

Steen’s time of 4:50.2, her personal best by a tenth of a second is

the new top mark in the country, according to meet officials and Newport

Coach Eric Tweit.

Nadia Topalovic placed fourth in the 400 (1:01.1), while freshman

Lauren Paul had her best-ever time in the 1,600 (5:31.6) and 3,200

(11:53.0).

On the boys side, John Peschelt (1:57.6 in 800), Jesus Santana (9:42.0

in 3,200), Chris McMillen (9:33.1 in 3,200), Alec Urtu (9:59.0, in

3,200), Nick Miller (4:47.5 in 1,600) and Juan Rios (5:08 in 1,600) each

put together personal-best times in their events.

Hurdler Dan Moyer gave Newport Coach Bim Barry another potential

weapon in the 800. In his first-ever race, he won his heat with a time of

2:03.4.