CLOVIS -- The reaction of De La Salle High's Marquis Morris was quick and declarative.

The junior clapped quickly two times after he crossed the finish line in the boys 110-meter high hurdles final Saturday at the California Interscholastic Federation state track and field championships. He had just run a personal record of 13.90 seconds to win the event by .18.

Morris was first to the first hurdle, but lost the lead briefly in the middle of the race before remaining strong in the final half of the race at Buchanan High.

"From the start, my heart was pounding," the junior said. "The first three hurdles were pretty clean. My coaches said 'take a deep breath once you get to three and just go."