Where: Cerritos College in Norwalk.
Prelims: Today. Field events, 2 p.m. Running events, 5 p.m.
Finals: Tomorrow. Field events, 2 p.m. Running events, 4 p.m.
BOYS
In the hunt: Poway High's Tynan Murray is the state leader in the high jump at 7-1, but he'll need to be at his best to become the first state champ from the San Diego Section in that event since Oceanside's Jerry Culp in 1970. Murray, a consistent leaper, bumped Culp to third all-time in the section when he cleared 7-1 in the prelims. Now he's eyeing the section best of 7-2 by Madison's Frank Schiefer in 1979. Primary competition is expected to come from JSerra soph Harrison Steed and Vista Murrieta junior Nick Ross, both 7-footers.
Others to watch: Murray is one of five section athletes who are one big day away from taking the top step on the victory stand. The most intriguing is University City's Mac Fleet in the 1,600 meters. A second-place state finisher a year ago at 4:08.09, he will face state leader German Fernandez of Riverbank, near Modesto. Fernandez has run a national-leading 4:05.57. El Camino's Nelson Rosario slipped to No. 2 in the state in the long jump last week, but by dropping the high jump he will be able to focus on the long jump and triple jump. Lincoln's Nico Reaves placed seventh in the state last spring but is No. 4 this year in a tightly packed 400-meter field. One big effort may be all Monte Vista's David Spates needs to win the shot put or discus. He stands third in both. Rancho Buena Vista's Jamal Alston is No. 2 under any conditions in the 200 with a wind-aided 21.17.
GIRLS
In the hunt: Ultra-consistent Emily Mattoon, the Rancho Bernardo junior, has been the state leader in the pole vault from the outset and is looking to push her section record of 12-10 even higher. She had good attempts at
13-0¼ in the section finals while competing in the rain. Given better conditions, she could add plenty. The last time Mattoon had an off day, at Mount SAC, Westview soph Kortney Ross beat her with a 12-4 effort.
Others to watch: Speedy Tenille Stoudenmire of Rancho Bernardo and powerful Brandy Dyer of Vista are victory-stand possibilities, but it will take monster efforts from each. Stoudenmire, a junior, is in the state's top 10 in the 200, as is Dyer in the shot put and discus. Dyer was ninth last year. Want a long shot? La Costa Canyon's Katy Andrews placed sixth in the 3,200 a year ago. She has not had the kind of season she was hoping for, but this is where she stepped up with a PR of 10:36.58.
– STEVE BRAND
