Double duty for Steen

Tony Altobelli

SACRAMENTO - The high school career of Newport Harbor’s Amber Steen

has officially entered the “bell” lap and the senior is ready to end her

career with a furious finish at the CIF state finals.

Steen, already entered in tonight’s finals of the 3,200-meter run,

qualified first in the 1,600 after winning her heat in 4:57.12 at

Friday’s preliminaries, ahead of Santa Rosa-based Montgomery High

standout and two-time state runner-up Sara Bei and 1999 state champ Alejandra Barrientos.

“Amber took the lead early to avoid any traffic and she just cruised

from there,” Newport Coach Eric Tweit said. “She wanted to avoid the mess

of the pack and not get tripped up or anything.”

The University of Arizona-bound Steen makes her second straight state

finals appearance in the 1,600. She finished third last year with a time

of 4:51.44.

According to Tweit, Steen’s biggest challenges will come from Bei and

Barrientos.

“Alejandra was the state champ two years ago, but was hurt last year,”

Tweit said. “Now, she’s healthy and ready to go. Sara is going to be

extremely tough as well. It’s going to be a three-person race and it’s

going to take a fast time to win. It should be exciting.

“Steen qualified for two events, but her main race is that 1,600,”

Tweit continued. “She’ll go for it in the 1,600 and use whatever she has

left in the 3,200. Hopefully, she’ll finish high enough to make it to the

medal stand for both events.”

Joining Steen in the 3,200 is Corona del Mar’s Julie Allen. The junior

is making her third straight state finals appearance, her first two were

with Fountain Valley High.

Allen’s best finish came as a freshman when she placed 10th.

Bei and defending champion Anita Siraki from Glendale-based Hoover

High will join Steen and Allen among the top of the runners in the 3,200.

Bei is a two-time runner-up in this event as well.

The impressive local duo of Steen and Allen have combined to win 15

individual league titles and five Southern Section titles.