AREA'S TRACK TALENT IS ALL IN THE SPRINTS SPEEDY SUCCESS EXPECTED FROM SEVERAL TEAMS.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer Life after Allyson Felix Allyson Felix (born November 18, 1985 in Los Angeles, California) is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for the United States in the 200 meters. Felix, born and raised in southern California, is also a devout Christian and is the daughter of an ordained didn't turn out to be too bad for area track and field. With the five-time state champion from L.A. Baptist of North Hills pursuing Olympic glory, a high period for area track seemed to have ended. It was in doubt whether area athletes would win any state titles. Then three champions emerged to defeat higher seeds in their final race. Though none produced the national buzz of Felix, they all had their own compelling stories. Another crop of top-flight athletes is beginning the track and field season with the goal of winning in Sacramento. After a year with three distance champions, the area focus is turning back to Felix's favorite - the sprints. ``It's always great to see San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. athletes among the top sprinters,'' said Louisville of Woodland Hills coach Lawrence Webster, who has one of the best in Elizabeth Olear. ``Sprints command more excitement than any other events.'' Olear, pegged as the one who would take the torch from Felix when she was a freshman and Felix a senior, had a disappointing sophomore season plagued with hamstring hamstring /ham·string/ (ham´string) one of the tendons bounding the popliteal space laterally and medially. inner hamstring the tendons of gracilis, sartorius, and two other muscles of the leg. problems. After taking time to rest and then working to strengthen her hamstring to avoid future injury, Olear hopes to pick up where she left off as a freshman, when she had better times than Felix had put up at that stage. ``I'm healthy and just need to get back to where I was mentally before the injury,'' Olear said. ``The other day I started sprinting all out and thinking in my head, 'Oh no, is it going to pull again?' '' Before the injury, I never thought about that. But I have to push it out of my mind in order to do well.'' The girls' sprints are wide open this year and Olear has as good a chance as anyone to emerge. She has the most natural talent. ``I want to take state in the 200,'' Olear said. ``If I stay healthy and work hard, I think it's realistic.'' Lindsay Fletcher from Flintridge Prep of La Canada emerged as the area's top 200 runner after Olear's injury last season and has the potential to join her in the state finals, should she choose to run. Fletcher - who has signed to play volleyball at the University of Miami This article is about the university in Coral Gables, Florida. For the university in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University. The University of Miami (also known as Miami of Florida,[2] UM,[3] or just The U (Fla.) - and senior teammate Coco Kleinert, who has signed to play soccer at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , are both not on the Rebels' roster at this time after complaining of fatigue, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Flintridge Prep sprint coach Josh Moran. Kandi Bonty from Monroe of North Hills is the rare City Section girl sprinter to make it that far, placing eighth in the 100 last year. The boys' side is deeper in sprints than it has been for years. Randle Harris from Crespi of Encino, Rodney Glass and teammate Cary Harris from Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and Jamere Holland from Taft of Woodland Hills could form a strong Valley contingent in the short sprints at the state meet. Randle Harris made it to the state finals last season, placing sixth in the 100 meters. ``There's higher expectations this year,'' Glass said. ``I think there will be a lot more excitement if a lot of us make it further. To face top competition within our area, before we get to Masters and state, can only help.'' The other event to keep an eye on to watch. - Shak. See also: Eye is the long jump, the only individual event to have two area athletes finish in the top seven last season. Rex Bridgeforth from Rio Mesa, who finished seventh in the state, is recovering from a broken ankle suffered in football. The ankle is healthy but Bridgeforth is still trying to get in shape after spending so much time rehabilitating. He should be able to catch up by midseason. Bridgeforth's teammate, Lauren Reid, isn't so lucky. The best female long jumper in the area likely won't jump this season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament anterior cruciate ligament n. Abbr. ACL The cruciate ligament of the knee that crosses from the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the posterior part of the lateral condyle of the femur. injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. in volleyball. If the junior does return, it will be toward the end of the season and only to run. Andre Crenshaw cren·shaw also cran·shaw n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] from Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley is the highest returning finisher in the area, placing second in the state. Yet, last year every big meet was new to him. He enters this season as an experienced and confident junior. ``All the stuff I went through last year and then in football, I'm used to being in big roles now,'' Crenshaw said. ``Last year I was just happy to make it to the big meets. Now it's about business. I'm going in to get first place.'' Matthew Kredell, (818) 713-3607 matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Antelope Valley High's Andre Crenshaw is among a slew of strong athletes in the sprints. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer Box: ATHLETES TO WATCH |
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