A quick learner

On Friday night, Corona del Mar High’s Shelby Buckley will take her mark on the track and as she puts opposing runners behind her, she will do the same to the memories of her freshman track season.

Qualifying for the CIF Southern Section Master’s Meet is a couple of steps further than Buckley traveled last year. She did so in the 3,200 meters with a second-place finish in the Division III finals. Buckley narrowly missed qualifying in the 1,600 and as part of the Sea Kings’ 4x400 relay, despite a season-best time in the latter.

This is the track season Buckley expected after winning the Division III state title in cross-country as a freshman.

The difference is in the training and her first year under Sea Kings Coach Bill Sumner.

“I’m doing more quality over quantity,” Buckley said. “Coach just knows his stuff.”

Whether analyzing Buckley’s splits to determine her tendency to slow down in the fifth lap of races or developing routines to maximize meet-day performance, Sumner has been key to unlocking Buckley’s potential. Buckley put up personal record times in every event she entered this year.

“I’m just the construction guy, she’s got the material,” Sumner said.

The 22-year coach has Buckley’s complete trust. Buckley said Sumner has a knack for knowing a cure for all types of running ailments. On the track, his record ? six state championships ? speaks for itself.

“I listen to Coach, no matter if it’s something little,” Buckley said. “He knows all of his athletes inside and out.”

Buckley’s performance this season, in events from the 400 to 3,200, prompted Sumner to call her the best all-around sophomore athlete he has coached. Buckley has put up personal bests in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 this season.

“I’ve never had a kid do all the stuff that Shelby did,” Sumner said. “I am just totally impressed with her versatility. I haven’t seen anyone go that far in one season.”

Buckley’s performance this year has not been the only change for her. She had to adjust to going from the top runner at Rosary to second-best at Corona del Mar, where the Sea Kings have a pack of talented distance runners, led by senior Annie St. Geme.

“In the beginning, it’s so different, when you come from being the best to being third in cross-country,” Buckley said. “I think it taught me a lot, to chase after someone, to be second best and be OK with it.”

An adjustment was necessary after Buckley’s parents moved after her freshman year. Buckley thinks of herself as Corona del Mar student, not a transfer.

“I’m one of [Sumner’s] now,” she said. “It’s in the past.”

Sumner said the transition from an all-girls private school to public school has been smooth.

“As far as I’m concerned, she handled it perfectly,” Sumner said. “She just rolled right in. She sees herself as a Corona del Mar kid.”

The runners were already a tight-knit group and Buckley’s new teammates were curious to see how she would fit in.

“Shelby is just so outgoing,” St. Geme said. “She found her place on the team. She brought positive vibes to the team. She’s a great girl and a great runner. I feel like I’ve known her for years.”

Part of what acclimated Buckley so quickly was her dedication to the team. At the Division III finals, the 4x400 relay started 10 minutes after the completion of the 3,200. Both Buckley and St. Geme were offered a choice whether to run the race or not.

“Shelby was like, ‘Oh I want to run it,” said St. Geme, who also ran the relay. “That shows she’s in it for the team. When Coach needed her to [run three events] at meets, she was willing.”

St. Geme said competitive fire makes Buckley a top runner.

“Shelby could go run a mile and push herself to get a good time without any competition,” St. Geme said. “You need to be competitive with yourself, not just competitive with others.”

Next year, with St. Geme running for Stanford, more of the onus will be on Buckley to be out front. Buckley said the pressure will be lightened because the Sea Kings are deep in distance runners.

“There’s all these great girls on my team,” Buckley said. “We’ll all take a part of Annie.”dpt-buckley24.IMGGraphicInfoCI1R8OGC20060524CI1R8OGCNo Captiondpt.24-buckley-1-CPhotoInfo271R8O7A20060524iz8ewpncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Corona del Mar’s Shelby Buckley, right, shown here at the Southern Section Division III girls’ 1,600-meter preliminaries, was second at the finals.