Youth Might Serve Taft in the Girls’ City Finals

Sophomores Francis Santin and Eboni Grayson and freshman Tiffany Smith of Taft High have probably never heard of former Kennedy standouts Paula Bresnan, Kim Hall and Rose Faamai.

But they could establish a historical bond with that trio tonight if the Toreadors win the City Section girls’ track and field championships at Birmingham High.

Bresnan, Hall and Faamai combined for four victories in the 1983 meet to lead the Golden Cougars to their second consecutive City title, but the Valley has since experienced a 12-year victory drought.

Defending champion Dorsey figures to edge Taft, but Toreador Coach Mel Hein is also wary of Westchester and host Birmingham.

“We would like to take a run at Dorsey,” Hein said. “But we can’t forget about those other two.”

Field events start at 4 p.m., followed by running events at 6.

Taft, led by hurdler Santin, sprinter and long-jumper Grayson and quarter-miler Smith, is capable of totaling 60 points in the meet, but that might not be enough to defeat Dorsey, which won last year with 63 1/2 points.

The top six finishers in each event are awarded points on a 10-8-6-4-2-1 basis.

Santin is favored in the 300-meter low hurdles and should finish near the front in the 100 highs.

Grayson led long-jump qualifying last week and could also finish in the top three in the 100 and 200.

Smith could challenge in the 400, but has been slowed by a sore hamstring.

“It gives her problems in the final straightaway,” Hein said of Smith. “She runs very nicely for the first [300], but then the bear jumps on the leg.”

Juniors Monia Calhoun, third in shotput qualifying, and Lynquisha Melton, sixth in the triple jump, also could score for Taft.

“We think we can [win] if everything falls into place,” Hein said. “But I’m sure Dorsey feels the same way.”

Dorsey, led by senior sprinter-long jumper Clarence Scott, is also favored to win its third boys’ title in four years. Crenshaw and El Camino Real, which have never won City titles, are expected to be the Dons’ biggest challengers.

Roderick Crow of El Camino Real is favored in the 400 meters and should contend for top-four finishes in the 200 and triple jump.

Ted Peszynski and Ali Benmohamed of Monroe, Scott Lurth of Chatsworth and Tiffany Burgess of Birmingham also are expected to contend for titles.

Peszynski was leading qualifier in the 800 and Benmohamed is expected to battle Eduardo Sanchez of Garfield in the 1,600. Lurth is favored in the high jump and freshman Burgess won preliminary heats in the girls’ 800 and 1,600.