Santa Margarita’s Shanklin Turns Up Heat in the Hurdles

Much like the rest of Southern California, Santa Margarita senior Amanda Shanklin was glad to see the temperatures finally begin to rise Saturday.

Shanklin won the 300 hurdles at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays, running the third-fastest time in the nation this season (43.41). Only Tereal Lurry of West Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Lakes (42.13) and Long Beach Poly’s Detra King (43.32) have run better times.

“I knew this weather would help me out a lot because my legs would be real loose,” Shanklin said. “[The Sea View League meet against Newport Harbor] this past Thursday was warm, but in league meets I don’t confront my competition. Today was ideal and this track is beautiful and there’s fans. It’s great.”

Shanklin wasn’t too thrilled before the race, when she drew the unenviable task of running on the outside in Lane 8. Shanklin said she’s more confident running in the middle lanes, where she can keep better track of her competition.

“I tried not to focus on it too much, but it really did not make me happy,” Shanklin said. “It’s mostly psychological. It’s the same distance and everything, it’s just everyone’s always told me my whole life, ‘Don’t run on the outside. You only want to be in the middle.’ ”

Shanklin led the pack to the first hurdle and maintained a sizable lead coming out of the turn. North Hollywood Harvard Westlake’s Becky Raush made up some ground over the last 50 meters, and nearly caught Shanklin at the finish line, finishing second in 43.49.

“The last 50 is always my struggling point,” Shanklin said. “The main thing was to get out as hard as I can because I really like going over the first hurdle first, and then at the 150 [mark], I just tried to maintain it.”

The 300 hurdles also provided the top county performance from a boys’ athlete. Kennedy senior Ahmed Wright led from start to finish to win the event in a county-leading 38.15. Simeon Rogers of Victor Valley was second (38.93).

Wright, whose previous best mark was 38.58, said he’s benefiting from a new strength program that’s improved his stamina over the last 100 meters.

“I started off the season in shape and my times have just been steadily dropping the way I’ve been wanting them to,” Wright said. “It’s been a good season so far. I started training a lot earlier this season, more serious training.”

Other county champions included Corona del Mar junior Liz Morse, who ran a personal-best and county-leading 2:13.29 to win the 800.

Mission Viejo sophomore Dana Bethel eclipsed her personal best, winning the 100 hurdles in 14.24. Bethel also took second in the long jump (18-2 1/4).

Edison’s Jimmy Thorson, Darin Pope, Ben Ogawa and Darryl Poston finished second in the 400 relay (42.40), breaking a 19-year-old school (42.74) record in the process.

Logan Odden of Marina was also a noteworthy runner-up. Odden cleared a county-best 15-7 in the pole vault, which equaled the winning mark by Jason Lueck of San Francisco St. Ignacius. Lueck was awarded first place because he had fewer attempts at that height.