High School Track and Field Preview: Newport Harbor thrower Aidan Elbettar has big marks in mind

The throwing ring could be renamed the king’s court, and it would be appropriate for Newport Harbor High’s Aidan Elbettar.

Elbettar, who signed with UCLA in November, is the area’s lone returner who qualified for the CIF State track and field championships last season.

In his senior season, the two-time state medalist will be shooting for some astronomical marks.

“His goals for this year are 70 feet in the shotput and 70 meters [229 feet] in the discus [throw],” Sailors throws coach Tony Ciarelli said. “These marks are obviously at the very far end of our expectations, since only four other throwers have hit 70 feet in the shot in California history and no one has hit 70 meters in the discus. Hitting both of these goals would be something that no other high school thrower in U.S. history has ever done.

“Right now, in the first part of the season, we are shooting for 65 feet in the shot and 200-plus feet in the discus.”

Elbettar holds personal records of 62 feet, 9½ inches in the shotput and 197-4 in the discus throw. He opened the season with a sweep of the throws in the Eagle Invitational at Santa Margarita, producing marks of 61-2¼ in the shotput and 187-0 in the discus throw on a rainy day.

Edison could be a team gearing up to challenge Los Alamitos in the Surf League finals on the boys’ side. The Chargers have a young but talented corps of sprinters.

Edison’s Ryan Rivituso competes in the 400-meter run during the CIF Southern Section championships at El Camino College on May 11, 2019.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

The 400-meter relay team of junior Jeff Hass, junior Ryan Rivituso, sophomore Russell Munier and junior Jack de Bos ran 42.90 seconds at the Eagle Invitational, a time that made the Chargers fifth in the section.

Individually, Rivituso was a Masters Meet qualifier in the 400. He serves as the anchor leg on the 1,600 relay team.

Chargers coach Derek Harrison said that sophomore Conor Zeutzius has been a pleasant surprise in coming out for track and field for the first time.

“We really feel this kid Conor in the jumps hasn’t even tapped his potential yet,” Harrison said. “Just from what I’ve seen in the workouts, the sky is the limit for this guy. He is unbelievable.

“He jumped 20-10 [with a tail wind of 3.6 meters per second at the Mater Dei Invitational]. He was flying through the air, and then he just dropped his feet. He could have gone over 21 feet easily, but he just dropped his feet.”

Marina discus thrower Alejandra Rosales competes in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 finals at El Camino College on May 19, 2018.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Marina senior thrower Alejandra Rosales and Fountain Valley sophomore 800 runner Kaho Cichon are among the area’s top returning girls’ track and field athletes.

Rosales, a Masters Meet qualifier, ranks third in the section with a discus throw of 124-4 in a tri-meet at Downey Warren on Feb. 22.

Cichon holds a personal record of 2:15.01 in the 800.

The distance running events are a traditional area of strength for local track and field. Laguna Beach runners Logan Brooks and Mateo Bianchi could contend for CIF titles in Division 4.

“There’s some good guys at [Ventura] Foothill Technology, some of the Division 5 [cross-country] guys that are Division 4 in track,” Breakers coach Scott Wittkop said. “There are some quality runners there, but our guys are definitely in the mix for individual titles.”

Brooks, a UC Irvine commit, and Bianchi will hope to replicate what former teammate Sebastian Fisher (Princeton) did in advancing to the state finals in the 1,600 last season.

Costa Mesa distance ace Diane Molina, who also committed to UCI in February, will look to help the Mustangs stay on top of the Orange Coast League on the girls’ side.

Costa Mesa’s Diane Molina runs in the 1,600-meter seeded race of the Orange County Championships at Mission Viejo High on April 14, 2018.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

Estancia is the defending Orange Coast League champion for boys’ track and field.

Sage Hill senior Kate Miller is also a candidate to qualify for CIF in the distance races through the San Joaquin League finals.

Ocean View has Elizabeth King (Golden West League champion) and Diego Gonzalez (state qualifier in Division IV) looking to build off of strong cross-country seasons.

Shannon Strassman of Corona del Mar and Katrina Espeleta of Huntington Beach will look to get back to the CIF postseason in the girls’ pole vault.

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