O.C. qualifies strong group for state track

NORWALK -Throughout the 2009 track and field season, Tustin senior Ameer Webb has shown the potential to be among the county’s best 200-meter sprinters.

With a berth in the state meet on the line, Webb showed Friday that his talent is among the best in the state, too.

Webb caught and passed Cathedral senior and current state leader Randall Carroll on the final straight-away to win the 200 at the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet at Cerritos College.

“I just tried to keep my form and pick up my speed,” said Webb, who finished in a time of 21.59. “I didn’t think that I would beat Carroll, and it feels great.”

In the best comeback of the meet, Valencia junior Sean Krinik survived a near fall midway through the final lap and rallied past half the field over the final 100 meters to win the 800 title in a time of 1:53.79.

“I was tripping and bumped into a bunch of people, but I got up and kicked for my life,” Krinik said. “I wanted it so bad and my goal is to go to the state meet and do my best.”

For the third consecutive week, El Toro senior Toby Villalva (4:10.05) outsprinted Dana Hills senior Tyler Valdes (4:11.35) down the final stretch of the 1600 to win.

“I was happy with the way I competed and how the race went today,” Villalva said.

Mission Viejo junior and state leader Devalle Pedrogo added another title to his standout season, winning the 110 hurdles in a time of 14.13.

“I wanted to win my heat and advance to state,” Pedrogo said. “I’m looking forward to running my race and going for the win.”

Newport Harbor junior Cecil Whiteside will return to the state meet after winning the boys discus with a throw of 182 feet, 5 inches.

“I had a real good week of practice and that throw felt good,” said Whiteside. “This meet was about qualifying and winning was a bonus.”

Esperanza senior Jake Pendleton will also return to the state competition, finishing third overall with a throw of 175 feet, 5 inches.

Dana Hills sophomore Devin Harrison advanced to the state meet for the first time, winning the long jump title with a leap of 23 feet, 4 inches.

“I knew I had what it takes to get to this point,” said Harrison. “I want to go to the state meet and do my best.”

Fountain Valley junior Kyle Middlebrooks (10.68) will compete in the 100 at the state meet, finishing second to state leader Carroll (10.50).

“I tried to close as best I could,” said Middlebrooks. “He (Randall) is a senior and this will be my last chance against him at state.”

In the girls’ 3,200, Aliso Niguel freshman Danica Wyson (10:37.09) was the top county qualifier, finishing second.

“I’m so excited that I made it,” said Wyson. “I’ve gotten under the qualifying time before and this proves that I can do it.”

Edison senior Hillary Hayes (10:37.37) was third, with Orange Lutheran senior Staci Foster (10:38.28) placing fourth.

San Clemente senior Alex Dunne (10:40.71), who led most of the race, finished fifth after pulling up down the stretch with an apparent leg ailment, but qualified for the state meet.

Santa Margarita junior Claire Hawkins advanced to the state meet, winning the pole vault competition with a lifetime best clearance of 12 feet, 9 inches.

“I’ve been working really hard and this is rewarding,” said Hawkins.

In the girls shot put, Katella senior Luseane Makenesi qualified for the state meet, finishing fifth overall with a throw of 42 feet, 5 ¼ inches.

The Trabuco Hills girls 400 relay team (47.67) qualified for the state meet first time in school history.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com