Girls track and field: Newport falls to Woodbridge

Tony Altobelli

IRVINE - The Newport Harbor High girls track and field team might

have lost to Woodbridge on Thursday, 77-59, but that didn’t keep Coach

Eric Tweit from flashing a smile or two after the Sea View League

contest.

“Hey, it was a great meet,” Tweit said. “That team (Woodbridge) is one

of the top teams in Orange County, but we managed to put up some decent

times against them.”

Among the Sailors (6-1, 2-1 in league) who ran well included sophomore

Amy Burlingham. She won the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.2, edging

out Warriors standout sprinter Michelle Sanford (12.3).

Burlingham also posted a big win in the 200 with a strong time of

25.5. “Amy’s win in the 100 was pretty special to watch,” Tweit said.

“Sanford is a quality runner so for her to beat her, that says a lot. Her

200 wasn’t too shabby either.”

Senior Amber Steen battled the flu as well as the Warriors (3-0 in

league and ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division II) in the 800

(2:21.0) and 1,600 (5:22.4), but pulled out wins in both races.

“I’ve been sick for awhile now, and I can’t seem to shake it,” Steen

said. “I think I’m getting better though, hopefully.”

Nadia Topalovic outran and outjumped the field for a win in the 300

hurdles (47.5). “She never ran this event until this year and she’s

already put herself among the top hurdlers in the area,” Tweit said.

Jillianne Whitfield won the shot put with a mark of 31-feet, 3 1/2,

bettering teammates Amy Ross (29-0) and Taylor Govaars (26-10 3/4).

Whitfield also came through with a solid second-place showing in the

discus (94-11).

Emily Clayton showed her promise by improving her personal best marks

in the long jump (16-6 1/2) and triple jump (34-4). She took second place

in both events.

The Sailors will compete in Saturday’s Orange County Championships,

held at Trabuco Hills High at 8 a.m.

“Overall, I’m happy with how we’re holding up,” Tweit said. “Our team

should be ready to go for the OC Championships.”