TRACK AND FIELD / ARCADIA INVITATIONAL : Stafford Rallies in 100 Meters

One of the fastest high school fields assembled in the boys’ 100 meters provided plenty of theatrics Saturday night at the Arcadia/Foot Locker Invitational.

Running before 6,000 at Arcadia High, Bryan Howard of Moreno Valley Canyon Springs and Pat Johnson of Redlands gained a quick lead and appeared to be running away from the field. But with 15 meters remaining, Jermaine Stafford of Rochester (N.Y.) Franklin came from behind to win.

Stafford’s time of 10.46 seconds is the nation’s second fastest prep time this season, trailing Johnson’s 10.42 recorded in a meet at UC Riverside two weeks ago. Howard, the defending State champion in the 100, was second in 10.55 and Johnson third in 10.57.

“I was so nervous before the race that I feared I might not run well,” said Howard, nursing a hip injury. “I just wanted to get out and lead from start to finish. Jermaine came out of nowhere, but I knew he was capable of it.”

Johnson, a football player-turned-sprinter participating in his 17th race, said he thought he would win.

“Bryan and I were neck and neck the whole way,” he said. “Just before we got to the finish line, I saw this guy flash by us. I couldn’t believe it.”

The three sprinters were expected to continue their battle in the 200 later in the evening, but Stafford pulled out with a sore hamstring and Howard scratched because of his hip. That opened the door for Johnson, who won in 21.18.

“I was looking forward to another battle, but I’ll take the win,” Johnson said.

Howard and Johnson will face each other again this weekend at the Mt. San Antonio Relays.

Ken Haslip of Pasadena Muir turned in one of the evening’s best performances, winning the 110-high hurdles and 300 hurdles in times of 13.98 and 36.94, respectively. He has the nation’s fastest times in both events this season.

Haslip also ran legs on Muir’s winning 400 and 1,600 relays, earning him the boy athlete of the meet.

Sophomore Michael Granville of Bell Gardens recorded the nation’s fastest time in the 800 with a 1:51.90.

Andrea Anderson of Long Beach Poly, a junior, further established herself as one of the leading sprinters with easy victories in the 100 and 200. Her times of 11.57 and 23.48 are the nation’s fastest this season.

Suzy Powell of Modesto Downey set a national record with a throw of 178 feet 8 inches, breaking the mark of 176-10 set by Melisa Weis of Bakersfield in 1990. Powell was the top girl athlete of the meet.