The best two track and field teams in the Ocean League lock horns this afternoon at 2:45 when Culver City High School hosts Santa Monica as they battle for the league dual meet title.

Fast times on the track and top marks in the field events will be on display.

“Tough competition for the boys and the girls teams,” said Culver City Coach Jahmal Wright.  “Santa Monica is the defending champion. We will have to be at our best. We have a fighting chance if we do what we need to do.”

The Centaurs can start off the boys and girls running events with a strong showing in the 4 x 100 meter relay.  The boys team is coming off of an impressive performance at the Arcadia Invitational last Saturday. Their time of 42.53 was good for second place in the open division against some of the best competition in Southern California.

The team of Cahlil Hooper, Cameron Hooper, Donovan Davis and Jerrett Anderson, will needs another blazing performance against Santa Monica.

One member is confident. “We should do really well against them,” said Anderson after running a 22.28 in the 200 meters last week against Hawthorne and El Segundo.

Culver City has always had speed.

Today their distance runners will have to come up big to prevail.  Abraham Vasquez, Max Jordan and Max Flynn are capablem of winning, says distance coach Tom Fitzius.

“Santa Monica is good, but we have pretty good runners, too,” said Fitzius.  “It will be interesting because there are a lot of good young runners in the league.”

The girls, coached by former USC All-American Rayfield Beaton,  are led by Joylyn Dailey, Veronica Mendez and Isis Golden, Amber Wacker in the sprints, Cedrinae Thompson, Nia Garcia in the hurdles and Garcia, Golden and Natasha Bradley in the long jump.

“We have a lot of work to do,” said Beaton.  “There is another level we want to get to.  Santa Monica is a big rival. We need to stay focused and be ready for the challenge.”

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com