Spring Sports : TRACK AND FIELD

After beginning her high school career as a prominent runner in the 400 meters, Malika Edmonson of Playa del Rey St. Bernard is now distinguishing herself as a top sprinter. At the Southern Section Division III finals last Saturday, Edmonson, a junior, won the 100 in 11.79 seconds and the 200 in 23.57. Her 200 time was the fastest for any division, and her 100 time was the second best. “I want my daughter to be versatile because I think it will help her marketability when it comes to selecting a college,” said Warren Edmonson, Malika’s father, who was a sprint champion at UCLA in the 1970s. Edmonson, who will compete in the Masters Meet on Friday night at Cerritos College, will also run on the school’s 400- and 1,600-meter relay teams. . . . The Masters Meet starts at 4:30 p.m. with field events, followed by running events at 6. The top five finishers qualify for the state meet, May 31-June 1 at Cerritos College. . . . To attract more spectators, City Section officials have moved back the start of today’s finals. The running events begin at 6 p.m., 1 1/2 hours later than normal. The finals are being held at Van Nuys Birmingham High, and the top three finishers qualify for the state meet. . . . Pasadena Muir girls’ Coach Jim Brownfield is stepping down after 12 seasons. Brownfield won the Pacific League title every year and his teams have won 95 dual meets in a row. The Mustangs also won state titles in 1985 and ’89.