HIGH SCHOOL TRACK / SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Jones Finds New Event to Dominate

Track enthusiasts need no introduction to Marion Jones, the sprinter. But the Thousand Oaks High senior showed them some variety Saturday at Cerritos College during the CIF Southern Section divisional championships, setting a meet record in the long jump.

Jones, in her first year of competition as a long jumper, went 21 feet 1 1/2 inches on her only non-wind-aided effort to break Marlene Harmon’s 1980 mark of 20-0 1/2. Harmon also attended Thousand Oaks.

As expected, Jones breezed to victories in the Division I girls’ 100- and 200-meter dashes, posting an 11.32 mark in the 100 and a wind-aided 22.79 in the 200, both times slower than her national prep records of 11.14 and 22.67.

But Jones saved her best for the long jump. Coming in with a lifetime best of 21-7 and a qualifying mark last week of 19-10 1/2, Jones leaped 21-7 1/4 in her first attempt and 22-1 3/4 in her third effort, but both were above the two-meters-per-second wind allowance.

On Jones’ second jump, however, the wind died down to an acceptable level.

All in all, it was not a bad performance for an athlete who took up the long jump as a change of pace this spring.

“I wasn’t getting bored with the sprints, but everyone needs a little spice in their life,” Jones said.

While pleased with her record long jump, Jones is already concentrating on bigger things.

“The only thing left is the nationals,” she said. “Give me a day with no wind and watch out.”

Running the anchor leg of the Lancer 1,600-meter relay team, Jones ran a 54-second split as Thousand Oaks finished fourth at 3:59.14 and qualified for Friday’s Southern Section Masters meet at Cerritos College.

Jones said she wouldn’t be surprised if she breaks her sprint records at the Masters meet. “If Mother Nature goes my way, you never know.”

But Jones missed a chance at a rare quadruple when Long Beach Poly outdistanced the Lancers in the Division I team competition. Long Beach Poly edged Long Beach Wilson, 76-67. Thousand Oaks (42) was fourth behind Agoura (36).

Jones had helped Rio Mesa to 3-A Division titles as a freshman and sophomore and led Thousand Oaks to the 3-A crown after transferring last year.

Edward Turner of Morningside had a day to remember on the boys’ side, winning the Division III long jump (23-5), 100 meters (10.61) and 200 meters (21.20) and anchoring the Monarchs’ winning effort in the 1,600 relay (3:18.23).

But Turner was more impressed with Morningside’s victories in the Division III boys’ and girls’ team competitions.

“The team championship shows our unity,” Turner said. “It means we’re willing to do what it takes for each other.”

The Morningside boys rolled to a 58-43 victory over second-place Loyola, and the Monarch girls defeated Torrance, 82-40.

Muir (Division I), Upland (II) and Verbum Dei (IV) won the other boys’ titles, with Newport Harbor and Cate capturing girls’ Division II and IV championships, respectively.