Track & Field Coaching Staff Named Best in the State

Track & Field Coaching Staff Named Best in the State

After a season in which the men's track and field team hauled in the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship and the women's track & field team earned second place, all three coaches hauled in CCCAA State Coach of the Year honors.

Men's Head Coach Jim McCarron earns his third Coach of the Year honor. He was named the 2010 Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2010 and the 2017 Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

"It makes me so proud to get this award alongside coach Smith and Coach Robinson," said McCarron. "We have a fantastic coaching staff who works hard to guide student-athletes to the next level. Winning state is very difficult to do and the fact that we are in the game every year to win it says a lot about our coaching staff."

McCarron earned the 14th state title in RCC men's track & field history and ninth under his leadership. His team was the lone competitor to score in triple digit points with a total of 116. McCarron is arguably one of the most decorated coaches at RCC as both hands are nearly complete with a ring for each finger.

Women's Head Coach Damien Smith was named the state's Co-Coach of the Year after leading his team to a second-place finish – the highest finish in many years. He has worked his way up the ranks in the community college field after being named the state's Women's Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year in 2008.

"I am honored to receive this recognition," said Smith. "This award comes from a collective effort of my coaching staff, our student-athletes and our support staff. I am blessed to have an amazing women's team. We all worked very hard at being successful. It feels good to know that all of the work we put in is being appreciated."

While he is in charge of the women's team, he is an expert in the sprinting events for both teams. He saw sophomore Antonio Mitchell snap the RCC record in the 100 M with a time of 10.12. Mitchell was also the state's Runner of the Meet after earning gold medals in the 100 M, 200 M and the member of the 4 x 100 M Relay.

Nick Robinson was named the Men's Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year. He led the Tigers throws department by coaching Alec Jones to a state title in the Hammer and placing second in the Discus. Furthermore, sophomore Angelique Hudson earned the gold in the Shot Put.