Track & Field Tops Division I Competitors for Second Time this Season
The Riverside City College track & field program has been pacing the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) in various events since the beginning of the season. From school records to state-pacing marks, the Tigers have not slowed down by the slightest bit. Riverside has been unleashing state-pacing times against top-notch competition ranging from the Division I, II, III, NAIA, and community college levels. The Tigers took their talents to the grand stage once against at the 2018 Bob Larsen Distance Carnival & Jim Bush Legends Invitational and swept the competition with both sides hauling in first-place finishes.
The men had a strong day by earning first place after accumulating a total points mark of 237.5. They edged out Big Ten-member University of Minnesota by 15.5 points, backed by a routing Cal State Los Angeles by 95.5 points.
Freshman Antonio Mitchell continued to impress for Riverside as he earned a first-place finish in the 100M with a mark of 10.46, which was 0.28 seconds faster than the second-place competitor. He continued on to place first in the 200M with a time of 20.99 which is now ranked as the second-fastest time in the community college field. Freshman Keylan Dennis followed with a second-place finish in the 200M with a clip of 21.14 and now ranks third in the state.
Sophomore Alec Hall and freshman Enrique Villa continue to perform well in the 800M as Riverside swept the podium. Hall earned a first place nod with a time of 1:52.05, while Villa earned a 1:54.14 mark to take second place. Their times now sit consecutively in the state at the top of the list. Freshman Delton Woods followed with a third place finish in the 800M with a mark of 1:55.21.
Sophomore Anthony Butts and freshman Dillon Lay placed second and third, respectfully, in the 400M Hurdles. Butts earned a time of 54.45, while Lay earned a mark of 55.73.
Freshman Alec Jones hauled in a set of first-place finishes coming in the Hammer and the Discus. He tossed a 159' 9" in the Hammer which was just over four meters further than the second-place finisher. He backed his performance with a 160' 1" hurl in the Discus to just top sophomore Jordan Davis' clip of 157' 7".
The women worked towards a dominant day by earning a total points mark of 189, which was 14 points better than Pac-12 UCLA. They also edged Cal State Los Angeles by 17 points.
Sophomore Sarah Hollis earned a victory in the 3000M Steeplechase while earning a time of 11:41.17. Her time stands as the top mark in state. She continued on to place second in the 10,000M with a clip of 38:44.62.
Sophomore Clarissa Gomez earned second-place showing in the 3000M Steeplechase with a time of 12:22.39 which stands as the sixth-best clip in the state. Freshman Maribel Madera followed with a third-place showing of 14:09.63 to rank 16th in the state.
Freshman Maryjane Smith earned a third-place finish in the 200M with a mark of 26.05 which now stands as the 16th-strongest time in the state. She capped her day with a first-place showing in the 400M with a mark of 57.71. Sophomore Argnae Meyers backed her with a fourth-place showing with a time of 26.18.
Sophomore Makenzie Matteson stands 13th in the state with a time of 59.93 in the 400M, while sophomore Dehjiah Joseph followed in the 400M Hurdles with a finishing mark of 1:05.56. Freshman Sha'quan Matthews and sophomore Valentina Sanabria finished consecutively in the 100M Hurdles with Matthews earing a clip of 15.71 and Sanabria crossing the finish line at a clip of 16.01.
Sophomore Karen Orozco reigned supreme in the Pole Vault with a clip of 10' 2" as well.
The Tigers will continue action on Tuesday, April 3rd in the Southern California Heptathlon & Decathlon followed by the Cerritos Invitational on Friday, April 13th. Both events are on the road.