State Track Meet : Qualifying Marks Get Carried Away in Wind

A bone-chilling, blustery wind was the dominant performer during first-day competition in the State track and field meet at Hughes Stadium Friday.

Under ideal conditions, the scramble for the nine spots in each of this afternoon’s finals produces a cache of gems for the record books. Friday, however, the steady wind and gradually cooling temperatures turned even the best efforts into zircons.

“The wind was incredible in the high jump,” said Clovis’ Latrese Johnson, the national record-holder in the event. “One time, a girl was over the bar easy and bam, the wind almost knocked the bar out into the grass. All you could do was wait for it to die down and then get up and over as fast as you can.”

It was a crosswind for most of the competitors, but Capistrano Valley’s Brian Blutreich hurled the discus 201 feet to advance easily. He also qualified in the shotput with a heave of 67-3.

In addition, San Diego Mt. Miguel sophomore Jackie Anderson hopped, stepped and jumped 41-5 1/2 in the triple jump, the first time this season a California girl has exceeded the 41-foot barrier.

Other favorites were content to perform just well enough to qualify.

Pasadena’s Damon Thomas, undefeated in 22 straight 110-hurdle races advanced as did Cabrillo’s George Porter, the national record-holder in the 300 hurdles. Porter cruised to a 36.05 clocking, which was good enough to break his State mark of 36.10 set last year, but was well off his best effort of 35.32 last week at Mt. San Antonio.

Coming into the meet, the race for the boys’ team title was expected to be a one-horse show with Hawthorne’s power-laden squad, looking like a cinch to claim its third straight title. The qualifying did nothing to change that impression.

Leading the way for the Cougars were Michael Marsh in the 200 and Sean Kelly in the 800. Coach Kye Courtney’s team is also expected to score heavily in the 1,600- and 400-meter relays.

“Hey, I told the kids that if they could outscore Blutreich, they could win it again,” Courtney said. “All we need is 21, cause Brian can only get 20.”

Two other athletes who could bring home 20 points are L.A. City stars Roman Gomez of Belmont, the defending champion in the 1,600 and 3,200, and Danny Everett of Fairfax in the 200 and 400. The girls’ competition will be a three-way fight for the top. Pasadena Muir, with multi-talented Carrie Franklin and powerful Linetta Wilson, should have enough to hold off Locke and Hawthorne. Locke’s chances will hinge on Chewuakii (Choo Choo) Knighten, who is hampered by a hamstring pull.

Track Notes

Hawthorne sprinter Henry Thomas, two weeks removed from major surgery, almost ran a leg on the Cougars’ 400-meter relay. Coach Kye Courtney, believing Thomas, the defending champion in the 100 and 200, had his parents’ and doctor’s permission to return to the track had penciled Thomas in. But, just before the race, Thomas’ father and Courtney agreed it might not be wise. “He had been working out all week and I had talked to his mom, so I thought they knew,” Courtney said. “But the father told me Henry’s doctor said he would be about 90% in six weeks. He really wanted to run. Telling him he couldn’t was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in coaching. He’s a competitor.” . . . If he gets a quick start, Anaheim Katella’s Terry Johnson could be the one to end Damon Thomas’ winning streak in the 110 hurdles. “Terry is running well,” said Thomas of Pasadena, who has won 22 races in a row. “I’ve been focused on State since last summer.” Defending champion Chip Rish of Huntington Beach Marina looked impressive in winning his 400 heat.