PREP TRACK AND FIELD / SOUTHERN SECTION MASTERS MEET : Esperanza’s Pugmire Has Record Night

For Courtney Pugmire of Esperanza, the Master’s Meet at Cerritos College Friday night meant not only another pair of victories, but also an Orange County record and a spot in the state record books.

Pugmire, a senior, ran away from Agoura’s Amy Skieresz for the second consecutive week in the 3,200 meters, winning in 10 minutes 14.48 seconds. She advances to the State meet at Cerritos next week.

“My competitive side kicks in and it was all over,” said Pugmire, whose time broke the county mark of 10:28.20 set by Carrie Garritson of Sunny Hills in 1992.

Pugmire’s effort ranks as the sixth fastest in California history, the 18th fastest in national history and the fastest prep clocking since 1987. She won the 1,600 in 4:58.69.

“That was Amy’s doing,” Pugmire said of the fast pace. “She knows what she’s doing, so why would I want to take the lead.”

Dana Hills sophomore Bryan Harrison, county champion in the 100 and 200 meters, advanced to the State meet with second-place finishes in both sprint races, running 10.72 and 21.14.

The top five athletes in each event advance to next week’s State meet.

For Mission Viejo freshman Ashley Bethel, the wind died down just enough for her to set the county record in the 100-meter hurdles; she ran 14.27 to finish second.

“What I’m concentrating on is getting my time down into the 13s in the next few weeks,” Bethel said. Sepehr Sharifi of University led a trio of area discus throwers into the State meet, finishing second with a throw of 174 feet, eight inches. Edison senior Jason Bader followed in third (172-11) and Dana Hills’ Randy Hein earned the final qualifying spot with a 171-6 effort.

Erin Stovall of Woodbridge finished second in the long jump (18-7 1/2). Bethel of Mission Viejo (18-7 1/4) was third and defending State champion Tara Oettinger of Foothill (18-6 1/4 finished fourth.

Brandon Pacheco of Brethren Christian used a strong kick in the final 100 meters of the 1,600 to win in 4:18.90.

Pacheco, a senior, then led three county athletes into the State 800 meter race, finishing second (1:51.29) to Michael Granville of Bell Gardens (1:49.43).

Huntington Beach junior Jess Strutzel ran 1:51.75 for third place. Ocean View senior Brian O’Bannon finished fifth in 1:53.12.

The Woodbridge girls’ 400-meter relay team again lowered its county record, running 47.13 but finishing sixth.

Steve Michels of Brethren Christian and Pete Kovaks of El Modena led a county sweep of the pole vault, both clearing 14 feet 6 inches.

*

Notes

Kristy Kierulff of Esperanza and Tayyiba Haneef of Laguna Hills both advanced in the high jump. . . . Adalberto Sanchez of Capistrano Valley avenged a sixth-place finish in last year’s meet, finishing fourth in 9:08.68.