Track Star Transfers to Los Alamitos

Erik Mitchell of Mayfair High School, one of the top sprinters in the Southern Section and an all-league running back, has enrolled at Los Alamitos High School for his senior season, according to coaches at both schools.

“His mother called me on Monday night and said they were moving to Los Alamitos,” said Leon Ward, football and track coach at Mayfair. “I hate to see him go.”

Mitchell, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior, gained 1,129 yards in 124 carries for a 9.1 rushing average and scored 10 touchdowns as a junior. The two-year starter earned All-Suburban League honors despite playing for a team that finished 3-7.

Mitchell won the 200-meter race in the Southern Section 2-A division track and field championships as a sophomore but failed to qualify for the meet as a junior after he sustained a hamstring injury before the Suburban League finals.

Mitchell finished second in the 200-meter event at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational this year with a time of 21.35 seconds. He has a personal best of 10.5 in the 100 meters.

“Track is his best sport, but he’s being recruited by some major college football teams,” Ward said. “UCLA, Nebraska and Cal were here for spring football. They all liked his speed and acceleration.”

John Barnes, Los Alamitos football coach, said Mitchell has yet to join his team for summer workouts but confirmed that he had enrolled. Los Alamitos advanced to the Southern Conference title game in 1987 and the Division III championship game in 1988.

Mitchell could not be reached for comment Tuesday.