Gunn distance runner Ruth Graham, the Central Coast Section defending two-mile champion, wasn't looking to come out fast in the Kiwanis-Bellarmine Track Classic.
She wanted to take the race in stride Saturday, but her pace -- she finished in 10:56.54 -- kept her in front of the pack and earned her another first-place finish in the two-mile race at the 18th annual meet at Los Gatos High School.
Graham, also the two-time defending champion in girls CCS Division II cross-country, was happy with the way she started the season.
``I'm feeling really good,'' said Graham, a junior. ``I'm not training too much.''
This was Graham's biggest race since she won the CIF state cross-country championships at Woodward Park in Fresno in November.
That result made her hungry for more this track season.
``I definitely want to go to state,'' said Graham, who finished sixth in the state last season. ``My goal is to medal at state.''
Also in the two-mile race, Presentation sophomore Melissa Grilli, who won the CCS Division III cross-country title, finished second at 10:58.47 and Milpitas junior Jessica Baldwin, who won the CCS Division I cross-country title, finished fourth at 11:35.58. Grilli, who finished ninth in last year's CCS race, took first place in the mile (5:06.46).
Bells high jumper Jihad Beauchman took first by jumping 6 feet, 6 inches, which tied his personal best. He finished third in the triple jump with a jump of 44 feet, 2 inches.
Beauchman was third in both events during last season's CCS finals. Milpitas hurdler Danielle Povio's time of 47.93 was first in the 300-meter low hurdles. Povio finished second in CCS last season in the event.
Bellarmine's boys team was first with 88 points. Logan's girls team placed first with 72.