Sakioka part of big day for Newport Harbor

SAN CLEMENTE - Down to his final jump of the competition in a showdown against a good friend and top opponent, Newport Harbor senior Mark Sakioka knew it was time to produce a clutch vault.

His successful execution brought him a big early-season victory and put him alone atop the county leaderboard.

Sakioka vaulted a season-best 15 feet, six inches, beating El Toro senior Adam Bragg (15-0) to win the pole vault title at the sixth annual ASICS Triton Invitational on Saturday at San Clemente High.

"Being able to come out here and make the third attempt definitely helps the confidence," Sakioka said. "He (Adam) is one of my buddies, and it's great to compete against guys like him."

The county's top two vaulters were facing their final attempts at 15-0 when Bragg was unable to clear the height. On Sakioka's final attempt, he strode down the runway and vaulted high over the bar.

It was also a victorious day for Newport Harbor in both throwing competitions. Senior Ryan Andrews, the county leader in the shot put, repeated as invitational champion with a throw of 55 feet, 10 inches.

"We have a lot of good competition within our team, and guys are just pushing each other every meet," Andrews said.

Esperanza senior Mason Miller (54-1) was second, and Sailors junior Steve Michaelsen (53-8) finished third. Newport Harbor had five throwers finish in the top six. The group included junior Ethan Cochran, who won his third straight invitational discus competition with a throw of 177-1.

"My first couple of throws I rushed a little, but at the end, I finally started to relax and pull through," Cochrane said.

Michaelsen (167-6) finished second and Miller (165-0) was third, as the Sailors had five throwers place among the top seven.

Canyon junior Cody Crampton won the meet's high jump title for the second year in a row, clearing 6-7.

"I would have liked to go higher, but it's always great to win," Crampton said.

Northwood senior Ryan Collier also enjoyed a strong showing, winning both the triple jump (44-6 ½) and the long jump (22-3).

Esperanza's distance medley relay team set a new meet record with a time of 10:30.81. The Aztecs also won the 3,200 relay in a time of 8:18.92.

Other individual county winners included:   Esperanza senior Tosin Sonuyi (11.07) in the 100, Tesoro sophomore Hunter Simmons (23.07) and junior Derek Barnes (50.63) in the 200 and 400, Brea Olinda junior Max McBride (2:00.69) in the 800, Tesoro senior Warren Liem (4:27.15) in the 1,600, and Capistrano Valley junior Edward Shafron (9:48.71) in the 3200.