CITY SECTION TRACK AND FIELD : Title Up for Grabs as Dorsey Unlikely to Repeat

One of the closest boys’ team competitions in years is expected today in the City Section track and field finals at Van Nuys Birmingham High.

Although two-time defending champion Dorsey has the most qualifiers with 13, the Dons figure to finish in the middle of the pack.

That opens the door for several teams, including Crenshaw, Reseda Cleveland, Westchester, Fremont, Wilmington Banning and Palisades.

Field events begin at 3 p.m. and running events at 4:30.

In the girls’ competition, defending champion Gardena is also not expected to repeat. The overwhelming favorite is Dorsey, going after its second title in the last four years.

Individually, Fremont’s Clarence Scott will attempt to improve on his nationally leading prep mark in the long jump of 25 feet 4 1/2 inches. In the 100 meters, Charles Lee of Cleveland is a heavy favorite after running an impressive 10.4 seconds during the preliminaries.

Keisha Griffis of Washington is the top qualifier in the girls’ 100-high hurdles (15.23) and 300-low hurdles (45.79).

The top three finishers in each event qualify for the state meet June 2-3 at Cerritos College.