Carson and Palisades Share CIF Track Championship
May 23, 2019
By Amanda Scurlock
Sports Writer
For the sixth consecutive year, the Carson Colts girls track team won the City Section title on Friday, May 17. The team scored 130 points, 76 more points than second place winner Granada Hills. The Palisades boys team snapped the Dorsey Don’s three-year Championship streak.
Carson reigned over the sprinting events with junior Ryan Lacefield pacing the 200m and the 400m. The Colts finished the 4x100m in first place in 48.61s and came in second in the 4x400m in 4:03.23.
“We just want to continue the legacy of our previous track stars and we want to be on top just like them,” said Carson junior Kaitlyn Williams, who was a member of the 4x100 squad and won the title for the 100m.
Carson swept the long jump event with senior Indiah Turner coming in first place and finished second in the Long Jump.
Palisades junior Nnamdi Onwaoze won first place in the 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles, being one of two Dolphins to finish in the top three in both events. In the 4x400m, Palisades finished second; the 4x800 squad came in third, finishing 10 seconds after Monroe. Dolphins senior Devin Fry championed the high jump and junior Kenny Davis secured second in the long jump.
Other Marine League schools, as well as Coliseum League schools also excelled during the Championships. The King/Drew Golden Eagles paced the 4x200m relays while former City Section boys basketball champ Fidelis Okereke came in second in shot put. Sophomore Ogechi Nekes finished third in the girls shot put for King/Drew.
“I was just trying to maintain first place and just make sure that I keep my speed, so nothing will mess up,” said 4x200 relay member Devin Gross.
Crenshaw senior Ameer Muhammad qualified for the State meet with his performance in the 200m;h he and Cougars junior James Jenkins came in first and third respectively for the 100m. Narbonne Gauchos senior Steve Jenkins finished second in the 400m.
“My coaches told me if I don’t drag my foot and just keep my hands to my face, I’ll have a good chance and I didn’t drag my foot, I just kept pushing,” James said.
Narbonne clinched the 4x100m City crown with Crenshaw coming in third. Cougars senior Jasmine Blackmon dominated the girls inclusive long jump and finished second in the inclusive 100m in 15.74.
Dorsey junior Christian Rodriguez bested All-City Section schools in the 800m and senior Alex Sweeney came in second the 300m hurdles. The Dons finished third in the 4x400m with Granada Hills coming in first, while Dons senior Nathan Anderson won the City title in the triple jump.
View Park knights senior Caitlin Worline bolted to first in the 100m hurdles with a 14.51s time. The Knights dominated the girls inclusive events with senior Shani Johnson finishing in the top three for the 100m, 400m, long jump, and shot put. Senior James Burbank paced the boys long jump for View Park. Before his jumps, he would ignite the packed stadium of spectators to cheer for him.
“I think what helped me win was the [claps],” Burbank said. “I think that clap just brings powers on people.”