Mercury News | 05/19/2002 | Valley Christian runner easily wins 200 heat

In his 200-meter heat Saturday at San Jose City College, Valley Christian's Rubin Williams burst out of the blocks, came shooting out of the turn like a rocket and raced to the tape all alone.

Williams' wind-aided time of 21.32 seconds was the most dominating male performance of the day at the Central Coast Section track and field semifinals. In addition to posting the section's top time in the 200, he was the fastest in the 100 (10.62) and helped the Warriors qualify for next weekend's CCS finals in the 4x100 relay.

In his last race of the day, the 4x400 relay, Williams showed his strength and determination. When the senior took the baton for his anchor leg, the Warriors were in last. But Williams passed all of his opponents except for Bellarmine, and his unofficial split of 49.2 seconds helped give his team the last qualifying spot.

As a junior, Williams finished second in the CCS in the 200 and competed in the 400. But this year, under new Coach Scott Evans, Williams is concentrating on the 200 and the 100. He entered the day with the fourth-best state time in each event and ranks eighth and 10th in the nation, respectively.

The efforts have helped him to be recruited by some of the top sprint schools in the nation, Evans said.

``Rubin is right where we want him to be in our training plan,'' the coach said. ``He's been to the state meet before, but he's never been prepared like this. He's worked on his strength, his technique, and he's improved his knowledge of what track is all about.

``He's been a real leader for us, and I think the next couple weeks could be very special for him.''

In the girls competition, Sacred Heart Cathedral's Shannon Rowbury pulled off a double with victories in the 800 (2 minutes, 14.6 seconds) and 1600 (4:58.57). The defending state champion in the 800, Rowbury is ready to renew her rivalry with Los Gatos' Ashley Caldwell, who had the second-best time in the 1600 (4:58.80). Caldwell's teammate Carolyn Penner placed second in the 800, running a 2:15.29.

Rowbury, who will run at Duke next year, said she plans to run the 800 and 1600 next week; Caldwell, who finished second in the CCS in the 800 last year, hasn't made a decision. Either way, they know they will get up close and personal Friday at San Jose City College.

``Ashley is really sweet and a good friend, but once we're on the track I guess you could say we're rivals,'' Rowbury said. ``We'll get out all our aggressions on the track and then leave it there.''

Wilcox's Christina Hardeman also won two events, triumphing in the 200 and 400 with CCS-best times of 24.89 and 55.32 seconds.

``It was another great performance by Christina,'' Wilcox Coach Walt Van Zant said. ``It seems like she is peaking at the right time, just like she did last year when she won CCS titles in both events. The way she looked today, I'd have to say she has a great chance to do it again.''

In the boys field events, Mills' Adam Tafralis recorded a personal record in the shot put: 61 feet, 3 3/4 inches, the third-best throw in the state this year. Tafralis also qualified in the discus, the event in which he won the CCS title last year, finishing third with a mark of 172-4.

But the throw of the day belonged to Los Gatos' Nik Kay, who unleashed a personal-best 196-01 -- the second-best in the state and fifth-best in the nation this year.