Fairfax Star Wins Twice

While it wasn’t quite his best time of the season, it was impressive by any standard.

After all, Fairfax High sprinter Phillip Francis was running into a head wind in the 100-meter dash.

That didn’t stop the senior from winning the event in a swift 10.58 seconds Thursday in the Los Angeles City Section Track and Field Championships at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

Francis came close to his top time of 10.52 seconds, which is the best in the state this season.

Francis also won the 200 meters in a career-best 21.38 seconds.

Francis is confident as he approaches the state meet June 1-2 in Sacramento.

“I think right now my body feels very fresh and strong,” he said. “Right now I’m set to run a 10.21 in the 100 and a 20.6 in the 200.”

Francis was the only competitor in the boys’ division to win two events.

Taft won the boys’ division for the second year in a row. The Toreadors were led by Chris Morgan, who won the 110 high hurdles in 13.89 seconds, finished second in the long jump and was third in the 100 meters.

In the girls’ division, Birmingham won its first title.

The Patriots were led by Melissa Astete, who set a City record of 12-7 in the pole vault to lead her team to 1-2-3 finish in the event.

Schquay Brignac of Taft also set a City record of 5-foot-9 in the high jump.

Brynne Steward of Cleveland was also a double winner in the 100 high hurdles and the 300 low hurdles.