Vargas up and coming

Steve Virgen

It was only 44 days ago Qualic Vargas began to throw the discus.

Now the Costa Mesa High senior is among the top 10 in Orange

County. Vargas, who threw 162 feet, 2 inches to win the discus in a

tri-meet with Estancia and Orange last week, will be among several

Newport-Mesa athletes who will be competing in the Orange County

championships today at Trabuco Hills.

Vargas, a transfer from Kansas, who originally came out for the

Mustangs track and field team to compete in the shot put, never threw

the discus because Costa Mesa was without a ring throwing area until

March 11. But ever since, Vargas, who played defensive end for the

Mustangs football team in the fall, has been improving each week.

“He has been great,” Costa Mesa Coach Glenn Mitchell said. “He’s

easily in the top 10 in Orange County. He’s very athletic. He’s about

6-foot, 250 pounds and can do a standing back flip. He ran on our 400

relay team at the beginning of the year.”

Mitchell also said senior Luke Sapolu, who won the Golden West

League title in the discus (131-7 1/2) last year, has been helping

Vargas, as well as the other Mesa throwers, including junior Randy

Fea.

Sapolu broke his right throwing arm while weightlifting two months

ago. The cast was taken off Friday, yet he plans to compete in two

weeks.

Juan Avilez (1,600 meters) and Tony Krikorian (triple jump) are

also set to compete for the Costa Mesa boys today. Senior Christine

Bjelland, who is in the 3,200, along with Kyla Flores will be

representing the Mustangs’ girls squad, which also includes the 1,600

relay team of Stacy Krikorian, Tracy Bjelland, Anna Rodriguez and

Rachel Hughes.

For Newport Harbor, seniors Elizabeth Clayton (triple jump) and

Lauren Paul (3,200) lead a solid squad that also includes Megan

Randall (800).

Sophomore sensation Anne St. Geme and freshman phenom Hilary May

will be competing in the 1,600 for the Corona del Mar girls. St. Geme

has the top times in Orange County in the 1,600 and 800, while May,

the fastest freshman in the state, has the third-best time in the

county.

St. Geme will also run in the 800, while senior Chris Ringstrom

will be in the 200 and 400. The 400 also includes teammate Brandon

Borcoman and Newport Harbor’s Joel Walker.

Sophomore Keith Eldridge, another top sprinter for the Sailors,

has a great chance of winning in the 200 and 400 in the frosh/soph

division, Newport boys coach Nowell Kay said.

Estancia, which features Jason Johnston (hurdles and triple jump),

and Sage Hill, which has Braden Barnett (throws), will also be in the

Orange County championships.