Costa Mesa girls remain undefeated

The Costa Mesa High girls track and field team won again by a

decisive margin, and the Mesa boys battled to a close dual meet

again, this time with visiting Saddleback Thursday. The story

appeared the same as any Golden West League meet, but there was a bit

of twist to this one.

Costa Mesa Coach Glenn Mitchell gave the biggest reason why the

Costa Mesa boys lost, 61-57, in a meet that was decided in the final

event, the 1,600-meter relay that Saddleback won. Mitchell said

junior Marvin Ramirez was not able to compete in the entire meet

because his cheerleading coach did not let him leave practice.

“We took a second-place finish in [the 110 hurdles],” Mitchell

said. “[Ramirez] would have won that and we would have won the meet,

60-58. Isn’t that ridiculous? I’m always saying we need depth and we

need to share athletes in different sports. This time it came from

cheerleading, which is supposed to support our sports.”

The Mustangs were also at a disadvantage because junior distance

runner Marco Huipe was out because of a calf injury. Senior Danny

Krikorian doubled for the Mustangs, winning the long jump (19-2) and

triple jump (39-3). Senior Zach Powell (800), Carlos Ibarra (3,200),

senior Keola Asuega (shot put) and Paul Martin (discus) captured

victories for Costa Mesa (2-2 in league).

On the girls side, junior Cassey Brick (100 and 300 hurdles) and

senior Rhondi Naff (triple jump and 400) doubled to help lead the

Mustangs to a 81-46 victory over the Roadrunners. Sharon Day, who won

the 200 in 25.9, did not win the high jump. The senior who is the

defending CIF State champion in the event only had one jump, Mitchell

said. Jasmin Day, a freshman and Sharon’s sister, won the high jump.

Senior Toshia Bryant (100), junior Christine Bjelland (1,600),

freshman Kathryn Connell (3,200) and junior Thida Pov (shot put)

contributed victories to help Costa Mesa improve to 4-0 in league.