Girls cross country: Steen goes back-to-back

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - Since last week, Newport Harbor High girls cross country

standout runner Amber Steen has been feeling the effects of the changing

weather. She has been ill with almost everything -- headaches, fever and

a stuffy nose.

But the Harbor senior wasn’t about to let any illness come in her way

of a chance to defend her Sea View League championship.

Steen, fighting off an upset stomach and another nagging headache,

sped through the Sea View pack in the final meet at Irvine Park Friday en

route to her second straight championship. Her performance helped the

Sailors finish second, a point behind league champion Woodbridge.

Steen finished in 17:07, 37 seconds ahead of Jessica Kanin of

Woodbridge.

“I’ve been sicker than sick coming into this race,” Steen said after

running the three-mile course. “Headaches, nasal congestion, everything

you can think of, I’ve had it.”

Steen was determined to win the race. Her motivating factors paced her

throughout the race. From her strong start to her emphatic finish,

Steen’s inspiration came from family, teammates, the quest for the Sea

View League crown and the future.

“I wanted to be a league champ for the second year in a row,” she

said. “Seeing Chris (McMillen) win his championship got me going as well.

Two seniors winning their races from the same school. That’s pretty

fantastic if you ask me.”

Harbor finished second Friday and ended up in second place in the

final league standings. Freshman Lauren Paul (18:47), Erin Friedman

(18:54), Sonya Mechkor (19:08) and Lynn Rinek (19:10) all finished in the

top 12 for Newport. Natalie St. Andre (19:10) was 14th.