Felix Chosen Girls’ Athlete of the Year

Sprinter Allyson Felix, a recent graduate of North Hills Los Angeles Baptist High, has been selected the Gatorade national high school girls’ athlete of the year.

Gatorade, which has honored athletes of the year in 10 sports for 18 years, also announced basketball player LeBron James is the boys’ athlete of the year. This is the first year Gatorade has honored an overall boys’ and girls’ athlete of the year.

Felix, a repeat state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, ran the fastest 200 by a woman in the world this year when she won at the Banamex Grand Prix meet in Mexico City in 22.11 seconds, besting the world junior (19 and under) record of 22.19 set by Russian Natalya Bochina in 1980.

Felix has signed a letter of intent with USC, but there is a chance that she might sign a lucrative contract with one of the major shoe companies and compete as a professional next year.

James was the No. 1 overall selection in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Olympians Margie Engle and Laura Kraut of the United States are scheduled to compete in the third Oaks Blenheim International show jumping competition, which runs today through Sunday at Oaks Blenheim Exhibition in San Juan Capistrano.

Information: (949) 443-1844 or www.blenheimequisports.com.

The Nike 7-on-7 Southern California championships for high school football passing teams will begin at 3 p.m. today at Long Beach Veterans Stadium, with the final set for 6 p.m.

The eight teams competing will be Canyon Country Canyon, Carlsbad, Newhall Hart, Venice, Mission Viejo, Santa Ana Mater Dei, West Covina South Hills and Culver City.

Admission is free.