Men's Track & Field Wins CCCAA Southern Regional Championships
Another year, another set of hardware.
The Riverside City College men's track and field squad continued to script its storied journey and elite postseason play by hauling in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regional Championship for the first time since 2014. They totaled 212 points which bested the second-place Mt. San Antonio College Mounties by 102 points.
[WATCH THE SOCAL REGIONAL MEET HERE]
Riverside snapped the Mounties' four-year winning SoCal winning streak in dominating fashion. The Tigers reigned supreme in seven events with multiple Tigers taking home more than one gold medal.
Sophomore Alec Jones was a monster in the throws department by racking up a pair of first-place marks. He began the day by dominating the Hammer (174' 4"), backed by a victory in the Discus (162' 9"). Jones currently holds the top mark in the state in Hammer as he enters into the state championships.
The track was left with burn marks courtesy of sophomore speedster Antonio Mitchell. Mitchell competed in a number of events and either snapped the tape or helped snap the tape in each event. Individually, he won the 100 M (10.32) by a hair. Freshman Jabriel Smith (10.34) gave him a run for his money. He continued on to place first in the 200 M (20.71) to cap his solo performances.
He was a member of two relay teams that recorded the top marks. Sophomore Jamal Palmer, sophomore Keylan Dennis and freshman William Dower joined Mitchell to land atop the podium in the 4 x 100 M Relay (40.17). He was then joined by sophomore Phil Griggs, sophomore Keanon Dennis and Key. Dennis leading to a top clip in the 4 x 400 M Relay (3:10.33).
Mitchell holds the top mark in the 100 M (10.12 – SoCal Prelims), while Riverside holds the top marks in the 4 x 100 M Relay (40.31 – Aztec Invite) entering into state.
Riverside swept the podium in the 800 M highlighted by a first place finish by Mohammed Mohammed (1:53.40). Sophomore Julian Robles placed second (1:54.49), while sophomore Enrique Villa placed third (1:54.56). Villa went on to place second in the 1,500 M (3:57.80) to continue a strong season, while Key. Dennis placed second in the 400 M (47.36). Sophomore Dillon Lay continued his hurdles prowess with a third place mark in the 400 M hurdles (54.72).
Freshman William Dower set a personal best in the High Jump (23' 3.5") to place second overall. Sophomore Justin Reed followed with the same mark earning him third place. Sophomore Tyler Harper earned a second place mark in the Pole Vault (15' 1").
Riverside will continue action on Friday, May 17 at the CCCAA State Championships in San Mateo, CA.