Heilman runs 10.60 to place second at Golden West

FOLSOM, Calif. - Josh Heilman's ultimate dream is to run track at USC. If he keeps running the way he has been, there's a good chance he'll realize that dream - if he doesn't eventually accept a scholarship somewhere else.

Heilman had a performance to remember on the national stage on Sunday at Folsom High at the Golden West Invitational track and field meet, finishing second in a personal best of 10.60 seconds in the 100-meter dash. While Heilman, who graduated from Carson High on Saturday, was aided by a 2.3-meter per second wind, it didn't diminish a performance in which he lowered his best time from 10.83.

Heilman was only beaten by South Carolina's Torik Davis, who won in 10.55. Heilman had set a goal of 10.6, which he was able to accomplish on Sunday.

"That's pretty cool how I ran my time just like I wrote down," he said.

It's also a time that will go a long way in helping to realize his ultimate goal - to run track at USC.

With a 10.6, Heilman already has a time that's good enough for consideration to be at least a relay runner at a Pac 10 program at USC. And if Heilman reaches his next goal - 10.3 - he would definitely be a candidate to run for the Trojans.

Heilman will attend Mt. San Antonio Community College in Southern California with the hope of eventually transferring to USC.

"This is a good track and I was running against faster people than I've been running with all year," said Heilman in explaining his performance. "To get a time like that you need good people to run with, nice weather and a good track. And I felt good, too."

Heilman's performances have been made even more impressive by the fact he's just 150 pounds and normally the smallest runner on the track, as he was on Sunday.

"I'm just going to get a lot bigger and a lot stronger," said Heilman, who won the NIAA 4A State 100 title last month.

Among those who Heilman also credited with his success was his family, teammates Tilor Smith and Sam Pincock and Carson assistant track coach Shane Quilling.

Heilman is also fortunate he won't have to run for a while. He pulled up at the end of the race with a pulled hamstring.

"It's a good thing that this is my last race," he said. "Right after I finished, it tightened up."

Another local runner who had an impressive effort was Galena's Dan Geib, who took seventh in the 3,200 in a personal best of 9:17.8. Despite a fast pace in the first half of the race, Geib was able to hang on to seventh.

"The first mile was a little too fast," he said. "That might have hurt me going into the second mile so I just tried to hang in there. I PRd so I was happy about that."

Geib, who will be a senior at Galena next year, won't be happy if he's not on the medal stand at next year's Golden West meet.

"I'm going to work my butt off this summer," he said. "In my opinion it would be a major disappointment if I don't get top three."

Reno High's Mel Lawrence was also impressive, taking second in the girls mile in 4:48.32.

It wasn't the best of days for Smith Valley's pole vaulters. Jordan Savidge, who has cleared an all-time Nevada best of 16-3, failed to clear 15-0 on his three attempts in the elite division. But Savidge, who won four NIAA 1A state titles this season, took it all in stride.

Coaches from Kansas and Sacramento State were among those who came to watch Savidge. Among other schools who Savidge is considering are Washington and Arizona.

"It just wasn't my day," Savidge said. "No excuses. The weather's great. Anything can happen on any given day.

"Nothing's for granted. I just need to go back to the books and keep working on it."

Savidge said he wasn't worried about his performance affecting his recruiting.

"They've seen what I can do," he said. "One meet isn't going to persuade them or dissuade them one way or the other. We'll just get them

next time.

"I still have quite a few options. I'm definitely wanting to sign. We're not rushing into anything, yet. But in the not-too-distant future we'll figure it out."

Smith Valley's Sam Marshek, who has cleared 15-0, was unable to compete in the B division after sustaining a hip injury during warmups.

Smith Valley Kylee Gleason, who will be a junior next year, easily cleared 10-4, but went out well under her personal best of 11-6 when she failed to clear 11-2 in the girls B division.

Gleason looked like she had cleared 11-2 on her second attempt, just brushing the bar as she went over. But she wasn't happy with her third attempt.

"I wasn't even close," Gleason said about approaching her personal best of 11-6. Gleason also won four state titles this season at the state meet.

"The second one felt really good," said Gleason about her try at 11-2. "The third jump I felt that I gave up. I just stopped on my takeoff and didn't finish."

n Contact Charles Whisnand at cwhisnand@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1214.