St. Geme, Bjelland ready for breakout

Steve Virgen

The Orange County Track and Field Championships is sometimes used as

the springboard to gather momentum that carries into the season’s

closing weeks.

Such is the case for many of the Newport-Mesa athletes who will be

competing in the Orange County Championships today at Trabuco Hills

High.

Corona del Mar freshman Anne St. Geme and Costa Mesa junior

Christine Bjelland will compete in the girls 1,600 meters at 10:38

a.m. St. Geme, whose personal record in the 1,600 is 5:07, is

prepared to make a name for herself in the race, while Bjelland plans

to show how far along she has come from an injured hip in the fall.

Bjelland “warmed up” for the Orange County Championships by

winning three events and leading Costa Mesa to a dual-meet victory

over crosstown rival Estancia Thursday.

“She looked real good (Thursday),” Mesa Coach Glenn Mitchell said.

“She’s been working her tail off.... I’m anxious to see what she’ll

look like (today).”

Mitchell is also excited to see senior Sharon Day, who will

attempt to break her own Orange County record in the high jump, which

is 6 feet, 2 inches. The high jump is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Senior Rhondi Naff (triple and long jump) juniors Cassey Brick (300

hurdles and long jump) and Stacey Krikorian (400) will also compete

for the Mesa girls.

Senior Zach Powell, who will race in the 800, along with 1,600-

and 3200-meter runners Marco Huipe and Carlos Ibarra will represent

the Mustang boys squad, as will senior Danny Krikorian (long and

triple jump).

Also on the boys side, Estancia senior Humberto Rojas will attempt

to finish under 9:26 to break the school record in the 3,200 at 4:10

p.m. Sumner said he is interested to see how CdM junior Chris

Ringstrom will react as he will be pushed in the 200 and 400 meters.

Junior Kevin Artz plans to show his steady rise in the Orange County

ranks in the 800 and 1,600, while sophomore Andrew Wong competes in

the pole vault for the Sea Kings.

For the CdM girls, sophomore Melissa Swigert (200, 400 and both

relays), along with junior Sara Claster (400) will attempt to achieve

personal records, as will senior Becky Cummins (3,200).

The Newport Harbor girls are led by junior Elizabeth Clayton, who

is back after sitting out the past three weeks with a shin injury.

She will compete in the triple jump and 100 hurdles, while senior Amy

Burlingham will race in the 400 and both relays.

The Newport Harbor boys along with Sage Hill will also be

competing today.