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Will Faules walked onto the San Jose City College track last Friday with a huge target on his back. The defending Central Coast Section champion in the 300-meter hurdles held the fastest qualifying time in the 110 hurdles and second-fastest time in the 300 hurdles going into Friday night's finals.
As the booming voice on the loudspeaker ran down Faules' accomplishments prior to the start of his first race, the 110 hurdles, one had to wonder how the Homestead senior would perform under such pressure.
"That was the most nervous I'd been the whole year," said Faules. "But as soon as the gun went off, everything went away. It felt awesome."
Showing no sign of nerves, Faules exploded out of the blocks and sustained his early lead to run away with the victory in 14.61.
But Faules was only halfway done with his night. An hour later, he earned his second CCS title by again getting an early lead and holding off his competitors to win the 300 hurdles in 38.75.
"It wasn't my best race, technically," said Faules, "but the time shows I still ran hard. I hit the first hurdle, and for a lot guys I think that would throw them completely off their race."
But not Faules—nothing has proven to throw him off.
Faules will be joined in next week's state meet in Norwalk by teammate Brittney Reynolds, who finished third in the long jump with a mark of 18-2. Reynolds also finished third in last year's CCS meet, but this year she plans to take a different approach to next week.
"Last year I was so excited," said Reynolds. "I didn't care if I got dead-last. This year I am looking to do better."
Homestead's other CCS qualifier, Eddie Sumpter, ran 22.73 to finish eighth in the 200.
Fremont
Matt Barkley continued his fine season for the Firebirds by placing third in the shot put with a personal-best mark of 55-1.5. The junior thrower grabbed the final qualifying spot for next week's state meet.
"I told Matt you have to think past your goal," said throwing coach Roland Baza. "You can't just try to place because you won't make it. You have to try to win, and then you will place."
Baza's words rang true when Barkley moved within 1/4-inch of first place with his throw of 55-1.5 early in the competition. And despite producing four shorter throws, Barkley's early mark still earned him a third place.
"My 55-1.5 felt good, but I felt I had more in me," said Barkley. "I have some things I need to fix for next week, like moving from third to first."
Kelly Bushnell threw the discus 107-9 to finish eighth.
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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer