Off to a Fast Start : As a Freshman, Granville Has Talent to Have an Impact on State Track

On a bumpy grass field bordered by Bell Gardens Elementary School on one side and the Long Beach Freeway on the other, Michael Granville Jr. spends most afternoons training for a chance to become the state’s top high school track athlete.

His father and coach, Michael Granville Sr., has to talk loud when traffic gets heavy on the freeway. And on days when local youth baseball or soccer teams are using the field, the Granvilles have to look for an open patch of grass.

“There is nothing glamorous about the workout facility,” the senior Granville says, laughing. “But it sure makes my son appreciate a nice track when he gets on one. I don’t want him to get spoiled.”

Michael Jr., 15, has run on the grass field for the last two years and probably will continue to do so until he graduates from Bell Gardens High in 1996. Then, if things go according to plan, he will get a scholarship to the college of his choice.

The rough training facility does not appear to have had a negative impact. Since giving up football, basketball and baseball for track three years ago, Granville has set national age-group records in a wide range of events.

He set a national freshman record in the 800-meter run at the Arcadia Invitational on April 10. His winning time of 1 minute 51.61 seconds broke the record of 1:53.06 set by Steve Adderley of Delray Beach, Fla., in 1987.

Proving his record was no fluke, he won the 400 the next week at the Mt. San Antonio Relays in 48.40 seconds, a state freshman record.

In those two weeks, he went from virtual unknown to a hot commodity.

“I haven’t let any of this go to my head, because I’ve got too many other goals I still want to accomplish,” Granville said. “To be honest, I’m still trying to get over the Arcadia meet. I was really in awe when I got there. There were so many guys in my race, and they were all as big (as) or bigger than me. Winning was the last thing on my mind.”

But Granville, soft-spoken, is not lacking in confidence. The honor student said he plans to be the first male athlete from Bell Gardens to qualify for the State meet, June 4-5, at Cerritos College.

He begins that quest Friday in the Almont League finals at Montebello Schurr High.

A state championship would not be the family’s first track title. Michael Sr. won two Southern Section titles at Lynwood in the 1970s. He received a partial scholarship to Cal State Northridge and was enjoying some success before his career was shortened because of a back injury his sophomore year.

The senior Granville, 36, dropped out of college and went to work as an aerospace assembler to support his wife, DeLaura, and Michael Jr. He said his son started challenging him to races at 2, and they have trained together ever since.

Michael Jr. is the oldest of five children, and his father is unemployed because of continuing back problems. The family’s three-bedroom apartment, across the street from the elementary school and four blocks from the high school, is decorated with family portraits and track pictures.

The parents are just as proud of their children’s classroom achievements. Michael Jr. graduated from Bell Gardens Intermediate School last year with straight A’s and has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average.

Daughter ShaLaura, 13, earned such good grades last year as a seventh grader that she was skipped to the ninth grade. She also runs track and is the top 400 female runner at Bell Gardens.

Every afternoon, Michael Sr., Michael Jr. and ShaLaura walk to the elementary school to train. Although the Granvilles compete on the high school team, they usually practice alone with their father, whose carefully planned workouts are designed not to burn his kids out.

When Michael Jr. starts running too fast, his father yells to slow down. He nags him about leaning forward and pushing off his heels.

“I want track to be something they enjoy and want to do,” Michael Sr. said. “I’ve never pushed them into it. And when it becomes a chore, I want them to hang it up and try something else. It should never be a negative experience.”

Fidel Elizzarez, Bell Gardens’ coach, does not object to the arrangement. He is happy to have the Granvilles.

“Mr. Granville called me last summer to inquire about our track program,” said Elizzarez, whose team is going for its third consecutive league title. “He told me about his son’s times, and I took it with a grain of salt. You never know what to believe with parents.”

Elizzarez had never heard of Granville. But after attending The Athletics Congress National Junior Olympics at Mt. Antonio College last August, he knew he was getting something special. Competing in the 13-14 age group, Granville won the 400 in 48.57 seconds and the 800 in 1:57.01, impressive times.

Competing for the West Valley Eagles track club of Canoga Park, Granville readied himself for the outdoor season by setting a national freshman record in the 500, 1:00.01, at the Sunkist Indoor Invitational at the Sports Arena last January.

His first high school season also has produced promising results. Granville has shown versatility by setting school records in the 100, 200, 400 and 800.

At 6 feet and 165 pounds, some wonder if Granville is hitting his peak too early. He is usually bigger than most competitors his age.

“I feel good about what I’ve done, but I realize I can’t do everything at once,” Granville said. “I’m happy about my times, but I’m always setting close and distant goals. I always have to be shooting for something.

“For me, this is only the beginning,” he said. “I’m just getting started.”