Track and field: Here’s a flash, Gordon can throw the discus too

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I had no idea Drew Gordon of San Jose Mitty threw the discus, and he’s good. Gordon, who is headed to UCLA on a basketball scholarship later this year, qualifed fourth in the event with a sling of 180 feet 2 inches at the CIF state preliminaries Friday at Cerritos College. Gordon, who is 6 feet 9 inches, came into the event ranked eighth in the state.

The No. 2 qualifer was somebody who’s also better known in another sport, Orange Lutheran senior Blake Ayles, who signed to play football at USC.

No such surprises in the girls’ 100 hurdles, but a few in the boy’s 110 hurdles.

Dominguez sophomore Leon Dillihunt defeated state leader Joey Hughes of Long Beach Poly in one of three heats. Dillihunt’s time of 47.09 moves him into No. 2 in the state behind Hughes’ best of 46.97, which he established n April at the Arcadia Invitational. Hughes finished second to Dillihunt in 47.23. Let’s hope he’s just saving himself for the 200.

As far as the non-qualifiers, Carson’s Jonathan Byrd came in ranked No. 5 in the state with a time of 47.43, but he finished fifth in his heat in 49.22 and failed to advance to Saturday’s final.

Another freshman on the girls’ side who’s already making a name for herself is Valexsia Droughn of Rio Mesa, who defeated St. Mary’s senior Yasmin Woodruff in the third and final heat of the 100s. Droughn’s time of 11.77 was No. 1 among the qualifiers.

In the boys’ 100 meters, Charles Saseun of Rancho Cucamonga has been losing to Randall Carroll of Cathedral all season, but beat him in the first of three heats. Saseun, second in the state last season, one spot ahead of Carroll, recorded the fastest win-legal time in the state this season by winning in 10.45, followed by Carroll in 10.48.

--Dan Arritt

Note: For up-to-the-minute results of the state meet, check here.