Track: Palisades’ Marissa Williams sets two records at City Section championships

It was quite a final impression left by Marissa Williams of Palisades on Thursday night in her final appearance at a City Section track and field final.

She set City records in the 1,600 (4:47.88) and the 3,200 (10.28.30). She won each event for the fourth time in her career.

“I’m happy, and I don’t say that very often,” she said after winning the 1,600.

Last year, she won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in an agonizing effort done simply to try to help Palisades win the team title. This time, she was running to break records and prepare for next week’s state championships in Clovis.

Asked about her achievements, Williams said, “It’s flattering, but I don’t go to bed thinking about it.”

One of the City Section’s best hopes for a state in the boys’ ranks is Justin Collins of Carson in the 300 hurdles. He won in 37.13, holding off Crenshaw’s Justin Alexander (37.41). Collins also won the 110 hurdles in 14.38. Alexander won the 400 in 49.14.

In the boys’ 100, Desmond Crutcher of Dorsey won in 10.85, upsetting Sheldon Arnold of Santee, who ran 10.90. In the girls’ 100, Jeanette Paul of Carson won in 12.31 and also won the 300 hurdles in 43.31.

Junior Michael Merchan of Marshall was a double winner, taking the 800 in 1:55.88 and the 1,600 in 4:15.81.

Carson won the boys’ team title over second-place Dorsey and took the girls’ team title over second-place El Camino Real.

The Southern Section Masters Meet will be held Friday at 6 p.m. at Cerritos College. The meet will decide qualifiers for next week’s state championships in Clovis.

Here’s the link to complete results (go to bottom).

Twitter:@LATSondheimer