THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

A look at the preseason top 10 girls’ track and field teams in the Southland:

1. Long Beach Poly (SS-Div. I)

The return of sprinters Shalonda Solomon, Jasmine Lee and Chanda Picott and hurdler Tunisia Johnson made the Jackrabbits state-title contenders. The transfers of Dominique Dorsey and Shauntae McKinney stamped them as favorites.

2. Riverside North (SS-Div. I)

Huskies have defending state champions in high jumper Chaunte Howard and 300-meter low hurdler Ashlee Brown and a talented group of sprinters led by Tracee Thomas.

3. Gahr (SS-Div. II)

Angel Perkins, the defending state and world youth champion in the 200 meters, garners all the attention for the Gladiators. But she has talented teammates in sprinter Whitney Graham, hurdler Valencia Augustine and triple jumper Nicole Duhart.

4. Long Beach Wilson (SS-Div. I)

Lashinda Demus, Track & Field News magazine’s two-time national girls’ athlete of the year, graduated last June, but Ashley Freeman gives the Bruins a talented performer in the 400 and 800.

5. Woodbridge (SS-Div. II)

Warriors have the top returning long jumper and triple jumper in the state in Michelle Sanford, the daughter of former USC sprinter James Sanford. She has talented teammates in high jumper Stephanie Marks and distance runner Jenny Sears.

6. Esperanza (SS-Div. I)

Hurdler Julie Handy, middle-distance runner Shalice Pugmire and shotputter Kristy Chester give the Aztecs a wide array of talent.

7. Arroyo Grande (SS-Div. I)

Rachael Viau tied for second in the pole vault in the state championships, and Billie Jo Grant was fourth for the Eagles.

8. Birmingham (City)

Vonnie Fulford and Vincetta Mendola give the defending City Section champion Patriots a good 1-2 punch in the sprints, as do Michelle Rivera and Jessica Alas in the pole vault.

9. Cleveland (City)

Hurdlers Brynne Steward and Dana Rattler and sprinter Michelle Stinnette return for a Cavalier team that placed second to Birmingham in the City championships.

10. L.A. Baptist (SS-Div. IV)

Allyson Felix is the defending state champion in the 100 and was runner-up in the 200 last year, but the team is not expected to have the depth of those ranked ahead of it.