BOYS RODNEY GLASS SENIOR, NOTRE DAME.

Byline: STORIES BY ERIK BOAL SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS

Rodney Glass never expected to make the Notre Dame faithful forget about two-sport standouts Justin Fargas and Cary Harris.

Not after playing freshman/sophomore and junior varsity football his first two years for the Knights of Sherman Oaks, and not after running the 100-meter dash in 11.8 seconds as a ninth-grader.

When Glass graduated June 3, everybody at the ceremony knew they were in the company of greatness.

Glass, at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, might not match up in the size or strength categories with USC's Harris (6-1, 180) or the Oakland Raiders' Fargas (6-1, 220), but the magnitude of what he accomplished on the track and football field during his senior year cast a shadow over even the best performances put forth by his talented predecessors.

Whether it was breaking Fargas' school records for yards per carry or the fastest 100 time on his way to winning a state title, or emerging from his role as Harris' understudy to rush for more than 2,000yards and lead the Knights to a fourth consecutive Southern Section Div. III championship game, Glass firmly cemented his legacy in Notre Dame's rich athletic history.

It is those accomplishments, among a list of many outstanding achievements, that made Glass the Daily News' Boys' Athlete of the Year.

``I've put in a lot of work for this time,'' said Glass, who is leaving today to begin classes at Arizona State before the start of football practice. ``But it has a lot to do with how my coaches and teammates have pushed me.''

Although Notre Dame football coach and Athletic Director Kevin Rooney and track coach and defensive coordinator Joe McNab have played a large role in helping him develop his skills over the past four years, it was Glass' exceptional work ethic and personal drive during his senior campaign that elevated his talents to another level.

``He's just an exceptional young man,'' Rooney said. ``He's so humble, and that's what makes him such a pleasure to coach.''

Said McNab: ``Everyone wants to do well and have personal goals, but we try to do what's best for the team and he's a good example of that.''

After gaining 1,326 yards with an impressive 11.2 yards-per-carry average as a junior, Glass rushed for 2,113yards and scored 34touchdowns in the fall to receive All-Southern Section football honors, helping the Knights extend their winning streak to 35 games before losing in the Div. III final to Dominguez of Compton.

In Glass' two full varsity seasons, Notre Dame went 27-1.

As disappointing an ending as Glass endured in his prep football career, the conclusion of his final high school track season was equally as exhilarating.

After clocking 10.32 seconds, the fastest wind-legal time in the nation, May 4 at the Mission League finals -- the last time he would compete on the Notre Dame track -- to best Fargas' program-record of 10.37, Glass went on to win Div.III titles in the 100 and 200 two weeks later at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

He also contributed to victories in the 400 and 1,600 relays, leading the Knights to the team championship.

``More than individual goals, winning the division team title is something I (had been) shooting for since the season started,'' Glass said.

``I (was) glad to accomplish that goal.''

Following a victory in the 100 at the Masters meet

May 26, Glass finally got his long-awaited rematch with rival Jamere Holland of Taft of Woodland Hills.

Holland was the defending state champion in the 100, but had been slowed by left hamstring problems for the latter part of the season after running a state-leading 10.36 to defeat Glass by 0.12seconds April 9 at the Arcadia Invitational.

``I hate to lose,'' said Glass, who ran 10.43 to finish second at last year's state meet. ``It's in my blood. Both my parents are really competitive, too. They instilled in me at a young age that it's not OK to accept losing.''

After playing second-fiddle to Holland since their Pop Warner football days, Glass finally secured a victory over the USC-bound standout at the June 3 state final, 10:52 to 10:59.

He also ran a leg on Notre Dame's state-champion 400 relay team (41.27).

``You have to appreciate winning championships because every one is hard to get,'' Glass said. ``Anything can happen along the way.''

Matthew Kredell and Ramona Shelburne contributed.

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Photo:

(color) Rodney Glass was a track and football star at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, and Bridget Ballard excelled in four sports at Harvard-Westlake of Studio City.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

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