Section Showdown: Girls, Southern Section vs CA All-Stars

One of the hallowed track programs of all time, Long Beach Poly, gets the meet off to a flying start with the 2004 quartet putting up the 44.50. Score: SS 5, AS 0. Running score: SS 5, AS 0.

1600 Run

The city of Irvine gets some big points here as University's Polly Plumer (4:33.65 converted from a 4:35.24 mile in 1984) and Woodbridge's Christine Babcock (4:33.82 in 2008) roll home ahead of Harvard-Westlake's Cami Chapus (4:38.02 in 2012) who nips Oak Ridge's Alex Kosinski (4:38.15 in 2007) at the finish. Score: SS 9, AS 0. Running score: SS 14, AS 0.

High Jump

Sweeps are going to be fairly common in this dual with the all-star team of Clovis' Latrese Johnson (6-2.75 in 1985), Woodside's Wendy Brown (6-2.25 in 1984) and Woodland's Julie Broughton (6-2.25 in 1989) going 1-2-3 over Costa Mesa's Sharon Day (6-2 in 2003). Score: AS 9, SS 0. Running score: SS 14, AS 9.

100 Hurdles

The only sub-13 second runner in state history, Agoura's Tara Davis (12.95 in 2017) is up to the challenge presented by San Jose Mt. Pleasant's Vashti Thomas (13.03 in 2007) and Berkeley St. Mary's Trinity Wilson (13.15 in 2011). Score: SS 5, AS 4. Running score: SS 19, AS 13.

Long Jump

Although she had to run back and forth from the long jump to the hurdles, Agoura's Tara Davis (22-1 in 2017) was able to edge another multi-eventer, Thousand Oaks' Marion Jones (22-00.50) and Walnut's Juliana Yendork (21-03.25 in 1990) for another sweep. Score: SS 9, AS 0. Running score: SS 28, AS 13.

400 Run

National Federation record-holder and four-time state champ in this event, San Diego Morse's Monique Henderson (50.74 in 2000), uses her powerful stretch run to nip Granada Hills Kennedy's Howard sisters, with Denean (50.87 in 1982) edging Sherri (51.09 in 1979) for second. Score: AS 9, SS 0. Running score: SS 28, AS 22.

Discus Throw

With Shafter's Anna Jelmini (190-3 in 2009) leading the way, the all-stars make it two consecutive 9-0 runs to grab the team lead. Modesto Downey's Suzy Powell (188-4 in 1994) and San Jose Valley Christian's Elena Bruckner (186-10 in 2016) grab the silver and bronze. Score: AS 9, SS 0. Running score: AS 31, SS 28.

100 Dash

What a finish as Chino's Angela Williams (11.11 in 1998) clips Thousand Oak's Marion Jones (11.14 in 1992). A lean behind is Oakland St. Elizabeth's Ashton Purvis (11.17 in 2010), who prevents a sweep. Score: SS 8, AS 1. Running score: SS 36, AS 32.

800 Run

Big-name runners from recent times to more than 50 years ago give the Southern Section all nine points. Harvard-Westlake's Amy Weissenbach (2:02.04 as a junior in 2011) leads the way with Orange's Mary Decker (2:02.29 in 1974) and Compton's Charlotte Cooke (2:03.8 in 1966) right behind. Score: SS 9, AS 0. Running score: SS 45, AS 32.

Shot Put

Valley Christian's Elena Bruckner (54-7 in 2016) and Shafter's Anna Jelmini (54-04.75 in 2009) have a tremendous competition to go 1-2 but Dos Pueblos' Stamatia Scarvelis (53-09.25 in 2014) prevents a repeat of the discus. Score: AS 8, SS 1. Running score: SS 46, AS 40.

300 Hurdles

Here's that unbeatable Long Beach Wilson connection with sub-40 second hurdler Lashinda Demus (39.98 in 2001) topping then soph Ebony Collins (40.10 in 2005). Mills' Leslie Maxie (40.18 in 1984), the state record-holder for 14 years, grabs third. Score: SS 8, AS 1. Running score: SS 54, AS 41.

Pole Vault

One has to wonder what Westlake's Paige Sommers (14-6 in 2020) might have ascended to had she been able to finish her season. Soaring a state-best the first invitational of the year was impressive. At least she will return. Sommers edges Anaheim Canyon's Rachel Baxter (14-05.50 in 2017) and Palo Alto Castilleja's Tori Anthony (14-01.25 in 2007). Score: SS 8, AS 1. Running score: SS 62, AS 42.

200 Dash

You can't find much bigger names than these in girls high school track. L.A. Baptist's Allyson Felix (22.11 in 2003), Thousand Oak's Marion Jones (22.58 in 1992) and Oaks Christian's Lauren Rain Williams (22.80 in 2016) give the SS a sweep and the team title with three events remaining. Score: SS 9, AS 0. Running score: SS 71, AS 42.

3200 Run

It's been almost a quarter century since Thousand Oaks' Kim Mortensen (9:48.59 in 1996) dipped under 9:50. Irvine Northwood's Bethan Knights (8:50.10 in 2014) grabs second ahead of SLO Mission Prep's Jordan Hasay (9:52.313 in 2008). That's a 33-3 run for the SS. Score: SS 8, AS 1. Running score: SS 79, AS 43.

Triple Jump

Too little, too late but Merrill West's Brittany Daniels (44-11.75 in 2004) and Holy Names' Ke-Nyia Richardson (44-05.50 in 2007) give the all-stars a lift with a 1-2 finish ahead of Walnut's Juliana Yendork (44-00.50 in 1991). Score: AS 8, SS 1. Running score: SS 80, AS 51.

4x400 Relay

Since the Southern Section has the top 10 marks all-time, this was a foregone conclusion with that 2004 Long Beach Poly crew that opened the meet with a victory putting the hammer down in the final event, running 3:35.49. Score: SS 5, AS 0