CdM’s Powers to become Michigan Wolverine

Bill Sumner has spent a good portion of his coaching career working with kids from the affluent community of Corona del Mar.

While many of the athletes that he has trained might not need a scholarship to afford college, the Sea Kings distance running coach says there are ulterior motives.

The scholarship serves as validation of the hard work that has been put in by the athlete, and it was Raquel Powers’ turn to be rewarded this week.

Powers has made her commitment to the University of Michigan.

Her decision had come down to Michigan and UC San Diego. Powers said that a desire to challenge herself in a power conference played a big role in her choice.

“The fact that it’s Division 1, the Big 10 Conference, that definitely appealed to me,” Powers confirmed. “It was kind of the selling point.”

Powers’ sisters also competed for Division 1 programs. Melanie ran for Wake Forest, while Ashlee did so for UCLA.

In the end, the omnipresent desire to carry on the “Powers Legacy” loomed large.

“My sisters did Division 1,” Powers said. “I know that I can do Division 1, so I think I’m just going to go for it and challenge myself.”

The senior was the No. 1 runner in the Sea Kings’ cross-country program from the day she walked through the door at CdM. She was first in the CIF-SS Division 3 Prelims and fourth in the finals at the Riverside City Cross-Country Course.

Additionally, the Sea Kings ace ran a lifetime best three-mile time of 17:27 in placing fifth at the Orange County Championships at Irvine Regional Park.

Powers took her official visit to Michigan in January. She met Julia Vanitvelt, a Michigan native out of Flint Powers Catholic High.

They developed a close relationship while visiting the college, and the two have confirmed to each other that they will each be competing as Wolverines.

Given the name of Vanitvelt’s high school, it sounds like a friendship made in heaven.

No lead is safe: Escalera reaches new height

A local quartet has provided must-see action in pole vault this season.

Edison’s Michael Chadwick had become the first of the group to clear 16 feet in a Sunset League tri-meet against Huntington Beach and Marina on March 29.

As of Tuesday night, Chadwick no longer stood as the area’s top vaulter this year.

Sage Hill’s Alex Escalera jumped 16 feet, 1 inch to set a new lifetime best in an Academy League meet.

The senior had to dig into his reserves, as he cleared the height on his third attempt.

Escalera took three attempts at 16 feet, 6 inches in an effort to set the record by a vaulter from the Academy League.

Johnny Quinn, who competed at San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s and later UCLA, jumped 16-5 in the state championship meet in 2006.

Marina’s Michael Magula also has a new personal record this week, as he conquered the bar at 15 feet, 8 inches on Wednesday.

Newport Harbor’s Ryan Fegan has been held out of competition the last two weeks with a hamstring strain. His best mark this year is 15-4.

Andrew.Turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @ProfessorTurner