Corona del Mar is looking ahead

IRVINE ? For many, it was the end, whether of their track and field season or career. For a select few, however, it was only the beginning.

The Sea Kings had 18 CIF Southern Section Division II qualifiers at the Pacific Coast League finals Friday at Irvine High. The girls’ team had 14 qualifiers and 159 points, leading to a fourth consecutive league title. The boys finished third with 88 points.

Annie St. Geme and Tiffany Liu were triple-winners for the Sea Kings. St. Geme easily won all three long distance races, and Liu won the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and triple jump. St. Geme also ran anchor for the winning 4x400 relay team and Liu took third in the 300 hurdles.

For some, the league meet was a mere formality, with more important competition ahead.

“There have been a couple big meets this year, but this is where the track season really begins,” said St. Geme. “State is a major meet this year. I want to defend my title in the 1,600.”

Being so dominant, St. Geme had the luxury of using the 1,600 as a personal workout.

“[My] coaches told me to go the first 800 [meters] hard,” St. Geme said. “They wanted me to get 2:15 in the first half. I think I ran it in 2:13. I viewed it more as a workout. In doing that, I could still secure the league title and points for the team.”

Liu scored 36 points in four events, running the 300 hurdles for only the third time this year. Even though she qualified in the 300 hurdles, she won’t run it at the CIF meet.

“It’s not my race,” she said. “I’m best at long jump, but they’re all fun. [Participating in four events] keeps me busy.”

There was some disappointment Friday for the Sea Kings. The boys’ 4x400 relay team was on pace to qualify, but feet got tangled up, a runner fell and the Sea Kings finished fifth.

In the girls’ 800, the Sea Kings took the top five places, with the fourth and fifth runners missing the final qualifying spot by a half a second. Corona del Mar Coach Bill Sumner said he knew it would be tough on his athletes to beat each other.

“Some of them had a really hard time with it,” Sumner said. “Some of them think, ‘We’ve got to race.’ Others think, ‘Oh, my poor teammate.’ It’s too bad, but our distance runners eliminate each other.”

Other Sea Kings winners were Tim Scott (boys’ 1,600) and Ann Klunder (girls’ discus).