Guidry gets off to fast start

BY MARK GOMEZ
Mercury News

Antwon Guidry has proven he is the fastest sprinter in the Central Coast Section. Now Guidry, who has never lost a race to an opponent from the CCS, is looking to prove more.

The Leigh senior ran impressive times in the 100 and 200 meters at the Central Coast Section semifinals Saturday at Los Gatos High, improving his section-best marks in both. More important, Guidry's times rank near the top of the state-leader list, perhaps signaling he is ready to contend for a medal at the state championships in two weeks. The CCS finals are Friday at Los Gatos.

``I was hoping to come out and set the standard for the CCS finals,'' Guidry said. ``This year I think I can qualify for the state finals and place. I want it really bad. I'm striving for it.''

Guidry's time of 10.56 on Saturday in the 100 is third-best in California; his 21.43 in the 200 ranks him sixth. He easily won his heat in the 100 but was pressed in the 200, pulling away from Valley Christian's Rubin Williams in the final 40 meters. Los Gatos' Brian Edwards, who had the top qualifying time in the 400, finished third in Guidry's heat.

Guidry is not the only athlete attempting to win consecutive titles at the CCS championships. There are eight in all, three of whom -- Sacred Heart Cathedral's Shannon Rowbury (800), San Lorenzo Valley's Alejandra Barrientos (1,600) and Mt. Pleasant's Undine Becker (300 hurdles) -- are aiming for a third title.

Rowbury, who owns the nation's leading mark in the 800 (2:08.52), qualified on Saturday in 2:12.37. Barrientos has the top qualifying time in the 1,600 with a 4:56.15.

Becker qualified in four events, earning some cheers from the crowd with eye-opening marks in the triple jump. After leaping 39 feet, 6 inches, she soared 39-10 to give her the third-best mark in the state. She also improved on her section-leading time in the 100 hurdles (13.85) and had the top qualifying time in the 300 hurdles. Becker also qualified in the long jump.

Hollister's Elzunia Wojcicka, the state leader in the long jump (20-7 1/4), also qualified in four events. But Wojcicka's events took place one after the other under the scorching, early afternoon sun.

``Today was kind of hectic, because I didn't do well in the long jump,'' said Wojcicka, who qualified third with 17-8 3/4. ``I had to do the long jump and 4x100 at the same time. It's kind of difficult.''

The remaining athletes seeking back-to-back titles are St. Ignatius' Jenna Grimaldi (high jump), Soquel's Chelsea Connolly (pole vault) and Los Gatos' Matt Bates (800).