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Track: Nighthawks’ Gunter running with elite

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It was a déjà vu moment for Del Norte’s D’Angelo Gunter.

The Mt. SAC Relays two weeks ago was supposed to be a chance to evaluate how much progress Gunter has made during the season.

Time is running out to do that.

Running in his favorite event, the 400-meter run, Gunter hit the halfway point of the race in fine shape.

Things got terrible from there.

He faded badly down the stretch and finished seventh in a lackluster time of 51.47 seconds.

“Worst race of my life,’’ the junior said. “I came out good, but in the last 100 I had nothing left.

“It was a helpless feeling watching everyone else run right by me.

“I feel like I should have been second or third.’’

The outing reminded Gunter of his first effort in the state championships.

“I got destroyed at state,’’ Gunter recalled. “I wasn’t used to running against better guys like that.

“When they blew by me I just froze up.’’

Those two “off’’ days have helped make Gunter a bit more confident about his ability, despite the tough lesson it also afforded him.

A gently scolding by Del Norte coach Chris Ruff after the race at Mt. SAC should have the Nighthawks’ football player more prepared and less in awe of whatever talented field he faces from here on out.

It’s like Gunter, who plays cornerback for the Del Norte football team, going against his idol Dez Bryant, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

Gunter is learning how to create a swagger to take on top-flight performers in either sport.

“I think I’ll be a whole lot better prepared the next time,’’ said the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Gunter. “I’m getting more experience. I know who the top guys are now.

“In football, I just run loose, stay laid back and have fun. In track, I think too much.’’

When Gunter runs the occasional 100 or 200, or a leg of the 400 relay race, all he does is run.

But the individual 400 involves a bit of strategy, especially for Gunter who prefers to hide in the middle of the pack for the first 200 meters.

Then he has a short window to make his move. Miss that window and the race will be lost.

“It’s all come easy for him,’’ said Ruff, who coached Reggie Bush in track at Helix. “He passes the eye test. He looks like an elite 400 runner.

“He’s like most elite athletes. They feel like they can catch anyone.’’

Winning is not that easy. Del Norte has captured the San Diego Section Division II team title in each of the last three years.

Gunter was part of the section-winning 400 relay team in 2015.

“I thought when I started in track two years ago that it would help me run better, especially in football,’’ Gunter said. “I just went out for track and they threw me into a relay and I ran a 53-split for my 400. That’s how I became a 400 guy.’’

His personal best times in the 100 is 11.1, in the 200 is 22.19 and, in his favorite event the 400, he’s at 49.17.

“I should be in the 48s by now,’’ Gunter said. “I’ve made too many mistakes in certain races.

“I’d be a little sad if I’m in college and I’m not playing football, but track would be fine if it gets me there.

“Can’t feel bad about any way to get a free education.

“I don’t want to look back five or 10 years from now and feel bad because I didn’t get done what I want to get done.’’

Especially in big races.

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