Sea Kings in near-miss

FRESNO - Corona del Mar High senior Julie Allen was like the

fisherman who let the big one get away, as San Dieguito High’s Jana

Timinski wobbled home in 18:24, to hold off a charging Allen down the

stretch, who was second in 18:29 at Woodward Park in the CIF Division III

State Finals Saturday.

Allen, who’ll meet up with Timinski again on Saturday at Mt. San

Antonio in the Footlocker Invitational, had split with Timinski heading

into the State Final.

“She just gave away too much before she made her move,” said CdM Coach

Bill Sumner. “Julie dictated the pace and led for 70% of it, but she let

her get away.”

Corona del Mar finished fourth in the team standings behind

Campolindo, San Lorenzo Valley and La Canada.

“It was a great year for us,” said Sumner. “We only had two returners

and next year everyone will be back but Julie.”

Distinguishing themselves with standout efforts in poor conditions,

heavy rains stopped just prior to the race, leaving everyone in a bed of

mud, were Becky Cummins, Ahlia Kattan, Katherine Morse, Melissa Swigert,

Karen Kawata and Kinzie Kramer.

Cummins was seventh overall with a time of 19:05 and Kattan finished

24th in 20:53, just a notch ahead of Swigert (59th in the same time) and

Kawata (64th in 20:54). Kramer was 98th.

“The kids were covered in mud, but they had fun,” said Sumner. “We

feel good about our finish. We were picked to finish eighth and for five

of our seven girls, it was their first try (at State).”

Estancia High’s Diana Rosete finished the 3.1-mile course in 19:47,

for 21st place.

Estancia’s boys were sixth in the Division III finals and although

Coach Charlie Appell admitted he was disappointed, he stressed he was not

upset.

“Our kids did well, they got us here, and we proved we can do well,

but we’re not a race-ready team yet,” said Appell.

Junior Humberto Rojas led Estancia’s surge with a 16:15, good for

fifth place.

Also with marks that would keep the Eagles in the hunt were Mike

Cassillas (17th at 16:30), and Aaron Van Geem (44th at 17:45), but the

numbers dwindled at that point.

Geraldo Orozco was 88th in 17:45, followed by Matt Vich (95th at

17:51), Panfilo Elias (101st at 17:54) and Abel Flores (106th at 18:02).