CdM girls win heat

Corona del Mar High made its first step to qualifying both teams for

the state meet, as its boys and girls cross country teams advanced

from the CIF Southern Section preliminaries Saturday at Mt. San

Antonio College.

The Newport Harbor girls, along with the Sage Hill boys and

Estancia’s Alex Cahuantzi and Costa Mesa’s Jasmin Day, also qualified

for the CIF finals Nov. 22 at Mt. SAC.

The CdM girls squad finished first in its heat in Division III,

led by sophomore Annie St. Geme who qualified second (18:34) in the

heat. She was followed by Hillary May (12th in 19:20), Christie St.

Geme (21st in 19:54), Ahlia Kattan (24th in 20:01), Taryn Kawata (26th in 20:02), Sara Claster (39th in 20:36) and Melissa Swigert

(69th in 22:19), in a race of 107 runners.

The Sea Kings qualified second overall with 74 points, behind

Santa Margarita with 49.

* The CdM boys qualified fourth in its heat, sixth overall in

Division III led by Kevin Artz, who qualified fifth in his heat in

15:55. Jack Turner (25th in 16:34), Kenneth Wong (37th in 16:51),

Ryan Guthrie (38th in 16:52), Garrett Prechel (50th in 17:09),

Brandon Borcoman (72nd in 17:43) and Chris Ringstrom (89th in 18:06)

also contributed.

* Also in girls Division III, Costa Mesa ended its season,

finishing eighth in its heat. Coach Joe Busi said he was

disappointed, yet pleased with what the Mustangs accomplished this

season. Costa Mesa won the Golden West League title, its first league

championship since 1997.

Busi said he was also impressed with senior Christine Bjelland’s

efforts. Day qualified fourth in her heat at 18:59.

Cahuantzi qualified sixth in his heat in Division III in 16:15 to

advance, while Estancia freshman Jeannette Abrego received plenty of

experience, finishing 35th in 20:27.

* The Newport Harbor girls qualified third in its heat in Division

II, as Lauren Paul led the way, qualifying fifth in 18:27. The

Sailors also received solid efforts from Courtney Marshall (19th in

19:18), Whitney Blue (24th in 19:42), Taylor Bryson (37th in 20:19),

Caitlin Mai (38th in 20:20), Lily Dierkes (44th in 20:34) and Amy

Penner (60th in 21:25).

* Coach Nowell Kay’s Newport boys finished seventh in the Division

II prelims, but there’s a silver lining for the Sailors with

sophomores Kenny Rakestraw and Adam Mayfield, who could provide the

team’s nucleus for the next two years.

Rakestraw (13th overall in 16:21) was Newport Harbor’s top

finisher, but no runners advanced to the CIF finals. The top four

teams earned finals berths, as well as the top six individuals not

already qualified with a team.

Nick Miller (16:59), Nick St. Andre (17:11), Mayfield (17:23) and

Martin Bernard (17:42) also scored for the Sailors, while Robert

Khoury (18:37) and Matt Cheffer (20:50) competed.

“Our season’s over, but I’m happy with my sophomores and how they

ran at the end of the year,” Kay said.

* Coach Nate Miller’s Sage Hill boys qualified seventh in its heat

and grabbed the final spot overall to advance in Division V, which

has 13 teams in the finals.

Miller said his team used a balanced attack led by Mike Voge (22nd

in 17:24), and followed by, Zach Chandy (28th in 17:38), Tristan

Cordier (35th in 17:53), Tim Lefler (41st in 18:01) and Chris Chiboucas (48th in 18:22).