CLOVIS -- Despite her impressive performances the past two weeks, Harvard-Westlake of Studio City sophomore Amy Weissenbach doesn't consider herself the favorite today to win the 800-meter state championship.

Her competition might believe otherwise.

After producing the No. 3 outdoor mark in the nation this year to capture the Southern Section Masters title May 28, Weissenbach backed it up by posting the fastest qualifying time of 2 minutes, 9.71 seconds in Friday's prelims at Buchanan High's Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Weissenbach, who is the state leader at 2:08.34, is looking to become the third local athlete to win an 800 state title, following Canyon's Alysia Johnson in 2004 and Valencia's Aly Drake last season.

"It's an exciting idea, but I'm still kind of in shock that I did as well as I did at Masters," Weissenbach said. "It's kind of a crazy idea, but it would be pretty awesome. I feel a lot better knowing I have that kick at the end, knowing I can compete if it comes down to that. But we're all so close. There's so many people right behind me."

Weissenbach joined teammate Matthew Bedford -- fifth in the boys' 400 (48.48) -- in advancing to today's finals. She also competed on Harvard-Westlake's school-record 1,600 relay team, teaming with Lauren Hansson, Jennie Porter and Cami Chapus to run 3:49.19 and qualify sixth.

Weissenbach, who helped Harvard-Westlake capture the Div. IV state cross country championship at Fresno's Woodward Park in November, wasn't the only area athlete to post the fastest qualifying time Friday.

Agoura junior Jonathan Cabral erased the disappointment of tripping over a hurdle and falling in last year's prelims of the 110 hurdles to win his heat in a wind-aided 13.70 seconds, the top mark for today's finals. Cabral also won his 300 hurdles heat in 38.09 for the ninth and final qualifying spot.

"It's such a relief. It's like a 40-pound weight has been lifted off my chest," said Cabral, who has his sights set on Kevin Craddock's state-record 13.39 seconds in 2004. "I definitely think if I have a perfect start and I stay clean and low over all my hurdles, then I have a shot (at the record). All I was thinking about (Friday) was qualifying."

Rio Mesa of Oxnard's Jamison Jordan put himself in position to win three state titles today, including both relays. Jordan won his heat in the 100 in 10.45 to qualify fourth, along with leading off the fastest 400 relay (41.10) -- teaming with Steven Richards, LaDarrin Roach and Blake Selig -- and qualifying third in the 1,600 relay (3:15.72).

Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (41.36) and Taft of Woodland Hills (41.86) also advanced in the 400 relay.

"For us to win the 400 relay, it's going to take perfect handoffs. Long Beach Poly has a lot of fast guys, so we need everything to go perfectly because it really only counts when the time comes," Jordan said.

"I didn't get out as fast as I wanted to (in the 100), so that definitely leaves room for improvement. I just wanted to be part of a fast race and get to the final."

Rio Mesa's Valexsia Droughn and Highland of Palmdale's Jessica Davis might be part of one of the fastest girls' 100-meter finals in state history today. Droughn won her heat in a personal-best 11.47, following Davis taking her heat in 11.53. St. Elizabeth of Oakland's Ashton Purvis won the final heat in 11.22 and Clovis' Jenna Prandini prevailed in the first heat in 11.34, the Nos. 2 and 3 outdoor times in the country this season.

"Ashton's time, that's mind-blowing. It's amazing to see where she's at," Droughn said. "That's the time I want to get to. But it lets me know I'm ready to run a very fast time (today). You have all the top girl athletes in one race and it's going to take a fast start and then it's going to come down to whoever wants it the most."

Davis added a 23.56 in the 200 -- the second-fastest prelim mark behind Purvis (23.10) -- and teamed with Chelsey Washington, Braxton Cullors and Natani Story to qualify eighth in the 1,600 relay in 3:51.92, with Saugus just missing the cutoff after running 11th (3:53.82).

"Once I slingshot off the curve (in the 200), I felt like I should be comfortable enough (to qualify)," Davis said. "I just have to take care of my race, that's all.

Valencia's Jasmine Hall led a group of three local girls' high jumpers advancing to the final flight, clearing 5 feet, 6 inches along with Thousand Oaks' Lydia French and Oak Park's Tayler Johnson, who missed advancing in the long jump by two inches with an effort of 17-9 1/2. Rio Mesa freshman Raegan Nizdil just missed advancing in the high jump, clearing 5-4.

Burbank's Greg Dotson took second in his 800 heat in 1:52.13 to qualify sixth, looking to become the Bulldogs' fourth state champion.

"It's good to be able to run (in the final)," Dotson said. "This is what I've been waiting for, trying to win a state title."

Taft's Antuan Goodall joined Bedford in qualifying for the 400 final, posting the eighth-fastest time of 48.73. Birmingham of Lake Balboa's Briau'na Watley moved on in the girls' 400 (55.67).

Royal of Simi Valley's Travis Edwards (4:16.39) and Granada Hills' Javert Solorzano (4:20.12) qualified in the boys' 1,600 and West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch's Jennifer Owen advanced in the girls' 1,600 (5:03.54). Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Niko DiMartino advanced in the boys' long jump (23-0).

Oak Park's Connor Stark qualified in the boys' pole vault at 14-9.