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    Newport Harbor's Allison Stokke at the CIF Masters track meet at Cerritos College.

    MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

    MORE PHOTOS

    Internet tips

    Want to get offensive material taken off Web sites? There are some things you can do, experts say. But they cost money and time, and results aren't automatic:

    •Hire a specialist. Companies such as Reputation Defender search out all information about you or your child and destroy all undesired information. More info: reputationdefender.com.

    •Hire an attorney. They can fire off cease-and-desist letters and threaten litigation.

    •Contact Web site administrators. Sometimes a direct appeal can work. Most Web sites list the administrators' names and how to reach them.

    Source: Tyler Offenhauser, Bremer Whyte Brown & O'Meara, Newport Beach

    Allison Stokke: Unwanted attention

    The Orange County Register
    Newport Harbor High's Allison Stokke is one of 25 girls in California who has qualified for the CIF State Track and Field Championships in the pole vault.

    As one of the favorites going into Friday night's prelims, Stokke will be a closely watched competitor at Hughes Stadium at Sacramento City College.

    But in recent weeks, Stokke has attracted a different kind of attention, an unwanted and sometimes lewd type of attention from cyberspace.

    Stokke has become an Internet sensation based not on her impressive clearances in the pole vault but because of her looks.

    Several sports blogs have posted photographs of her at competitions. A Google search of her name generates 197,000 results. An Allison Stokke Fans MySpace page lists more than 1,000 friends.

    Some of the attention has even spread to the online version of Maxim magazine. Maximonline.com had hopes of producing an exclusive photo gallery of Stokke.

    "We wanted to do a sports feature on her," said Kelly Stuart, photo editor of Maximonline.com.

    But when Stuart learned Wednesday that Stokke was a high school senior, the plans ended. Models need to be 21, Stuart said.

    On the sports blog sites, the coverage of Stokke doesn't stop with the images. There's commentary and lewd comments from readers.

    One blog earlier this month had a photo of Stokke and an accompanying article that included a sentence, "Hubba hubba and other grunting sounds."

    While the readers of the blogs have lapped up the coverage, Stokke and her family feel uneasy.

    "We are concerned about all of this," said Allan Stokke, Allison's father and a prominent Orange County defense attorney. "Some of the comments are pretty crude, and some people make comments that no dad wants to hear about their daughter."

    At least one Web site has responded to Stokke's concerns. The site "allisonstokke.com" called itself an unofficial fan page and featured 12 photos. But earlier this week, the site changed its slogan to the "former" unofficial fan page, removed the photos and wrote a farewell message.

    "Sorry for having contributed to the unwanted attention, Allison," the message read.

    The demand for the pole vaulter doesn't seem to be waning. CNN, ESPN and the morning television shows are all calling.

    David Cohen, an associate producer for "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet," said his show was interested in talking to Stokke about the problems of being young and featured on the Internet.

    Stokke, however, has made it known she isn't doing interviews before the state meet.

    Eric Tweit, Newport Harbor's girls track coach, said his athlete is focused on winning a state title. "Her focus is no different (this week)," he said. "It doesn't matter what's going on in the outside."

    Stokke has built an impressive track resume. She won the CIF state championship as a freshman and is headed to Cal next season. A background in gymnastics has provided her speed for the run-up and excellent body awareness for getting over the pole.

    Near the end of her sophomore season, she broke her tibia during an errant landing in practice. She used her junior season to help regain her confidence, said Kevin Magula, her club coach with Marina High-based Higher Flyers Pole Vault Club.

    Earlier this season, Stokke cleared an Orange County record 13 feet, 7 inches.

    Stokke isn't alone at Newport Harbor with her concern over the use of photos on the Internet. Newport Harbor's aquatics boosters are looking into ways to protect their athletes.

    "All it takes is one photo on Facebook or MySpace and low and behold, it's out there," said Mary Pat Robinson, a parent of a water polo player. "That's what is scary."

    Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com

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    Reader's comments




    There are many reasons why Allison has received the attention she has. Among those reasons are that she is attractive, in great shape and is dressed to "enhance" these attributes. Allison, if you are serious about gaining attention for reasons other than your impressive pole vaulting skills perhaps you should consider more modest, less revealing attire. I know many women who purposely dress to minimize the assets of their physique in the interest of attracting the "right" kind of attention and not attention for the "wrong" reasons. You are an attractive adult woman and should know that how you dress effects the way people perceive you. This is life, it is YOUR choice.

    Greg - Jun 20, 2007 10:17:49 AM Remove Comment

     
    John, you are the one who is misinformed. There is a big difference between an adult woman pole vaulter choosing to wear revealing clothing and a HIGH SCHOOL girl being exploited by her coach or parents for being allowed to compete and practice in a sexualized provocative uniform that is NOT REQUIRED in any way for her to perform. Look at HIGH SCHOOL girls' and boys uniforms. They are generally NOT spandex that is two sizes too small. Granted Stokke is 18 now, but she dressed this way when she was a minor as well. That makes it HER PARENTS' responsibility. How ironic that you should admit to not wanting your own daughter to dress like this in public, yet for some reason it is just fine for Stokke.

    Kelly - Jun 09, 2007 07:49:21 AM Remove Comment

     
    OF COURSE shes going to get extra attention because she's hot! I wish I had that problem. This girls life is going to be EASY because she won the genetic lottery. If you have to handle a little extra attention because youre hot than tough sht. When did we become such BABIES that extra attention is a huge problem? Sure some people make crude comments. So what. Deal with it. Small price to pay for being born beautiful. Would she rather be homely and have no attention paid to her? I think not.

    Bob - Jun 06, 2007 10:41:08 AM Remove Comment

     
    Amazing that this family is associated with the Haidl family. What's the word for this, "Karma"?

    Chutzpah - Jun 01, 2007 12:43:32 PM Remove Comment

     
    she's wearing the standard school uniform for her sport, i would imagine. but if she asked to compete in something else on the grounds that she finds this uniform too revealing, i doubt the school would deny her.

    ham - Jun 01, 2007 11:44:18 AM Remove Comment

     
    more modest uniform? Its pole vaulting! Its sports outfit. Should she wear an evening gown to speed down the track and launch herself from a pole? I guess the Olympics are too revealing for you, too

    who, me? - May 31, 2007 02:09:45 PM Remove Comment

     
    Oh PLEASE Kelly you're probably one of those people who believe that women are asking for it by the way they are dressed. There could possibly be a reason she dressed that way to compete.

    Deb - May 31, 2007 10:10:14 AM Remove Comment

     
    If Miss Stokke had worn a more modest uniform, she would not be having these problems now. There is no requirement or need that pole vaulters wear two tiny pieces of spandex in order to compete.

    Kelly - May 31, 2007 09:31:03 AM Remove Comment
     

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