Newport to be challenged

Steve Virgen

So far so good for the Newport Harbor High girls track and field

team, as the Sailors are 2-0 in the Sea View League.

However, they will be put to the test in a key league showdown

Thursday at Aliso Niguel, which has defeated Woodbridge this season.

Newport Harbor Coach Eric Tweit said the Sailors would contend with

Woodbridge for second place, as Aliso Niguel appears to be the

clear-cut favorite of the Sea View League.

That may be the case this year. But next season, the Sailors are

planning to have something more to say about that.

“There’s a really good core,” Tweit said of this season’s group,

which is young. “We are really excited about where this group is

going to take us. We are in as good a shape as we have ever been for

the future.”

The future appears promising for the Sailors with underclassmen

such as sophomore Stephanie Lambrakis (sprints), freshman Alexis

Conley (100 and 200 meters), sophomore Hannah Bearden (100 and 200),

sophomore Danica Kalmbach (800), freshman Lauren Maddox (3,200),

freshman Jessica Robeson (high jump) and freshman Allison Stokke, who

set the school record in the pole vault with a clearance of 10 feet

this season.

While Newport’s potential provides hope, seniors Elizabeth Clayton

and Lauren Paul (3,200) have given the Sailors the strong capability

of contending now.

Clayton, who plans to compete at Brigham Young University next

year, has been one of the leading point-winners for the Sailors.

She holds the school record in the triple jump, 38 feet, 4 inches,

which was set in 2002. Last year, she suffered shin splints and

finished 11th in the triple jump in the league finals.

But this season, Tweit said she has overcome her injuries and is

ready to improve as the season progresses. Paul helped lead the

Newport girls cross country team to the CIF state meet in the fall.

Junior Courtney Marshall, who contributed on that cross country

squad, will more than likely not compete this season. Tweit said she

injured her foot and the coach has been cautious throughout the

rehabilitation.

Tweit also said junior Jackie Belida (long jump and triple jump)

and throwers Ciara Lawrence and Lauren Celek, as well as junior

transfer Lauren Cohen (hurdles) have been performing well for

Newport.