CdM’s last man standing

The last time Tim Scott was competing at Cerritos College, three other boys were there with him, sporting their Corona del Mar High jerseys as they competed.

This week, he’s the only male runner left.

Scott qualified for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet, which takes place this afternoon at Cerritos College, in the boys’ 1,600 meters with a time of 4 minutes, 17 seconds. Field events start at 5:30 p.m. and track at 6.

Spencer Aguilar, Tommy Hutchison, and Thomas Dialynas of CdM competed in the CIF finals last week, but only Scott advanced.

“It’s kind of weird, I guess,” Scott said. “It’s nice because I have one more race left to improve my time.”

The time requirement to qualify for the CIF state meet is 4:16, so Scott is hoping he can shave the second.

“One second shouldn’t be that hard because I’m in a pack with the top runners in California,” Scott said. “I’ve just got to stay within the pack and hopefully they’ll pull me along with them.”

CdM Coach Bill Sumner has kept practices light this week, so today will be the first chance Scott has to see if he can crack 4:16.

Scott’s been standing in the wake of the Sea Kings’ top four female runners since the season began.

Shelby Buckley (4:52.38), Allison Damon (4:53.84), and Hilary May (4:54.95) all qualified for the 1,600 meters with times less than five minutes. Sarah Cummings, who is running in the 3,200 meters, qualified as an alternate with 10:45.16. Buckley’s also in the 800 meters with a 2:09.66 seeded time.

“They’re very good. It’s kind of nice to have the girls be No. 1 in CIF and put CdM on the map,” Scott said. “It gives CdM a respectable reputation.”

The girls’ track team won the Division III finals last week for the third straight year.

Tiffany Liu of CdM will compete in the triple jump. She qualified with a mark of 38 feet, 4 3/4 inches.

Newport Harbor senior Allison Stokke, the CIF Division II pole vault champion, qualified for Masters with a clearance of 12 feet last Saturday and teammate Jessica Robson will compete in the high jump, which she won in Divison II last week with a 5-5 mark. Taylor Bryson qualified as an alternate in the 1,600 with 5:02.34 for Newport Harbor.

The top five in each event will advance to the State Championships, June 1-2 in Sacramento.

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or [email protected].