MT. SAC RELAYS: N.D. SPRINTER GETS 1ST BIG 100 VICTORY JUNIOR EYEING STATE TITLE AFTER STRONG SHOWING.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

WALNUT - Rodney Glass sprinted his way on to the list of state-title contenders in the 100 meters Saturday, winning at the Mt. SAC Relays.

It was the first victory at a big invitational for the Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks junior, who won in a wind-aided 10.66 seconds.

Glass more than made up for a disappointing fourth-place finish last week at the Arcadia Invitational.

``Last week didn't go as planned,'' Glass said. ``I felt I could have run harder, and that gave me something to prove in this race.''

Glass beat a strong field that included state finalist Randle Harris from Crespi of Encino (sixth) and Notre Dame teammate Cary Harris (fourth). But the race was lacking Taft of Woodland Hills standout Jamere Holland, who won the Arcadia race last week and has the best time in the nation this year.

``I was hoping Jamere would be here,'' Glass said. ``I was disappointed in that. I wanted that challenge, and now I won't get it until the state meet. I don't have a challenge in the Southern Section.''

Glass's teammate, Garrett Green, had an impressive third-place finish in the 110 hurdles in 14.32. With Glass, Green and Harris running legs, Notre Dame also did well in the relays with second place in the 800 and third in the 400.

Elizabeth Olear had a great start out of the blocks in the 200 meters. She finally looked like the runner who finished third in the state two years ago as a freshman. However, the Louisville of Woodland Hills sprinter faded in the final 20 meters to finish second in 24.23.

Olear could not respond when Tiana Hood of Long Beach Wilson came up on her from behind.

``I was very focused at the beginning to get out strong,'' Olear said. ``But when I saw her catching me, I lost focus. I started thinking about her instead of what I was doing. Once you shift your focus, it's too late. It's a good learning experience for the future.''

Olear had a setback three weeks ago when she tweaked the hamstring that hampered her last season as a sophomore. As a result, she is not in the shape she hoped to be.

``Her stamina is not there yet,'' Louisville coach Lawrence Webster said. ``The first 180 meters she looked really strong. The stamina will come.''

Olear's time was her best this season but well off the 23.71 she ran at state as a freshman. She hoped to break 24 seconds.

--Jones is back: Marion Jones is set to open her season today by running the 400 meters. The Thousand Oaks High graduate, who won three gold medals and two bronzes in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, will be competing for the first time since last year's Athens Games, where she failed to win a medal.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com