Long Beach Poly's Ariana Washington goes for gold

CLOVIS, Calif. — Long Beach Poly's Ariana Washington knows it isn't going to be easy and she couldn't be happier.

The sophomore speedster, who thrives on competition, opened the season with lofty goals of setting school records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. In order to do that she'll have to run faster than 11.35 in the 100 and 22.82 in the 200 in today's California State Track and Field Championships at Clovis High.

"I know I'll have to run 11.35 and 22.82," said Washington who came into the meet as the one to beat in the two sprint races and yet found herself standing in third place. "When I run, I use my peripheral vision and if I don't see anyone, I don't run as hard. I know there will be plenty of competition, so the times will be fast."

Running in 100-plus degree temperatures with virtually no wind, Washington posted times of 11.69 and 23.79 in Friday's trials.



The 100 leader was Jasmine Gibbs, an unsung senior out of El Camino (Oceanside) who stunned everyone including herself when she clocked the No. 3 time in the nation and a state-leading 11.43.

Washington was impressed — sort of.

"She had competition—I didn't," said a suddenly very serious Washington who clearly did not relish the idea of suddenly finding herself behind Gibbs, who broke the San Diego Section record of 11.51 set by three-time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers (Sweetwater, Calif.) in 1984.

"My start will be the key in the finals. I need a good start and a strong finish. I know there are seniors who really want to beat me and if I don't win, I'm not going to sit and cry. I'm only a sophomore; I have two more years."

As for the 200, it's an entirely different story.

"That's my favorite event," admits the 15-year-old whose best this year is 23.52—faster than the 23.57 posted by Serra (Gardena, Calif.) senior Alexis Faulknor yesterday. "It's the race I've worked the hardest on."



She'll also anchor the Jackrabbit 4x100 relay team that qualified third at 46.56 behind Serra at 46.01 and St. Mary's Academy (Inglewood, Calif.) at 46.53.

"Our handoff were extremely careful," said the Poly star. "Just wait."

Washington fully expected to be added to the 4x400 relay team but Poly was disqualified.

The fact that the Jackrabbits are still among the favorites to win their fifth straight team title and 13th overall says a lot about the program.

"We lost a lot of seniors when we were No. 1 last year," said Washington, who quickly filled the void in the sprints, her pink racing shoes quickly becoming her trademark. "We want to keep the program No. 1—it's the place everyone wants to be."

Part of the reason is Poly goes to the Penn Relays every year and with their success, it's almost assured there is a lengthy post-season. Washington, for example, will run the Dream 100 in New York next week and then the Junior Nationals in Indiana the week after.



But first she has a date with a few pretty quick runners on a hot track in Clovis.

For complete results from first day of trials, CLICK HERE.