Hurdler has nothing to fear

When you’ve never attempted to leap over a hurdle while running at full speed, the thought can be daunting. You might imagine leg bruises, shin abrasions or any number of strange injuries that could occur from getting tangled up in one of those awkward contraptions.

Of course, the best way to combat those fears is to get proficient at leaping hurdles.

It took Estancia High senior Ryan Whites several months to feel comfortable doing the hurdles after his freshman coach suggested he give it a try, and about a year to discover that he could excel at the sport.

“One day, the coach decided to see if I’d be any good at it,” Whites said. “The first day I did the hurdles as a freshman, I had never jumped over a hurdle before. At first I was scared, but I got over it.”

Did he ever. Whites qualified for the CIF Southern Section preliminaries in both hurdle events as a sophomore and a junior. He’s the defending Golden West League champion in both the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300 intermediate hurdles.

When Whites first started out, he tried to emulate former Estancia High track and field star Jason Johnston, who graduated in 2004.

“He picks up skills pretty well. He learned a lot from Johnston and from there the coaches helped him slowly master his craft,” Estancia Coach Charlie Appell said.

Whites had a standout performance in the Orange County Track and Field Championships at Trabuco Hills High on Saturday. He took third place in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.62 and fourth in the 110 hurdles at 15.24 despite going against the best in Orange County.

Whites’ season highlights include winning the 300 hurdles (40.6) and taking second in the 110 hurdles (15.4) at the Cerritos Invitational on April 8. In a March 30 meet against Ocean View, Whites added triple jump to his repertoire and wound up winning all three events, helping the Eagles take down the Seahawks, 72-55. And in the San Clemente Invitational, Whites won the 110 hurdles in 15.65 seconds and the 300 hurdles in 40.04.

“The 300 hurdles is probably my best event at the moment,” Whites said. “I think I have better overall speed in that event because, basically, I don’t tire out as fast as others.”

Both of Whites’ times in the Orange County Championships were personal-bests.

“That was awesome. He was very focused,” Appell said. “We hope he’s got more.”

Whites thinks he does. By the time he graduates, he wants to be in the Estancia High record books.

“I’m trying to aim for the school records of 38.9 seconds in the 300 hurdles and 14.9 in the 110 hurdles,” Whites said. His personal bests right now are 39.62 in the 300 and 15.24 in the 110.

He says there were two simple keys that allowed him to excel in the hurdles.

“Overcoming my fear of the hurdles and a willingness to try something new,” Whites said.

The Ryan Whites File

Hometown: Costa Mesa

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 210

Sport: Track and Field

Position: Hurdles

Coach: Charlie Appell

Favorite food: Teriyaki chicken

Favorite movie: “The Matrix”

Favorite athletic moment: “Going to CIF my sophomore year in both hurdles events.”

Week in review: In the Orange County Track and Field Championships at Trabuco Hills High on Saturday, Whites took third place in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles with a time of 39.62, and fourth in the 110 high hurdles at 15.24. Both times were personal bests for Whites.dpt-athlete28.IMGGraphicInfoNA1QDN2320060428NA1QDN23No Captiondpt.28-aow-whites-BPhotoInfo3I1QDMBG20060428iy5ii2ncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)