CALIFORNIA DREAM’N

NORWALK -- After winning her second straight state title in the high

jump, Costa Mesa High senior Sharon Day cried. But those weren’t

tears of joy.

Day cleared 5 feet, 10 inches on her first attempt to edge

freshman Mindi Wiley of Sonoma and became a state champion in the

finals of the CIF State track and field championships Saturday in

front of 11,862 at Cerritos College.

An uncharacteristic Day did not clear 6-0, and was upset with

herself. So goes the life of an ultra-competitive athlete. There

seemed only one way to describe her second consecutive state title.

“Bittersweet,” said Day, who cleared 6-2 April 5, establishing

herself as the nation’s best this season. “This season has been

awesome. I [achieved personal-best marks] twice. It’s been a lot of

fun. I wish it could have been a little different.”

Day held back tears when talking to reporters, shortly after

stepping down from the first-place podium. She provided a courtesy

smile when a reporter presented a comparison to the feeling she had

Saturday. When asked if Day felt the same when the Costa Mesa High

girls soccer team won a share of the CIF Division III title, Day

responded with a bit of grace and frustration, “Very much the same.”

Day, who is known to be at her best in pressure situations, was

left with few answers as to what happened when she tried to clear

6-0.

“I was jumping well, [clearing 5-6, 5-8 and 5-10 on first

attempts],” Day said. “But I just didn’t have it at the end.

“I am very competitive,” she said. “That’s why I am so upset. It

felt like I tied.”

Regardless of how Day felt, the facts remained: Day was a champion

at every level she competed during the past month. She owned the high

jump event, winning the Golden West League, CIF Southern Section

Division III, Masters Meet and state titles.

She nearly finished second in the high jump Saturday, but cleared

5-10 on her first attempt to keep the up-and-coming Wiley at bay.

Wiley cleared 5-10 on her second attempt, and she nearly conquered

6-0. Day also came close to getting past 6-0 on her third and final

attempt, but her right heel hit the bar. On her second attempt, she

slipped just before jumping and spilled onto the mat after going

under the bar.

Just before Day’s first attempt, Los Angeles Baptist phenom

Allyson Felix broke the national record in the 200 meters, finishing

in 22.52. The previous record was 22.67 by Marion Jones. The crowd

gasped in amazement as the announcer read off Felix’s time. But the

commotion did not distract Day, she said.

While Day took off for her first attempt at 6-0, Felix began her

victory lap, waving at track and field fans, who were applauding.

Said Day: “She did a victory lap? I didn’t even notice.”

After Day slipped and did not clear 6-0 on her second attempt, her

father and coach, Eugene, offered her advice and encouraged her while

leaning over the railing in the stands. Eugene Day was not sure if

Sharon had won the state title after the event ended. And when he

realized she did win, he was hardly pleased.

“I’m very upset,” Eugene Day said. “She lost focus. She’s never

nervous at these type of meets, so you know that wasn’t the case.

Maybe she was too relaxed.”

Eugene Day was still comforted by the fact that his daughter won

her second straight state championship and was the top high jumper in

the nation this season.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Eugene Day said of Sharon’s track and

field season. “She worked and worked .. she had a whirlwind year in

athletics.”

Sharon Day earned MVP honors in the Golden West League in

volleyball and soccer. She was also named offensive MVP in CIF

Division III soccer after scoring 29 goals, and producing 24 assists.

She became the Orange County Female Athlete of the Year, as

determined by the county’s athletic directors, May 27.

She led the Costa Mesa volleyball, soccer and track and field

teams to undefeated season in the Golden West League.

Sharon Day, who will continue her athletic career at Cal Poly San

Luis Obispo, said she is looking forward to her next bout with the

high jump, which is at the USA junior outdoor track and field

championships June 19-21 at Stanford University.

Earlier this week, Day said she was recruited by the Cardinal, but

associate head coach Edrick Floreal told her she had to prove herself

in the Pac-10 then she could gain a scholarship for her junior year.

At Cal Poly, Day will also play as a walk-on the women’s soccer team.