Weatherspoon Triple Crown

Fastest woman in Los Angeles. That’s what 16-year-old Alexis Weatherspoon of Grant High has achieved.

She’s becoming a teen idol in City Section track, dominating the sprint events with bursts of speed and power that keep leaving competitors far behind.

During the City Championships on Thursday at Birmingham High, Weatherspoon won the 100 meters in 11.77 seconds and the 200 in 24.20. It was the second consecutive year she swept the two events. She also finished first in the long jump at 18-7.

What a role model she has become not only for teammates but for her brother, Ronnie, a Grant freshman who finished second in the freshman-sophomore 400 and won the 200.

“She’s one of the strongest people I know,” Ronnie said. “I learned you have to have dedication. I admire that she can keep a good grade-point average and be a top athlete.”

It’s not only Weatherspoon’s quickness that has elevated her to the top in City track. It’s her relentless pursuit for excellence in all areas. She’s an All-City basketball player and top student.

Winning medals have a different meaning to her.

“They’re insignificant objects for me but represent how hard I work,” she said. “I guess I was made for sports. Some people were born to be actors, singers or dancers. I was born to be a competitor. Regardless of the situation, I’m going to be competitive. It’s who has more heart, it’s who wants to practice harder. I don’t run to place second. I run to win.”

Weatherspoon’s determination comes through with every stride.

“She has a real fire inside her that keeps her going,” Coach Miguel Gonzalez of Grant said.

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Bob Pullard’s 31-year-old City record in the pole vault still stands--barely. Shane Hackett of Verdugo Hills missed three times at 16-7 1/2, failing to topple the record of 16-7 established in 1969. It’s the oldest record in the City.

“It seems to have a curse on it,” said the UCLA-bound Hackett, who won the event at 16-2.

Hackett was at his best, clearing 13-0, 14-7, 15-2, 15-8 and 16-2 on his first attempts. He got off two decent attempts at 16-7 1/2.

His consistency makes him a threat to win the state title next weekend in Cerritos.