Prep talk: Long Beach Polly’s new track star Leila Kirk receives a billboard

There are several Nike-sponsored billboards popping up around town featuring Long Beach Poly’s new 800-meter runner Layla Kirk, a two-time AAU national champion.

She is paving the way for her high school debut this spring for the Jackrabbits.

She definitely has a lot of connections in track and field.

Her mother, Angelita, ran at Poly and Washington State. Her father, Lamar, ran track at Dorsey and Washington State. Her grandmother, Margaret Hemans Green, ran manual arts and El Camino College. Her grandfather, Ted Green, was a long jumper in the manual arts.

Layla had a top 800 time of 2:07 last spring. She also ran the 400 in 54.72.

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

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