HIGH SCHOOL TRACK / CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS : Washington’s McElroy Wins Sprints

After securing a football scholarship to UCLA last February, Jim McElroy wasn’t thinking about attempting to become the City Section’s top sprinter.

On the advice of some friends, however, the Washington High senior changed his mind at the last minute and went out for the track team.

McElroy was rewarded for his decision with victories in the 100 and 200 meters at the City finals Thursday at Van Nuys Birmingham High.

“I’ve been running track since I was in the sixth grade,” said McElroy, who is expected to play wide receiver for the Bruins. “But with my scholarship in hand, I thought I would just concentrate on getting ready for college. I decided to help out the team, though, and I’m glad I did.”

Although Dorsey easily retained its team title with 75 points, the spotlight was on McElroy. His times of 10.81 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.47 in the 200 were good enough to edge league rival Leo Settle of Dorsey in both races.

“I’ve been battling Leo all season, and I knew his team was the heavy favorite today,” said McElroy, who is 5 feet 11 and 155 pounds. “But I didn’t want them to run away without a fight, and that’s what I tried to do.”

McElroy also anchored the Generals’ 400 and 1,600 relays, which each placed third.

The top three finishers in each event qualified for the State meet, June 3-4 at Cerritos College.

Despite McElroy’s success, the meet belonged to Dorsey, which scored in 11 of 15 events.

“I figured before the meet that we’d score 55 points, so we went beyond my expectations,” said Ralph Tilley, Dorsey’s coach. “We had no disappointments.”

Dorsey’s second boys’ title in a row was aided by several second-place finishes: Anthony Mabry in the 110 high hurdles, Gene Shepard in the 400 and Anthony Wheeler in the 800. The Dons’ only victories were in the 400 and 1,600 relays.

Washington finished second with 42 points and Woodland Hills El Camino Real was third with 40.

Gardena easily won the girls’ team title with 75 points. Dorsey and Westchester tied for second with 47. University, last year’s team champion, finished in a tie for last place with one point.

The girls’ competition was also marked by a strong individual performance in the sprints. Senior Lataya McCarthy of Gardena won the 100 (12.3) and 200 (25.59) and anchored the team’s victorious 400 and 1,600 relays.