Chatsworth’s Daniel Kamulali redeems himself with title in City Section boys’ 100 meters

Sophomore Daniel Kamulali of Chatsworth High earned the title “fastest teenager in the City Section” on Thursday night when he raced to victory in the 100 meters in 10.66 seconds at the City track and field finals at Birmingham High.

“This is a blessing -- a year of hard work,” he said.

Yes, Kamulali demonstrated how to rise up after you fall down. He promised before the race if he won, “I’m going to cry.”

A year ago in the 100 final, he injured his groin muscle and finished fifth in 11.20.

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“I had a lot of regrets not doing my best,” he said.

He was a top football player for the Chancellors in the fall, using his speed to catch 52 passes, score 10 touchdowns and average 21.8 yards per catch.

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Chatsworth sophomore win 100 meters

Now that he’s City champion in the 100 meters, the recruiters are going to be out en force.

He kept saying, “Yes” to himself after the race.

“Last year I couldn’t do it and now I proved it,” he said.

Kamulali moves on to next weekend’s state championships in Clovis.

It was a big night for Carson’s girls’ track team, led by junior Kaelin Roberts. She won the 400 in 54.03, won the 200 in 24.08 and anchored the 400-meter relay team to a City Section-record time of 45.42, breaking a 34-year-old record held by Dorsey.

It was the fastest relay time in the state this season and the team included Autumn Wright, Kenyla Miles and Kennedi Atkins. Miles also won the 100 in 11.86.

Roberts won the state title in the 400 as a freshman for Long Beach Poly, then sat out last season because of an injury at Poly before transferring to Carson. She helped lead the Colts to the girls’ team title.

Dorsey, bolstered by a number of two-sport athletes, won the boys’ team title, the 15th for Coach Ralph Tilley.

Jojo Lambey, a basketball player, led a one-two Dons finish in the triple jump with a winning effort of 45-8 1/4. Mark Nunez led another one-two Dons finish in the 400 with a winning time of 48.79. Basketball standout Tommie Groce won the high jump at 6-6.

All-City football player Marquis Williams of Garfield won the long jump with a school-record effort of 23-0 1/2.

Running simultaneously were events for the newly named Inclusive Sports. Formerly known as “AA,” these are athletes with intellectual or orthopedic disabilities. The LAUSD and City Section have been leaders in trying to create opportunities to help special education students participate in competitive sports.

At next week’s state championships there will be four events with wheelchair and ambulatory divisions.

“They’re teaching humility. They’re teaching empathy,” said Dorsey’s Peter Burns, an Inclusive Sports coach.

His only athlete, Arron James, finished second in the long jump.

The Southern Section will hold its Masters Meet on Friday at Cerritos College. The first running event goes off at 6 p.m.

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter @LATSondheimer