Boys’ Player of the Week : Dancy Takes Turn at Santa Ana Valley’s Best

William Dancy of Santa Ana Valley High School is going through an awakening of sorts.

Dancy used to be uncomfortable talking about his success as a member of Santa Ana Valley’s track and field team. He never thought he was a star.

“I just like running to see how fast I can go and how much I can improve,” Dancy said.

Yet, others view him as the team’s backbone, according to Coach George Payan.

“William is worth 20 points every dual meet,” Payan said. “Whatever we ask of him, he’ll do it.”

And Payan has asked a lot.

Dancy, The Times’ player of the week, runs the 100-yard and 200-yard sprints, as well as competing in the long jump and triple jump. And he excels in them all.

Saturday at the Orange County championships, Dancy, a junior, finished first in the 100, 200 and long jump and was named the athlete of the meet.

“William is basically a shy kid, he doesn’t boast about his accomplishments,” said Noble Franklin, who coaches the Falcons’ sprinters. “I think that’s hurt him at big meets in the past. He didn’t feel he belonged among that type of competition.”

But Dancy’s attitude has changed the past few weeks.

He still doesn’t talk much about his exploits, but he’s starting to realize his potential.

“I think a lot of that is maturity,” Franklin said. “William has always had raw talent and everybody always expected him to step forward. But now he’s expecting it of himself.”

For more than a week, Dancy was looking down the line at the Orange County championships. He began preparing himself mentally for the meet and was eager to do well.

“I read in the paper about this guy from Mission Viejo (High School, Jason Holloway) that was fast and everyone expected him to challenge me in the 100,” Dancy said. “I was going to get to the finish line first.”

Getting there first is something Dancy intends to keep doing the rest of the season. His goals include qualifying in the 100 for the Southern Section and state meets.

Said Franklin, “The top sprinter at (Santa Ana) Valley is usually one of the top sprinters in Orange County. William is now taking his turn as Valley’s top sprinter.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Neil Carter of Saddleback went 7 for 8 last week, with two RBIs, two runs scored and four stolen bases, as the Roadrunners split two Sea View League games against University.

Conrad Colby of Estancia had four hits, including three doubles and a home run, and drove in five runs last Wednesday in the Eagles’ 13-3 victory over Newport Harbor. He threw a three-hit shutout Friday, as Estancia again defeated Newport Harbor. Colby has 27 career doubles, three short of the Southern Section held by Brian Greer of Sonora.

Vince Chavira of Fullerton went 6 for 8 with six RBIs, as the Indians swept two Freeway League games from Buena Park.

Ron Scott of Foothill won both the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley, as the Knights beat Villa Park, 88-68, in a Century League dual swim meet Wednesday. Scott’s time of 2:01.58 in the 200 medley was a personal best, and his time of 1:04.39 was his best in a dual meet this season.

Eddie Lavelle of Corona del Mar placed second in the mile at the Mt. Carmel Invitational at Poway High School Saturday in 4 minutes 16.56 seconds, a personal best by 4.5 seconds.

William Dancy

Santa Ana Valley High

Position: Sprinter, high jumper, triple jumper

Height, Weight, Class: 5-10, 150, Jr.

Last Week: Dancy won the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump in the Orange County track and field championships.

Season: Dancy has not lost an event in a dual meet this season.