Grand CdM plans

Steve Virgen

Corona del Mar High Coach Bill Sumner contends his plans for his

girls cross country team’s future should not be regarded as

arrogance. That he has already made hotel reservations in Fresno,

where the CIF state championships are held, he believes, is simply

good preparation.

This season, the CdM girls, boasting an above-average amount of

talent and experience, will be vying for the program’s 17th straight

appearance at the state meet.

“They have high expectations,” Sumner said. “Six of them have

already been to the state meet. We have raised the bar so high that

my kids -- it really doesn’t matter what we do next month -- we want

do well in November. It’s not called arrogance. We have just taken

the path [to Fresno] 16 years in a row. We know how to get there.”

Sumner was quick to point out his team possesses special

qualities. He believes, in fact, that this year’s Sea Kings rank

among the top three teams he has guided during a 20-year tenure at

CdM.

“To be the best team, they are getting there because they have the

maturity and talent,” Sumner said. “With Hilary [May] and Annie [St.

Geme] and the experience they have, they can do it. With Taryn

[Kawata], Ahlia [Kattan] and Melissa [Swigert], you’re looking at

seven years of experience at the state meet. We can be a dangerous

force.”

The Sea Kings return seven from the 2002 team that went undefeated

in the Pacific Coast League to claim its fourth-straight league

title.

Sumner said Swigert has shown noteworthy improvement during the

summer. St. Geme made a name for herself after completing an

impressive freshman track and field season by reaching the CIF state

preliminaries in the 1,600 meters. She ran a personal-best 5:00.14

late in the season.

CdM’s experience also includes seniors Jen Logan and Sara Claster.

Kawata is also a senior, while Kattan and Swigert are juniors. St.

Geme is the only sophomore.

May, a freshman, makes her prep debut, as do Christie St. Geme,

Annie’s younger sister, and Nichole Slykhous.

Kattan was 28th last season (1:51) at the CIF Southern Section

Division III finals, where Annie St. Geme finished 36th (20:00),

Kawata 38th (20:01) and Swigert 47th (20:13).

With their balance, experience and reputation, the Sea Kings are

favored to win the PCL again.

“In the PCL, we’re pretty much the team,” Sumner said. “It’s a

very talented team and a very experienced team. I like what I see.”