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Photo by Jim Craven Jennifer Abbott is tied for the state best at 12.2 seconds in the 100 meters. Abbott bursts onto sprint scene North sophomore's times among state's fastest in 100 and 200 By KRIS HENRY No one has been more surprised to see Jennifer Abbott's name atop the state track and field bests this year than the North Medford sophomore herself. After a relatively obscure freshman campaign, Abbott has been amazed at her ability to shatter goals set entering this season. "This year is way improved from last year," the 16-year-old says. "I wasn't expecting this at all. I just came into this year really wanting to work hard and keep improving my times. What has happened has been a real shock." Wanting to consistently break 13 seconds in the 100 meters and stay in the 26-second range in the 200, Abbott has done that and more in posting a 12.2 in the 100 and 25.4 in the 200 for two of Oregon's top marks this season. Through April 24 marks in Oregon, the Black Tornado runner is tied for the No. 1 spot in the 100 with Southern Oregon Conference foes Allison Bruns of Roseburg and Sam Gilbert of Klamath Union. Hovering an eyelash away at 12.3 is a foursome that includes Janette Martin of South Medford. In the 200, Janita Jones of Benson barely rests ahead of Abbott at 25.3, with Sherwood's Katie Gillespie in third at 25.5. Waiting in the wings once again is the seventh-place time of Martin at 25.9. The sudden thrust into the limelight has also helped Abbott claim school records in the 100 and 200. "I was really hoping for this, but I didn't think it would come so soon," she says. "I was really thinking my junior or senior year I would be getting these marks." The same goes for North Medford coach Ron Toombs, who credits Abbott's work with weights as the main ingredient in her turnaround. "It's the difference between daylight and dark in terms of her body strength," says Toombs. "She's really turned into a different person." Despite Abbott's early successes, Toombs says the good-natured sprinter hasn't been affected by the sudden attention. "She just kind of grins and goes on," he says. "The great thing about her is she's not caught up with herself. She's just Jennifer. Other than being able to run really fast, she's just a typical sophomore girl." Abbott's ability to go with the flow will be tested in the coming weeks. The 5-foot-4 Tornado has a date with South's Martin May 6 in a much-anticipated matchup, then has the SOC district meet on the horizon May 20 and 22 at Grants Pass. "I'll be nervous, but I definitely think she'll push me to my best times yet," Abbott says of facing Martin. "I think it will be a good race. I really think she's a great runner. Even to have my times anywhere near hers right now is really great for me." That's not to say Abbott is in awe of Martin. "I'm always nervous before a race," the sophomore says. "I never let my guard down." Although racing against one of the state's best sprinters in Martin could help validate Abbott's status, Toombs says his runner's overall composure should limit the pressure of performing. "Janette is the No. 1 runner and Jennifer knows that," Toombs says. "I think Jennifer is the kind of runner who's just going to go out and do the best can. She's not going to make too much out of a win or be devastated by a loss." Abbott admits her top marks in the 100 and 200 will be difficult to repeat, much less improve. "I just want to keep trying to stay at that level," she says. "I know right now I'm not going to be able to run the 12.2s in every race, but I want to try and stay at that level as long as I can." Toombs, however, says he isn't concerned with the times as much as the end result. "If the times come down that would be great," he says. "What she needs to focus on right now is not worrying about times but about getting to the tape first. "We're trying to get away from having to come from behind in all these races." Abbott's form presents a slight problem since she is more of an upright sprinter. The sophomore tends to stand straight up right out of the blocks, hindering her acceleration and giving foes a leg up in each race. "She has her own running style and you can't make every runner conform to what you think is the ideal," Toombs says. "What she does have is a quick turnover. She doesn't have a super-high knee lift or long stride, but her quick turnover in steps makes up for that." Another boost comes from Abbott's will to win. Not one to be outwardly competitive, a fire burns inside the Tornado every time she eases into the blocks. "Sometimes I'm thinking about the end instead of the beginning of a race," she admits. "I like to think about winning." Considering her early strides this season, that pervasive image certain isn't unrealistic. But in the end, as Toombs says, she'll just be Jennifer. And that result isn't bad at all. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.