HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD : STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : Sprints May Determine Team Titles

Undefeated sprinters Ricky Carrigan of Compton and Marion Jones of Oxnard Rio Mesa will try to lead their schools to team titles when the top prep track athletes in California compete in the state track and field meet today and Saturday at Cerritos College.

Field events will begin at 3 p.m. and the first running event is at 5. Saturday, the field events will start at 5 p.m., the first running event at 6.

Carrigan, the Southern Section 4-A Division champion at 100 and 200 meters, will run in both events and will anchor the Tarbabes’ 400-meter relay team. He and Edwin Hervey, one of the top 400-meter qualifiers, are expected to lead Compton to the boys’ team title. Anaheim Esperanza, with Mark Parlin favored in the shotput and discus, is expected to challenge Compton for the championship.

Bryan Woodward of Long Beach Poly is the favorite at 800 meters after winning in last week’s Masters meet. Dan Niednagel of Dana Point Dana Hills and Mike Terry of Orange El Modena loom as his strongest challengers.

In the 1,600 meters, Louie Quintana of Arroyo Grande--the national cross-country champion--is the favorite after posting a time of 4 minutes 09.94 seconds in the Masters meet.

In the high jump, defending champion Kevin Carlson of Anaheim Katella will be tested by Tim Ruck of Milpitas. Carlson cleared 6-10 in the Masters meet.

In the girls’ competition, Jones, defending state champion at 100 and 200 meters, has national-best marks of 11.28 and 22.87 in her specialties. She will also anchor the Spartans’ 400-meter relay team. Rio Mesa also could get points from Alycia Burnham in the 100-meter low hurdles and the long jump.

Rio Mesa will be challenged by Inglewood Morningside, which has several qualifiers in this weekend’s finals.

The Lady Monarchs will be led by Santisha Arnold and Tae-Ne Gibson in the 100 and 200, LaShawn Stringer in the 400, Shirena Harris in the triple jump, and the 400-meter relay team.