FLETCHER TAKES 100 YET AGAIN.

Byline: Kathy Orton Daily News Staff Writer

Sprint races are often the most thrilling events in track and field meets.

At the Mission League finals, held Friday at the University of La Verne, the boys' 100-meter dash was also the most controversial.

There was little doubt who won the race. Miguel Fletcher, the sophomore standout from Alemany High School, showed why he is being compared to former Taft star and world champion Quincy Watts.

Fletcher, outdistanced the field, finishing in 10.60 seconds to defend his league title.

But who took second, third, and fourth was up for grabs.

``I trust their judgment on their decision,'' Alemany coach Dimitri Lagos said. ``But I think when it comes down to qualifying some sort of different system should apply.''

The unofficial hand-times had Alemany senior Mario Thompson in second but Acutrack showed he placed fourth - out of Southern Section preliminary qualification.

Alemany protested, but to no avail. In the end, Harvard-Westlake's Steve Durbin took second and Notre Dame's Troy Garner was third. After the race, Garner scratched from the event, allowing Thompson to advance. Thompson also qualified in the 200 and 1600 relay.

Fletcher, also defended his 200 title, winning in 21.33. Shaluinn Fullove of Louisville dominated the distance events, winning the 800 (2:16.76), 1600 (5:06.74) and 3200 (11:15.80) handily. She was also part of the Louisville girls' 1600-relay team that comfortably finished first in 4:03.11.

Brian Thoma of Chaminade broke the 40-second barrier for the first time this year in the boys' 300 intermediate hurdles, winning in 39.62. He also came in first in the 110 high hurdles (15.63).

Freshman Tiffany Thompson demonstrated that Fletcher isn't Alemany's only talented sprinter. She won the 200 (25.39) and 400 (57.58). Her time in the 400 broke the previous school record held by Colleen Gavin (57.93). Thompson also ran a strong anchor leg in the 400 relay which Alemany won (50.66).

Ashley Ritter of Notre Dame made a final surge at the end to finish ahead of the field in a girls'100 race that was as thrilling as the boys' 100.

Ritter's time of 13.10 was just 9/100ths better than freshman Danielle Evans of Harvard-Westlake.

Liz Giltner of Chaminade defended three of her four league titles, winning the long jump (17 feet-7-1/4 inches), high jump (5-6), 100 hurdles (15.46). Giltner chose not to compete in the 200 because of her training for the Junior Nationals next month.

The Notre Dame boys' 400 relay team of Bryan Hayes, Troy Garner, Chris Forde and Alvan Arzu broke the 42-second mark for the first time this season, running 41.95. Notre Dame sophomore Justin Fargas won the triple jump at 44-1-1/2.

Another Harvard-Westlake freshman, Becky Rauth, had a strong meet. Rauth finished the 300 hurdles in 37.36 and finished second to Giltner in the 100 hurdles.

The Alemany boys' 400 relay team expected to qualify, but did not finish because of a dropped baton during the second handoff.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Alemany sophomore Miguel Fletcher, who some ar e comparing to former Taft star Quincy Watts, wins his second 100-meter dash.

(2) Louisville's Shaluinn Fullove, one of the area's best distance runners, wins one of her three events, the 1,600, at the Mission League track championships. She also won the 800- and 3,200-meter events.

Evan Yee / Daily News