TUSTIN RELAYS : Parlin Comes Into His Own With a Victory in Discus

Mark Parlin of Esperanza High School had little to say after he won the discus in the field portion of the Tustin Relays Friday at Tustin High School.

But that’s typical for Parlin, a junior who suddenly has found himself among the best throwers in the county.

“It could have been better,” was all Parlin had to say of his winning mark of 171 feet 5 1/2 inches.

Parlin, who was the Empire League’s frosh-soph discus champion the past two years, had a throw of 175-3 two weeks ago at the Artesia Relays, breaking the Esperanza school record of 164-7 set last year by Chuck Underwood.

With a personal best of 140-0 last season and a first-meet throw of 160-1 this year, Parlin’s sudden success has surprised even his coach.

“He wouldn’t have made it to CIF last year (at 145-0) and usually he has been a guy who peaked late in the year,” said Bill Pendleton, Esperanza’s throwing coach. “This year, he threw super right off.”

Pendleton, the defensive coordinator for Esperanza’s football team, said Parlin was one of seven freshmen he recruited three years ago for the track team.

“He was a fairly big kid and he was well-coordinated,” Pendleton said. “But at the time, I didn’t know he’d be this good.”

Pendleton said that all the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Parlin has lacked the past two years has been strength. A second-team all-Empire League running back, he has added 35 pounds since last spring.

“He was always a technically good thrower with average strength,” Pendleton said. “Now, he’s a technically good thrower with very good strength.”

Parlin also placed fourth in the shotput (53-6). Esperanza’s Mike Burns won the shot (55-9 1/2) and teammate Mark Kinney was second (53-8).

In the girls’ competition, Joanna Alo of Santa Ana Valley won the shot (40-5) and Marcia Fogg of Tustin won the triple jump (35-9). Fogg also placed third in the long jump (16-1 1/2).