Great Scott, Dorsey Senior Wins Just About Everything

Clarence Scott distinguished himself as the top high school long jumper in the nation last year after he won the State meet in impressive fashion.

But Scott, a senior at Dorsey, is more than a jumper this season. He proved that by adding victories in the 100 and 200 meters and the 400 relay at the City Section finals Thursday at Van Nuys Birmingham High.

That was in addition, of course, to yet another first-place finish in the long jump.

The three individual titles easily helped Dorsey to its third team title in the last four years with 73 points. Crenshaw finished second with 52 1/2 points, and defending champion Westchester was third with 31.

The Dorsey girls completed the sweep by defending their team title with 80 points. Westchester was second with 51 points, and Woodland Hills Taft finished third with 48.

The top three finishers in each event automatically qualified for the State meet, which will be held next Friday and Saturday at Cerritos College.

Before 5,000, Scott was the attention grabber. After beginning the day by defending his long jump title with a mark of 24 feet 3 1/4 inches, he showed his speed by making up five meters on Crenshaw on the final leg of the 400 relay. The Dons’ time of 41.69 is one of the best in the state this season.

Moments later, Scott won the 100 in 10.68, and finished the day with a victory in the 200 in 21.36.

Coming into Thursday’s meet, Scott had personal bests of 10.59 in the 100, 21.24 in the 200 and 25-4 1/2 in the long jump, which place him among the national leaders in each event. He should have little trouble defending his long jump title at the State meet and will be a top contender in the sprints.

As a junior, Scott attended Fremont and didn’t spend as much time on the track. That changed when he transferred to Dorsey over the summer. His club coach, James Robertson, put Scott on a rigorous weight-training schedule and made him run the 800 for the first month of the season.

“The idea was to build up his strength because he already had the speed,” Robertson said. “It’s obviously working.”

Scott is enjoying his newfound success on the track.

“The long jump is still my event, but the 100 has been getting most of my attention lately,” he said.

Scott wasn’t the only sprinter who made an impression Thursday. Hamilton senior LaTroya Mucker had a rare individual triple by winning the 100 (12.24), 200 (24.45) and 400 (56.26). She also anchored her team’s 400 relay to a third-place finish.