Prep talk: Long Beach Poly freshman track star Laila Kirk receives billboard

There are several Nike-sponsored billboards popping up around town featuring Long Beach Poly freshman 800-meter runner Laila Kirk, who is a two-time AAU national champion.

This sets the stage for his high school debut this spring for the Jackrabbits.

She certainly has many connections to athletics.

His mother, Angelita, ran track at Poly and Washington State. His father, Lamarr, ran track at Dorsey and Washington state. Her grandmother, Margaret Hemmans-Green, ran track at Manual Arts and El Camino College. His grandfather, Ted Green, was a long jumper at Manual Arts.

Laila ran a best 800m time of 2:07 last spring. She also ran the 400m in 54.72.

Long Beach Poly has a long history of producing outstanding track and field athletes, but few 14-year-olds have appeared on billboards before their first high school race.

This is a daily look at positive happenings in high school sports. To submit news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.