Track and field: Oaks Christian’s Owusu aiming for wins in the 100, 200

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Don’t be surprised if Oaks Christian’s Chris Owusu wins both the 200 and 100 meters boys’ races Saturday at the Arcadia Invitational because his coach certainly won’t be shocked.

‘I expect him to win,’ Wes Smith said. ‘I know it’s kind of a big deal to say that because it’s going to be hard going up against such a great field, but I know he can do it.’

Well, Owusu, pictured in white, is certainly the favorite to win the 200 since his time of 21.30 seconds is the fastest in the state this season.

But can the Stanford-bound wide receiver take the 100? His Triton Invitational negative-wind time of 10.74 is the fourth-quickest in the state, and Smith feels he’s totally capable of posting a 10.2 or 10.3 since he recorded a wind-aided 10.42 last month. Still, beating state leader Randall Carroll of Cathedral isn’t going to be easy.

‘Carroll may be a little more refined at this point,’ Smith said. ‘We’ll see how Chris does -- we’ll take our licks now if it means we’ll be better prepared by the end of May.’

Another Oaks Christian athlete to watch will be high jumper Jules Sharpe, who is one of the favorites to win the state title. His 6-foot-10 jump at last month’s Triton Invitational is tied for the second-best mark in the state this spring.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times