MENTU MAY MISS PRELIMS WITH INJURY; A.V. STAR HAD LOOKED SHARP.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Mentu Daniel of Antelope Valley High, who entered the track season as the No. 2-ranked 400-meter runner in the state, might miss the Southern Section Division I prelims at Long Beach City College today because of a recurring hamstring injury.

Daniel, a senior two-time Golden League champion, did not run in the prelims last year as the result of academic problems. This year, he never approached his personal-best of 47.2 seconds, winning the league final in 49.3 eight days ago.

Daniel was back in peak form in practice this week and then re-injured his leg on Wednesday, according to school track coach Chris Broskoff.

``I don't know what is going to happen,'' Broskoff said. ``His recovery had seemed pretty good until Wednesday. But Mentu knows his body, and he didn't run (Thursday) or (Friday). We'll just have to see.''

Otherwise, it has been an up year for Antelope Valley-area high school track and field.

Several local athletes are expected to advance - the top nine finishers qualify - to the Southern Section finals on May 22 at Cerritos College.

Rosanna Kirkendall of Lancaster (1,600) and Jameka Taylor of Littlerock (long jump and triple jump) all qualified at last year's prelims.

Jerrick Holmes of Palmdale (high jump), Rodney Woods of Littlerock (triple jump), Marcus Raines of Littlerock (110 and 300 hurdles), Travis Morris of Palmdale (100 meters), Palmdale's Kaysie Burnett (100 meters), and Kassandra Harrell of Quartz Hill (shot put) also have a good shot.

Kirkendall, a junior, was the Golden League's only three-event champion, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. The 1,600 is considered her best event - she won by eight seconds in the Golden League final. After dropping basketball this season to focus on track, she has improved markedly in all three races.

Taylor, a senior, has an outside chance to qualify in the 200 after surprising returning champion Burnett in the Golden League final. Also one of Southern California's best girls' basketball players, she is a terrific all-around athlete. Look for her to qualify in at least two events.

Holmes, a junior, until recently held the best high-jump mark in the state at 6-10; he now ranks No. 2. He also has jumped 6-8 but managed just 6-4 to win the Golden League championship. Dismissed from the track team for personal reasons before the league finals a year ago, Holmes is on the brink of a major comeback. No one has a better chance to reach the state final.

Woods, a junior All-Southern Section football player, was injured last year before the prelims, a disappointment considering he was ranked No. 2. This season, his best of 47-7 (wind-aided) is among the best in the state, and his legal best of 46-6 is third best in the region.

Raines, a sophomore, is peaking at the right time; his marks of 14.4 in the 100 and 40.1 in the 300 at the league finals might have improved if he had closer competition. No Golden League hurdler has beaten Raines in two years.

Morris, a junior, started the season as an unknown, but his 10.5 wind-aided time in the 100 at the finals was state-final quality. It will be interesting to see how he does without wind. Meanwhile, Woods was right behind Morris at 10.6.

Burnett, a senior, won the Golden League 100 and 200 a year ago and the 100 this year. Harrell beat everyone in the Golden League but faces a higher level of competition today.

TRACK PRELIMS

SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION I PRELIMINARIES

Top nine finishers advance

When: noon, today

Where: Long Beach City College

Who: Top three finishers in each event in Golden League championships are among the entries

Among those to watch: Girls - Jameka Taylor of Littlerock (long jump, triple jump), Rosanna Kirkendall of Lancaster (1,600), Kaysie Burnett of Palmdale (100) and Kassandra Harrell of Quartz Hill (shot put). Boys - Jerrick Holmes of Palmdale (high jump), Rodney Woods of Littlerock (triple jump), Marcus Raines of Littlerock (110 and 300 hurdles) and Travis Morris of Palmdale (100).

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Jameka Taylor of Littlerock is expected to advance to the Southern Section finals in the long jump and triple jump.

Tom Mendoza/Daily News

BOX: TRACK PRELIMS (see text)