Sea Kings poised to repeat champion run

Steve Virgen

Apparently the Corona del Mar High girls track and field program

doesn’t rebuild.

The Sea Kings just reload.

Last year with the 2002 graduations of Julie Allen and Krisserin

Canary, both valuable point-earners, Corona del Mar was expected to

rebuild. But, led by Annie St. Geme’s sensational debut, the Sea

Kings won the Pacific Coast League title.

This season, Corona del Mar is just as strong and is the favorite

to repeat as PCL champion.

St. Geme, a 1600-meter, 2003 state meet qualifier who won the PCL

individual title in cross country in the fall, returns for her

sophomore season to lead the Sea King distance runners. Freshman

Hilary May should also be a key contributor in the distance events,

while junior Melissa Swigert has been improving and will compete in

the 400, 800 and relay events.

“I’m pretty impressed with each No. 1 girl in each event,” Corona

del Mar Coach Bill Sumner said. “We’re growing with the more students

the school is getting. We can do well in each event.”

The Sea Kings have built a 5-0 nonleague record, as St. Geme has

been undefeated in the 1,600. May has been showing remarkable

progress, displaying just as much promise and talent as St. Geme did

as a freshman last year.

Senior Kinzie Kramer and sophomore Kelly Morgan, who helped lead

the Corona del Mar girls soccer team to the CIF Southern Section

Division II playoffs, are also expected to contribute in the sprint

events.

Kramer, a three-year varsity performer in cross country, did not

compete for Sumner in the fall so that she could concentrate on

soccer. But she is anxious to return to the track and field team,

where she can score points for the Sea Kings and enjoy her final

season with the coach who encourages camaraderie and a teamwork

ethic.

In the field events, freshman Tiffany Liu will be among the

leaders for the Sea Kings. She is capable of competing in the high

jump, triple jump and the hurdles. Senior Leigh Fransen also competes

in the high jump, while senior Lindsay Ensign, who competed for the

Sea Kings’ volleyball team in the fall, plans to help Corona del Mar,

while still training for club volleyball.

Sumner said Ensign can compete in the shot put, high jump and the

sprints.

While Corona del Mar is the favorite to repeat as PCL champion,

Sumner said Northwood should also contend and challenge the Sea

Kings.