TRACK NOTEBOOK: SPRINTER HOPES TO GET BACK IN FAST LANE.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

A hip injury and academic troubles have derailed the track season for Canyon's Daunte Davis, the Foothill League champion in the 100 meters last year as a sophomore.

Davis' hip, which has kept him out of action for the past month, is improving to the point that he has jogged and long-jumped in practice. He is almost ready to return but will have to wait until he proves to his parents that he has taken care of a failing grade in an Earth Science class.

``It's very disappointing because I was in such good shape at the beginning of the season,'' Davis said. ``I was trying to be more serious about track this year. I dropped my 200 times down and started long-jumping 22 feet. I swear I had a 10.4 or 10.5 in me.''

Davis hopes to get his parents' approval to compete at the Foothill League prelims Tuesday, his only chance to prolong the season.

Even if he does compete, it will be a tall order to get in good enough shape to defend his 100-meter title, considering the way Canyon teammate Paul Ned has run. Ned was hand-timed in a wind-aided 10.4 seconds last week in a dual meet against Valencia.

Davis would have a chance in the 100 meters and the long jump. He isn't interested in just qualifying for the Southern Section prelims.

``Physically, I think I can run right now,'' Davis said. ``I think I can be in decent shape to beat Paul because he hardly works out. He works out like twice a week.''

This will be Davis' last season at Canyon. His family is moving to San Bernardino, and he plans to attend A.B. Miller High of Fontana next year.

--Pain-free: Last week against Canyon, Valencia put all its faith in an athlete who didn't know if she could trust her body.

Laura Gingrich pulled out early the past two meets because of soreness in her back. With the meet on the line in the 1,600-meter relay, Gingrich ignored her back pain and chased down a runner in the final 10 meters of the anchor leg to give Valencia its first girls' track and field victory over Canyon.

``I had just run the 200 and it was pretty painful,'' Gingrich said. ``Mentally, I was down. But all my coaches were really behind me. They told me I was a warrior. The coaches were gambling on me, knowing if they put me on the spot that I would rise to the occasion. So I went out there and the adrenaline kept me going.

``After I crossed the finish line and slowed down, I got really stiff and with every step pain shot up my back. But it was worth it.''

Gingrich found out early in the season that a hyperextended hip from the seventh grade hadn't healed correctly, and her left leg was shorter than her right. A doctor rotated her hip back and gave her an uncomfortable insole to wear in her left shoe to balance things out. They caused her back problems, but the sophomore has tried to battle through them.

Gingrich's heroics helped Valencia win 69-67. It was Canyon's third consecutive dual meet loss after winning 64 dual meets in a row.

--Boys' winners: Canyon's 79-57 victory over Valencia gave the Cowboys their fourth consecutive league title.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com