Flores Is Impressive, Taft Sweeps Titles

For much of her senior season, distance runner Valerie Flores of San Pedro High has been slowed by a hip injury.

But if her performance in the City track and field finals Thursday at Birmingham High in Van Nuys is any indication, she is finally returning to top form.

Flores survived a strong challenge from Natalie Stein of North Hollywood to win the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

Flores, who has signed a letter of intent with UCLA, won the 1,600 in 5 minutes 4.36 seconds and the 3,200 in 11:07.94. It was the third year in a row that she won the 3,200 and the second consecutive time she won the 1,600.

She said it helped to be tested by Stein, who finished second in both events.

“She challenged me more than she has before,” Flores said. “I could tell she wanted it but I wanted it more.”

Flores’ performance helped San Pedro finish fourth in the girls’ division with 48 points.

Taft won the girls’ division for the third consecutive year with 80 points, six ahead of second-place Birmingham.

The Toreadors also captured the boys’ division for the first time since 1987. It ended a string of four consecutive titles for Dorsey.

The Taft boys were led by Chris Morgan, who won the 110-meter high hurdles (14.07 seconds) and the long jump (22 feet 9 1/2 inches) and finished second in the 100 meters. Teammate Fred Williams won the 100 (10.68) and 200 (21.12).

Taft’s girls were led by Deneeka Torrey, who won the 100-meter high hurdles (14.60) and the 300-meter low hurdles (43.20).

The only triple winner was Alexis Weatherspoon of Grant in the girls’ 100 (11.77), 200 (24.20) and long jump (18-7).

Cleveland High’s Jessica Cosby set a City meet record of 48-6 in the girls’ shot put and became the first to win an event four years in a row.

Melissa Astete also broke her meet record in the girl’s pole vault at 12-0 1/4.