Newport Harbor comes of age

Steve Virgen

There’s a different tone to Eric Tweit’s voice when he talks about

his team.

For the past two seasons, Tweit, the coach of the Newport Harbor

High girls track and field team, would say, usually in monotone, his

squad was young, but improving.

However, Tweit is practically singing when he voices his opinions

about his team as the season unfolds.

“I’m very optimistic about the season,” Tweit said. “We have a few

holes, but we seem to have depth in other places to make up for it.

Our relays will be good in the (400 and 1,600 meters).”

Tweit’s excitement is supported by juniors, Elizabeth Clayton and

Jillianne Whitfield, two of the premier athletes in the Sea View

League.

Clayton is the school record-holder in the triple jump, having

gone 38-4 1/2 to surpass her elder sister Mandy’s mark of 37-8 1/2

set in 1994. The younger Clayton broke the school record as advanced

to the CIF Southern Section Division II Finals. She also qualified

for the CIF preliminaries in the 100 hurdles.

Whitfield made a name for herself in the discus and won a Sea View

League title with a 126-foot throw, a personal record by more than

seven feet. She finished second in league in the shot put.

“Clayton and Whitfield are the best in the league, maybe in the

county,” Tweit said.

Tweit also said the Sailors won’t be as strong in the pole vault

or long jump, but the team should be improved with senior Amy

Burlingham, a standout in soccer who will play for the University of

Texas in the fall.

Burlingham, who possesses great speed, is set to compete in the

100, 200, 400 and the 400 relay.

She has not competed in track the last two seasons because of her

busy club soccer schedule, but Tweit said her schedule will allow her

to run for the Sailors this season.

The Sailors also feature sophomore Courtney Marshall, a distance

runner who “has worked hard during the offseason,” Tweit said.

Newport senior Elda Hernandez should also be able to earn several

points for the Sailors in the 100, 200, 400 and both relays.

Sophomore Kiley Hall, a member of Newport’s CIF-qualifying 400 relay

team, will contribute.

Sophomore Jennifer Ryder will attempt to defend her Sea View

League title in the 300 hurdles. Junior Lauren Paul is an example of

the Sailors’ depth, as she strengthens Newport’s distance crew.

The Sailors finished second last year in the Sea View League to

Woodbridge, which is favored to successfully defend its championship.