Newport spins off doubles

Bryce Alderton

After winning both the shot put and discus Thursday, Newport Harbor

High junior Jillianne Whitfield strolled around the shot put area,

thinking, talking, wanting to do better.

“My best is a 35-something,” said the junior, describing her best

throw in the shot put.

Whitfield didn’t need to throw it that far to win Thursday as

visiting Aliso Niguel invaded Newport Harbor for a Sea View League

girls track and field dual meet. The basketball, field hockey and

track athlete heaved the metal ball 34 feet, 8 1/2 inches to win the

shot put and also placed first in the discus (122-1).

Newport’s shot put and discus coach Judd Binley gave Whitfield

some advice.

“You’re much more consistent in both events than you were last

year,” Binley said with a videotape recorder in hand. “Last year, 70

or 80 feet wouldn’t have been a problem. You do what you can do and

don’t get discouraged.”

Improvement abounded for Newport Thursday, as Courtney Marshall

won both the 1,600-yard race (5:37.3) and the 3,200 (12:17.1). Senior Elda Hernandez bested the field in the 800 (2:36.3) with Jaclyn

Belida (4-8 in the high jump) and sophomore Kiley Hall in the 400

(1:02.2) also taking first place in their events for Newport.

Newport [Megan Randall, Hall, Hernandez and Amy Burlingham] won

the 1,600 relay in 4:14.3.

Hall, starting in the No. 1 lane, caught up to her Aliso opponent

at the initial turn in the 400 and held the lead from there.

“[Hall] rebounded well after being sick and missing a week,” said

Newport Coach Eric Tweit. “Courtney Marshall and Whitfield always

come through for us.”

Burlingham (27.3 in the 200), Jennifer Ryder in the high jump

(4-6) and Belida in the triple jump (30-4 1/2) all took the only

second places for Newport (3-1, 0-1 in league) in an 84-52 win for

Aliso.