Getting Back To Old Gayles Force -- Sprinter Tries To Put Injury Behind Him

BURIEN - Leland Gayles still runs like the wind, but not at gale force. Not yet. But soon, he promises.

"This week, I'm trying to turn it up," he said yesterday.

A year ago, Gayles was considered one of the premier track prospects in the state as a sophomore. He had finished fifth in the 400 meters at the Class AA state track and field meet as a freshman, helping Kennedy High School capture its first team championship. That summer, he placed third in the national Junior Olympics, clocking an impressive 48.2.

Gayles was on the fast track to success, both in football and track. He became a two-way backfield starter in football as a sophomore and blazed into the 1993 track season as a contender for a state title in the 400. He furthered that notion by winning the event in the prestigious Pasco Invitational in 48.7.

But that race marked the beginning of the end for Gayles. He suffered what he thought was a muscle spasm immediately afterward, but stretched it out and ran on Kennedy's 1,600 relay team. On the way home, his left leg tightened. The next day, he couldn't run.

Gayles didn't run competitively again until the Sea-King District meet. He placed second to Chief Sealth junior Marvin Kasim, the defending state champion, in 50.2. Kasim ran a 48.8.

At state, Gayles ran a 49.14 in the finals, but was in no condition to keep up with Kasim, who won in 48.54.

"I was up with him until the very last turn," Gayles recalled, "but I had missed almost the whole season. It wasn't even a race after that. He pulled away from me."

Gayles spent most of the summer in physical therapy. Doctor after doctor told him it was a bad hamstring pull, but Gayles didn't believe the diagnosis. It didn't feel like a hamstring injury and it turned out not to be, although he still isn't quite sure what it was - a pulled gluteus maximus muscle is probably the closest guess.

Gayles struggled to return to form for football. He finally got untracked with a 100-yard game against Eastside Catholic in the first round of the state playoffs, but did little in Kennedy's next two games. He spent most of the winter in the weight room and admits he has babied himself early this track season.

No more. He is training hard this week, spring break at Kennedy.

"I'm feeling really good," he said. "After spring break is when I really want to turn it up."

His ultimate goal is to win the 400 at state, but that seems a long way off now.

"I would like to win it, but I haven't even thought about it," Gayles said. "Mostly I'm just thinking about week to week, how my leg feels and getting done what I need to get done today. Hopefully by the time state comes around, I'll be ready."

Gayles is doing better in the 100 and 200 than the 400, primarily because he still is out of condition. At the Liberty Invitational last Saturday, he won the 200 in 22.43, but was third in the 400, fading badly down the stretch. A recent bout with strep throat didn't help.

Gayles hopes to push for a college scholarship in football, his first real love. He visited the University of Washington spring camp this week and admits he would love to play for the Huskies. Napoleon Kauffman is his favorite running back.

Gayles' father, Leland Sr., played one year of football at Arizona State University before transferring to UCLA. He quit both school and football to support his wife and newborn son, Leland Jr., and became a police officer. The elder Gayles is an avid supporter of his son's athletic and academic endeavors and they often run or work out together. Leland Jr. is a good student - he has a 3.0 grade-point average - but admits he doesn't push himself as hard in the classroom as on the track.

"I'm smarter than that," he said.

His father agrees.

"He's a pretty good kid and I'm very proud of him," said Leland Sr., who is retired from the Seattle Police Department and works with youth at risk. "He's never been in any trouble. The only problem I have with Lee is academically. He's no dumb kid. He'll do just enough to get by. That's what bothers me. I tell him, `a lot of kids have athletic talent, but I want you to use your head.' "

Leland Jr. attended seventh and eighth grades at Meeker Junior High in Kent and would have attended Kentridge. But his father decided his academic needs might be better met at a private school like Kennedy. He was joined there this year by brother Eddie, a freshman who also shows promise in football and track.

Leland's other natural brother is Eric, age 9. But in another month or so he'll officially have two more brothers and six sisters. The Gayles are in the process of adopting eight foster children, which is fine with Leland Jr.

"They're all sweet kids," he said. "I like it better than having to be by yourself all the time."

There's only one time Gayles enjoys being by himself - on the track at the finish line.