Boys cross country: Sea Kings deep, ready for PCL battle

Tony Altobelli

CORONA DEL MAR - Despite the loss of two top veteran runners to

graduation in Josh Yelsey and Travis Beardslee, the Corona del Mar High

boys cross country team keeps rolling right along and, by the end of the

year, should be a major factor in the CIF Southern Section finals.

“It’s going to be tough to replace runners like Josh (Yelsey) and

Travis (Beardslee), but we’re returning five runners with varsity

experience and they are all better than they were last year,” CdM Coach

Bill Sumner said. “We’ve got a lot of young talent on this team as well

and by the end of the year, they should be where they need to be in order

to be successful.”

Last year’s Sea Kings finished third in the Pacific Coast League, but

will look to improve thanks to the return of six runners with varsity

experience.

Depending on the course, Sumner likes his chances with senior Dustin

Hodges and Newport Harbor transfer, sophomore Kevin Artz. “Dustin is a

much stronger runner, while Kevin has more speed,” Sumner said. “Both

will be up there in each race.”

Other CdM runners with key varsity experience include seniors Mark

Pomerantz and Ben Inouye, junior Blake Dillion and sophomores Danny

Quinlan and J.C. Turner.

“These guys have been through the battles and they know what to

expect,” Sumner said. “As a team, our goal is to be a top-four team in

the CIF, but in the back of my mind, I’m always trying to figure out a

way to win CIF. Now that we’re in Division III, teams like La Canada and

Nordhoff will be the favorites.”

Among Sumner’s newcomers, senior Matt Gugliuzza has been a pleasant

surprise since coming over from the baseball team.

“He needs cross country knowledge and needs to get into cross country

shape, but when he does, he’s going to turn a lot of heads out there,”

Sumner said. “He’s dynamite.”

Joining the Sea Kings’ squad include senior trackster Chris Carpenter,

sophomore high jumper Chris Ringstrom and sophomore Brandon Brocaman

As far as league goes, Estancia is still the team to beat,” Sumner

said. “They’re loaded for this year, but we’ve got some strong runners

over here too.”

CORONA DEL MAR BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Kevin Artz So.

Brandon Brocaman So.

Chris Carpenter Sr.

Blake Dillion Jr.

Matt Gugliuzza Sr.

Dustin Hodges Sr.

Ben Inouye Sr.

Mark Pomerantz Sr.

Danny Quinlan So.

Chris Ringstrom So.

J.C. Turner So.

Coach - Bill Sumner