HE'S RUN INTO NOTHING BUT INJURIES\Dameworth's college career suffered, but health has returned.

Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer

He left town with a national high school cross country championship, four state titles and so much promise.

But after a college career scuttled by injuries, former Agoura High running star Bryan Dameworth enters Saturday's L.A. Invitational Track Meet still waiting to stride into national prominence.

"I think there is a lot more in the future for Bryan," said University of Wisconsin cross country and track coach Martin Smith. "Because of the setbacks he had in college, he was prevented from evolving to the level I think the future holds for him."

Setbacks? Did someone say setbacks?

Dameworth's tenure at Wisconsin was a near disaster of setbacks.

When he reported there for his freshman season in the fall of 1990, he had three straight state cross country titles in his possession along with a state 3,200 (yards) title and the 1989 Kinney national cross country crown.

He also had a stress fracture in his foot that cost him his first season.

"I went in with a few injuries, and that set the stage for my whole career," said Dameworth, who will compete in the men's 3,000 meters Saturday.

Indeed, over his college years, Dameworth was plagued by a chorus line of injuries.

There were too many stress fractures, muscle pulls and other nagging injuries to count.

Then, just before the beginning of his junior year, a twisted intestine sent him into excruciating pain and to the hospital.

"I had to have major abdominal surgery," Dameworth said. "Obviously, that's a real big setback to your body."

Dameworth missed the entire cross country season that year but was beginning to get back in shape for track when injury struck again.

"I had started running well again and things were looking great," he said. "And then my back went out. That set me back another couple of months."

As the breakdowns came and went, Dameworth began to lose his racing edge.

"I began to lose my confidence," he said. "I just had to take so much time off, I wasn't sure if I could come back and compete at that level."

There was some success.

In 1994, he finished second in the 5,000 meters at the Big Ten indoor meet and was fourth at 3,000 meters.

But mostly there was disappointment.

He finished his college eligibility last fall.

"He never did reach his aspirations (at Wisconsin)," said Dameworth's stepfather and Agoura High School coach Bill Duley. "It was just one thing after another."

Dameworth has not given up.

"I don't know what I'm doing still doing this," said Dameworth, who is now 25. "I think I'm just stubborn."

Duley and Dameworth are teaming up again to give Dameworth another chance at reaching his potential. The L.A. Invitational is first of a string of meets they plan to enter.

This year's goal is make the Olympic Trials in either 5,000 meters or the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

And so far, Dameworth's health remains sound.

"I'm on top of my game right now and I'm feeling pretty good," he said. "I'm excited and I'm anxious to see what I can do in a race."

Saturday night we'll all find out.

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Photo Bryan Dameworth says he's healthy - at last - and ready for Saturday night's indoor meet. Evan Yee / Daily News