Briefs: Sakioka wins big at Reno

Newport Harbor High senior Mark Sakioka cleared 16 feet in the pole vault to win his flight at the Reno Pole Vault Summit Jan. 29.

Sakoika set a school record and grabbed the top mark in the state, his coach, Fritz Howser, said. The former record was set in 1987 by RW Henson at 15-7.

Sakioka nearly cleared 16-3 to finish the competition. His 16-foot clearance was quite an achievement. His previous personal record was 15-1, from last year.

Sakioka set the boys’ frosh-soph record of 14-1 in 2009, his sophomore year. That record had stood since 1983, Howser said.

“His off-season training and commitment is evident in his early-season success,” Howser said in an e-mail. “Now the hard work is ahead to go higher throughout the year.”

— From staff reports

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Kearney honored

UC Irvine junior Chris Kearney was named Big West Conference Co-Athlete of the Week in men’s tennis on Wednesday.

Kearney, who is ranked No. 33 nationally, went 1-1 in both singles and doubles last week, helping his team to a 6-1 victory over South Carolina at the ITA Kickoff Weekend. His singles win was a 6-3, 6-3 verdict over Ivan Machado of South Carolina. The doubles victory came with partner Stephen Stege.

He shares the award with Alex Konigsfeldt of UC Santa Barbara.

— From staff reports