PREP TRACK : Hurdler Tries Twice as Hard at Arcadia

Ken Haslip figured to lead the nation in the 300-meter hurdles this season, but it is his early success in the 110 high hurdles that is catching everyone off guard.

Running the event for only his second time, the Pasadena Muir High senior recorded the nation’s leading prep time this season, 13.94 seconds, at the Pasadena Games last month.

“I’m still learning how to run the high hurdles,” said Haslip, also a star football player headed for USC. “But once I really get on, I think I can run in the low 13s. I just need to stop knocking the hurdles down. I’ll get it.”

Haslip was one of the top returning 300 hurdlers, having won the event in the State meet last season. His time of 37.09 was the third-fastest among returnees in the nation. With one year of high school competition remaining, he decided to give the high hurdles a try, too.

In the Arcadia/Foot Locker Invitational today at Arcadia High, Haslip faces plenty of competition in each race.

The Arcadia Invitational is one of the most prestigious meets of the year as athletes from 15 states are entered. The invitational session begins at 4 p.m. with field events, followed at 6:30 by the first running event. “We’ve been doing this meet for 27 years, and I think this field has the potential to be our best ever,” organizer Doug Speck said.

Speck said the most anticipated event is the boys’ 100 meters, with Pat Johnson of Redlands and Bryan Howard of Moreno Valley Canyon Springs heading a strong field.

Howard is the defending State champion in the 100 and the runner-up in the 200, but he was upset by newcomer Johnson in both races at the Inland Empire Championships two weeks ago. Johnson’s times of 10.42 in the 100 and 20.70 in the 200 lead the nation this season.

The girls’ sprints should also be close, between Long Beach Poly juniors Andrea Anderson and Aninah Haddad.