Nipped at the finish line

Mike Sciacca

In a day that was tinged with a couple of firsts, it was the usual

that finally emerged at the Ocean View School District Track & Field

Championships on Tuesday.

While Spring View won its first ever seventh-grade girls’ championship

and Mesa View cruised to its first eighth-grade boys’ division title in

the annual competition held at Huntington Beach High, it was Marine View

that once again emerged with the overall district championship in the

closest outcome in OVSD track and field history.

The Mariners edged up-and-coming Mesa View in total points, 103 to 99

1/2, to retain the district title for the ninth consecutive year.

Vista View finished in third place with 68 1/2 points, and Spring View

was fourth with 68 points.

“It was great to see the quality of track and field athletes

throughout the district,” said Ocean View School District sports

coordinator. “Spring View has made its presence felt and Mesa and Vista

View have always been strong. Marine View needed a little luck and a lot

of determination to win its ninth consecutive championship. I’m very

proud of all the kids who represented their schools so well.”

7TH-GRADE GIRLS

With its dominance in the 100 and 400 meters, Spring View nipped

Marine View by one point to win its first division title. Spring View was

led by its speedy duo of Melissa Rivera, who placed first in the 100

meters (13.29), was a member of the winning 4x100 meter relay team, and

placed third in the 400 meters (1:08.04), and Keilana Stallworth, who

placed first in the 400 meters (1:06.96), third in the 100 meters (14.12)

and third in the long jump (10 feet 11 inches). She was also a member of

the first-place 4x100 meter relay team. Marine View challenged with

Whitney Thornton, who was first in the high jump (4-8), fourth in the

long jump, and a member of the second-place finishing 4x100 meter relay

team, and Loren Kortizija, who was third in the triple jump (27-0),

second in the 100 meters (13.98), second in the 400 meters (1:07.91). She

too was a member of the 4x100 meter relay team. Marine View’s Kristen

Fronk pulled away from Spring View’s Jasmine Higgins to win the 800

meters in 2:45.94. Spring View is coached by Jason Blade and Amy

Klingelsmith.

7TH-GRADE BOYS

Spring View earned its second seventh-grade title as Mitchell

Gillespie won the high jump (4-10), finished second in the 100 meters

(12.89), blazed to a 57.88 time in the 400 meters, and anchored Spring

View’s victorious medley relay team. Mitch Roemer of Mesa View had given

his team the points lead after the field events as he placed third in the

high jump (4-8) and first in the long jump (14-11) before Gillespie came

through for Spring View. Samer Haddad of Vista View won the 100 meters

(12.38), and Marine View’s Jeff VanDoornum won the triple jump (29-8).

8TH-GRADE BOYS

Mesa View, coached by Jen Caruso, Kurt Lundberg, Anne-Marie Menton,

Jim Nitzkowski and Frank Spates cruised pass the competition to win its

first crown. Thanks to the performances by Charlie Schuenemen, who

finished first in the long jump (16-1 1/2) and triple jump (35-7), and

Jacob Bradosky, who was second in the high jump (5-4), Mesa View jumped

out to a commanding points lead after the field events. Bradosky also was

the class of the runners, winning the 800 meters in 2:20.15 and the

grueling 400 meters in 58.39. Austin Kelly was a one-man show for Marine

View, winning the high jump at 5-4, and teammate David Shapiro anchored a

stirring victory for the Mariners in the sprint medley. Marine View’s

Kyle Techau won the 100 meters (12.50) and was third in the 400 meters

(1:00.47).

8TH-GRADE GIRLS

Mesa View took what seemed an insurmountable points lead after the

field events, but Marine View received some gutsy performances by its

runners to overcome an 11-point deficit to win the division crown. Spring

View dominated the field events as Heather Rystrom won the high jump

(4-6), Emma Lowerison took the long jump (14-2), and Kara Sevilla won the

triple jump (28-10 1/2). Marine View’s Karri Weisenthal made up a

20-meter deficit on the anchor leg of the sprint medley relay to lead the

Mariners to a first-place finish. She also won the 800 meters (2:36.36),

finished second in the 400 meters (1:07.84) and the high jump (4-4).

Nikki Freiborg of Marine View won the 100 meters (13.41), was third in the 400 meters (1:08.28), and anchored the second place 4x100 meters

relay team. Another highlight was Vista View’s Rachel Rojas capping an

undefeated season by winning the 400 meters in 1:05.66. Marine View is

coached by Sheila Blyth, Linda Franklin, Kelly Painter, Bryan Stahl and

Jason Williams.