MT. SAC TRACK AND FIELD RELAYS : There’s Fire Behind the Flash of Huntington Beach Hurdler

Adrian Brown bobs as he walks. His wedge-cut hairdo, streaked with orange, sways as he struts. His moves are coated in attitude.

When you’re fluent in cool, your body language needs no translation.

Especially if you’re Brown, Huntington Beach’s hip-hop hurdler. Though opponents--and some teammates--often brand him as a super cocky kid, Brown says he’s really a genuinely good guy.

“I’m just regular, everyday Adrian,” Brown said. “I’m nice to people, and I like to do good things for them. I think I’m a good kid. I mean, I don’t think I’m outlandish or anything.”

Of course, everyone’s entitled to an opinion.

And Brown likes his opinions. He admits his outspoken, flashy ways might have made others leery, but he doesn’t care. He sees himself as a happy-go-lucky lad in a mixed-up, narrow-minded world.

Moments after placing third Saturday in the 110-meter high hurdles at the Mt. SAC Relays, Brown stated that he would have won had he not slammed a couple of hurdles along the way. He offered his deeply scratched knee as proof. It was bloody good testimony.

His time of 14.75 equaled that of the second-place finisher, Hawthorne’s Desmond Smith. Escondido’s Keith Williams won in 14.46.

“I hit the first hurdle, but I tried to stay calm,” said Brown. “I was focused, but I had this big football player type next to me. I started out in fifth, but I came back. At a certain point I hit a hurdle really hard. Fortunately I came back.

“I’m kind of disappointed I didn’t win, but it built my confidence.”

Built his confidence? Brace yourself, track world.

Brown, who has been known to look back during races when he was clearly ahead and raise his fist at the finish, developed a reputation as the king of cockiness several years ago when he was a national age-group champion.

Elinor Tolson, a sophomore hurdler at Fountain Valley, competed in the same meets as Brown in junior high school. When asked about Brown last year, Tolson rolled her eyes and chuckled.

“Yeah, Adrian thinks he’s pret-ty hot,” she said.

Or maybe it’s just an act, as Brown’s best friend, Bill Gainnie, suggests: “Adrian probably acts that way because he’s trying to build himself up in his eyes,” Gainnie said.

Sounds fishy, but who knows? Last year, Brown went into the Arcadia Invitational planning to win. He finished fifth and refused to talk to reporters afterward. When the Sunset League finals came around, Brown couldn’t compete. A strained lower back left him out of the competition and therefore out of Southern Section and State events.

He was quickly labeled a washout; his confidence drained.

This year, he entered the Arcadia meet at the last minute, hoping for a victory so he could put his dismal junior season behind him.

He false-started.

The only thing that stands out in his mind about Arcadia now is the starter handing him back his earring--Brown didn’t want the gold hoop to slow him down--and the starter’s stinging words.

“He said, ‘You’re outta here,’ ” Brown said. “And that was it.”

Saturday’s performance buoyed Brown. In addition to the third place in the open hurdles, he led Huntington Beach to victory in the shuttle hurdle relay. The Oilers’ time of 1:02.46 is the fastest time in the nation this year.

How often is that race run? About as often as cats chase dogs. But Brown doesn’t care. It’s a step in the right direction. And that’s the way Brown’s aiming to go, not only on the track but in the ways of the world.

Consider this: Last year, Brown and Gainnie formed a rap band called 2 Outta Time. Brown calls the band “unique” because its purpose is to encourage kids to stay away from drugs.

They’ve performed for elementary schools around Orange County, and next week will rap to three schools during lunch hours. They’ve been invited to perform at a Say No To Drugs rally June 15 at Irvine Meadows. They’re working on a video.

Those who passed by the Mt. SAC track Saturday caught Brown and Gainnie in their act. An excerpt:

You’re soaking up drugs

Like a buttermilk biscuit

I say ‘That will kill you,’

You say ‘Nah, I’ll risk it.’

I tell you don’t be stupid

‘Cause there’s nothing to risk

You’ll die like a fly

And it’s life you’ll miss.

OK, so it’s clean and socially conscious--a rap Nancy Reagan would love. Brown doesn’t care. He says he is who he is and he’ll do what he’ll do.

And that’s not a bad rap at all.