Hawthorne Sprinter Stars in Sunkist Track Meet

Although most of the entertainment at Friday night’s Sunkist Invitational came from watching relay runners slip and fall on the slick Sports Arena track, Hawthorne High sprinter Chris Alexander provided some bona fide excitement.

Alexander opened the major-events portion of the evening by winning the football 50 meters in 5.87 seconds, only .06 off the national indoor high school record.

Alexander bolted fast from the blocks, leaving the five other competitors behind, including Napolean Kaufman of Lompoc, who finished second in 5.97.

“We worked on his start all week,” Hawthorne Coach Kye Courtney said. “He came out like a shot.”

Manhattan Beach resident Laura Cattivera of the Nike Coast club made her debut in international competition by placing sixth in the women’s mile with a time of 4:44.16.

Cattivera was originally informed that she had run 4:41. “I wish I had run that time, but as long as it’s under 4:45, it’s good,” she said. Cattivera ran ahead of most of the pack after passing Kathy Kanes at the 880-yard mark.

Hawthorne’s bid to win its fourth consecutive 8 x 160 relay was dashed when second leg Erik Allen slipped on the first turn while trying to pass a Muir runner.

The Cougars recovered to finish second behind Muir, thanks to a strong anchor leg by Alexander.

Alexander finished the night by anchoring Hawthorne’s winning mile relay team.

The Morningside girls’ mile relay team beat a field of eight teams to finish first in 4:07.0.