TRACK AND FIELD: Hampton gets back in winner's circle, record books

Alex Hampton doesn't like to lose. And there was no way the Saugus sophomore was going to let it happen again Friday at the Foothill League track and field final.

Hampton had set the Centurions 400-meter program record April 2 against Canyon with a mark of 58.69. That set her up as a legitimate contender for the league title, especially if Valencia senior Aly Drake was going to concentrate on the 800 in the postseason.

But Hampton suffered a loss April 23 to Golden Valley's Lauren Hackney, providing the ideal motivation for their rematch Friday at Canyon High.

Hampton responded with an exceptional performance, quickly making up the stagger on Hackney and the rest of the field en route to lowering her school record to 57.64 and capturing the league championship, with Hackney taking second in 58.27.

"I've been trying to get 57 the past two weeks and I've been right on the boundary, so it's kind of unbelievable (to see that time)," Hampton said. "The last time we raced, she caught me and I'm really competitive and I can't stand when I lose to people. I was a lot more pumped up this time."

Hampton's effort puts her in position to qualify for the Div. II final with another good effort May 16 at the prelims at Moorpark High. If she can make it through to the championship meet, she could be an asset in Saugus' bid to contend for a team plaque.

"I knew I couldn't let anyone beat me," said Hampton, who also ran a leg on Saugus' third-place 1,600 relay team (4:04.23). "I'm always feeling like someone's going to pass me and I really hate to lose, so that really motivated me."