Whiteside captures Masters title

NORWALK — When Cecil Whiteside finished third in the discus in the CIF Southern Section Division III Championships, he didn’t become angry. He became determined. Anxious for the next week.

Whiteside also intensified his practices throughout the week, wanting to defend his CIF Southern Section Masters title.

Mission accomplished.

Whiteside won the discus at the Masters meet for the second straight year Friday at Cerritos College. His first-place mark of 182 feet, 5 inches easily won the event, as Daniel Swarbrick of Saugus finished second at 175-7. Jake Pendleton of Esperanza came in third with a mark of 175-5.

Whiteside also advanced to the state meet, June 5 at Buchanan High in Clovis. He’ll try to advance to the state finals, June 6.

“I was anxious to throw again and compete,” Whiteside said of how he felt after last week’s third-place showing. “It’s all part of throwing [what happened last week]. I just wanted to get after it again, to try and overcome that.”

Whiteside said his rhythm was off last week, but he was in tune Friday.

“It feels great,” Whiteside said of winning. “I’ve been having a real good three weeks of practice actually. I just felt confident going in. Unfortunately I didn’t win CIF [Division II], but I did come back and win the Masters.”

Corona del Mar High senior Blaine Bolus nearly advanced to state, finishing sixth and missing to qualify by one spot and less than an inch in the triple jump. Corona del Mar junior Marisa Cummings finished 12th in the 1,600 meters in 5:00.75.

Before his last jump, Bolus was in fifth, but Oaks Christian’s Jules Sharp passed him to take the spot, at 46-2. Then Bolus pulled his hamstring on his final attempt, CdM Coach Bill Sumner said. Bolus was sixth at 46-1 3/4 .

Rancho Verde’s Curtis Wilson won the triple jump with a mark of 48-2 1/2 .

Cummings’ finish was her second-best time this season. Her personal record is 4:58.34, achieved last week when she finished 11th in Division III.

“That’s how you want to finish the season, with your best times,” Sumner said.

Redondo’s Chloe Curtis won the 1,600 in 4:51.32.

— From staff reports