Nelson Hits a State Best of 23-10 1/2 in Long Jump

Simi Valley High long jumper Lawrence Nelson leaped a state-best 23-10 1/2 Thursday as the Pioneers defeated Camarillo, 98-28.

Nelson eclipsed this season’s state high of 23-7 by Curtis Rogers of Johnson High in Sacramento.

“Once he gets some top-notch competition, we feel he’ll go over 24 feet,” Simi Valley assistant coach Jamie Kogut said. Nelson, a senior, should get that competition Saturday at the Arcadia Invitational.

Nelson will oppose Elgin Caldwell of Tempe, the top prep long jumper in Arizona with a 23-9 mark. Jim Carmel (23-5) of Mt. Carmel in San Diego will also face Nelson. Rogers is not slated to compete at Arcadia.

“Nelson lost only once last year and that was when he finished fourth in the CIF finals with a 23-4 1/2 mark,” Kogut said. His best this year was 23-5.

Simi Valley also had several other outstanding marks Thursday, notably from sophomore Mike Carnes, who blazed to a 100-meter victory in 10.5 seconds and was runnerup to Nelson in the long jump at 22-7 1/2.

Nelson and Carnes also swept to a first and second in the 220 with marks of 22.5 and 22.9.

Pioneer basketball player Mark Nelson won the high jump with a leap of 6-4 and senior Richard Hunt captured the triple jump in 44-3 1/2.

The lopsided victory was symbolic of Simi Valley’s long dominance in Marmonte League track and field. The win gave the Pioneers a 4-0 league dual meet mark and was their 20th consecutive league dual meet victory over the past three years.

Simi Valley’s league dual meet record over the past seven years rose to 54-1.