HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD : Divisional Championships at Cerritos

Sprinters Marion Jones of Oxnard Rio Mesa High and Ricky Carrigan of Compton will be the featured performers in the 78th annual Southern Section divisional track and field meet today at Cerritos College. Field events will start at noon, running events at 4 p.m.

Competitors qualified in intradivisional preliminaries last weekend. The top nine athletes in each event will advance to the Masters’ meet next weekend at Cerritos.

Jones, defending State girls’ champion in the 100 and 200 meters, is expected to lead Rio Mesa to its second consecutive 3-A Division title. A sophomore, she is the top qualifier in the 100, 200 and 400 and anchors the Spartans’ 400-meter relay team.

Carrigan, who has not lost an individual race this season, is a favorite in four events in the boys’ 4-A Division. Carrigan, who finished fifth in last year’s State 200 final, will run the 100 and 200 and anchor the Tarbabes’ 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams.

Other favorites in the boys’ competition include Louie Quintana of Arroyo Grande, a two-time 2-A Division champion in the 1,600 meters who will run in the 3-A Division this season; Kevin Carlson of Anaheim Katella, defending State champion in the high jump, and Gerrald McCladdie of Compton Centennial in the 400.

Other leading competitors in the girls’ competition include Juliana Yendork of Walnut, defending State long jump and triple jump champion, and Deena Drossin of Agoura, defending State 3,200 champion.