Shanklin Wins Four Events at Sea View League Finals

Amanda Shanklin didn’t set out to win four events at the Sea View League track and field finals Thursday. But when the Santa Margarita junior heard it was possible over the public address system, she liked the idea.

Shanklin became the first female athlete to win four individual events in the meet’s 20-year history. She set meet records in the 300 hurdles (44.02) and triple jump (37-8), and also won the 100 hurdles (15.0) and long jump (17-1).

“I wasn’t even thinking about [winning four events] until they made an announcement, then I really pushed for it,” Shanklin said. “When they said that, I was kind of like ‘OK, I can do this. That would be awesome.’ ”

Shanklin’s performance helped Santa Margarita win the girls’ title for the first time. The Eagles finished with 143 points, Newport Harbor was second (103) and Woodbridge third (93).

The El Toro boys’ team, boosted by a sweep of the top five spots in the pole vault, won the meet for the fourth straight year. The Chargers finished with 130 points, Newport Harbor was a surprising second (117) and Santa Margarita third (78).

Al Williams of Irvine was the top performer in the boys’ competition. Williams, who finished third in the state in the 300 hurdles last season, won that event in 37.64 and he also placed first in the 110 hurdles (14.23) and high jump (6-4).

“I feel more confident this year because last year about this time I was kind of the unknown guy,” Williams said.

Meryl Stone of Woodbridge also had an impressive day. Stone anchored the Warriors’ 400 relay team to a first-place finish in 48.5, the first time Woodbridge has broken 50 seconds this season, and she also won the 100 (12.2) and 200 (24.84).

El Toro’s Emily Gleason won the discus with a throw of 127 feet 10 inches, then threw the shotput 36-3 in her last attempt to move ahead of Santa Margarita’s Brooke Fitzgerald (35-9 3/4).

Matt Brooks of Santa Margarita finished ahead of Woodbridge’s Myron Bownes and won the 100 (11.08) and 200 (22.43).

In the most competitive event, Newport Harbor’s Amber Steen blew past teammate Alicia McFall and El Toro’s Becky Miske in the final straightaway to win the 1,600 in 5:09. The girls’ 3,200 also presented a competitive race with Corona del Mar’s Jen Blair (11:07.67) outlasting McFall (11:08.05).

In the boys’ 1,600, Danny Lee of El Toro passed Newport Harbor’s Curt Herberts in the final turn to win the event in 4:21.6. Lee also finished second in the 3,200 to Corona del Mar’s Matt Dennerline (9:41.83).