Newport Harbor runners sparkle at the Sea View League Finals

ORANGE -- Newport Harbor High’s boys and girls cross country teams

didn’t win championships at the Sea View League Finals Friday at

Irvine Regional Park, but their coaches certainly were wearing

championship smiles in the aftermath of standout efforts from their

athletes in every direction.

“It was obviously very wet and cold, but a great day for running

anyway,” said girls coach Eric Tweit. It’s what a cross country meet

should be like.

Newport’s girls finished third, one point behind Foothill.

Woodbridge was the runaway winner behind individual champion Kristen

Berglas (17:39).

“It was exciting,” continued Tweit. “We have improved so much

during the season.”

Sophomore Marshall Courtney and junior Lauren Paul went 4-5 for

Newport with times of 18:11 and 18:23, and freshman Amy Klippert was

seventh in 18:35.

Others Sailors were Andrea Sarris (19:43), Caitlin Mai (20:25),

Krystal Wright (21:02) and Courtney Hanson (22:27.

“Every one ran their PRs,” said Tweit.

Coach Nowell Kay’s boys were runners-up to Foothill on a team

basis.

Harbor’s Alec Urtusuastegui was second to Woodbridge’s Michael

Haddan, who went 14:26 for the individual crown.

Urtusuastegui was clocked in 15:30, and Nicholas Miller followed

in fourth place at 15:35. Nicholas St. Andre was 10th in 16:19 and

Juan Rios was 12th in 16:26.

Other Sailors were Wes Pohlman (17:12), Ken Rakestraw (17:30) and

Martin Bernard (18:14).

“I’m ecstatic,” said Kay. “Our boys did everything we were

pointing toward. We wanted to run our best race of the season, and we

definitely did that.”

“Rios really helped us out because this was only his second race

of the year. St. Andre, that was a great effort, too.

“We’re looking forward to getting to run (at the CIF prelims) next

Saturday.”