TRACK NOTEBOOK: A.V. STAR GETS SERIOUS.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Andre Crenshaw wouldn't let anything stand in his way of a Golden League title and postseason future this year.

A superb season in which the Antelope Valley High sophomore has emerged as a state contender in the long jump has made him reassess his priorities.

Track is now a competition instead of just for fun. Crenshaw was all business Saturday in winning the long jump title at 23 feet, 4 inches, and upsetting Highland's Danny Leopold to win the triple jump.

Last year, Crenshaw missed the postseason after spraining his ankle playing basketball before the Golden League prelims. Crenshaw also is the starting point guard for the school's basketball team.

``It means more because of what happened last year,'' Crenshaw said. ``My basketball team is out there playing in a spring league right now, and I could be playing with them but I made the choice not to.''

Crenshaw advances to the Southern Section prelims May 15 in Trabuco Hills. If he continues jumping the way he has all season, he figures to make the state finals.

``I'm not even sure how far I can really go,'' Crenshaw said. ``It's a relief to get past league. I think anything can happen in the long jump.''

--Add jumps: Other winners from Saturday's jump portion of the Golden League finals were two Highland record breakers. Ayisha Noel set the school record with a personal best 18-0 to win the long jump. Teammate Mika Hogains added more than a foot and a half to her triple jump school record, increasing it to 36- 1/4.

The surprise of the meet was Quartz Hill freshman Andre Wright, who went 22-1 1/4 to finish second to Crenshaw and advance to the Southern Section prelims.

--Sprint lovers: As the Golden League finals continue today at Antelope Valley College with the remaining running and field events, all eyes will be on Lancaster sprinter Kelvin Love.

Last year at this time, Love was winning the junior varsity league titles in the 100 and 200 meters. Now Love is the heavy varsity favorite in the events, and figures to advance deep in the postseason.

Love was the rare senior to come out of nowhere and shock the track community by running the fastest 100 in the state and second-fastest 200 at the Mt. SAC Invitational last month.

He was forced to run junior varsity last season because of transfer rules after leaving his dad's home in Texas to live with his mom in Lancaster.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com