Track & Field Racks Up Numerous OEC All-Conference Accolades
As the spring continues, so does the Riverside City College Track & Field program. So far, they have won a dual championship as seen in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championships in late April and are currently competing at the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regionals. Amidst the postseason excitement, the Tigers earned a grip of OEC All-Conference awards to highlight their accomplishments. Sophomore Alec Hall and freshman Jamal Palmer were named the OEC Co-Track Athletes of the Year, freshman Jordan Davis reeled in the OEC Field Athlete of the Year, and sophomore Sarah Hollis was named the OEC Women's Track Athlete of the Year. Furthermore, both Jim McCarron and Damien Smith were named the Track & Field Coaches of the Year for their respected teams.
Hall was a mainstay for the Tigers throughout the year as he consistently landed on the podium in the 800M and 1500M. He reigned supreme in both events at the OEC Championships by clocking a time of 4:10.38 in the 1500M and a mark of 1:55.68 in the 800M. Currently, Hall ranks tops in the state in the 800M after earning a season-best time of 1:52.05 at the Jim Bush/Bob Larsen Invitational in late March. He also ranks fourth in the 1500M boasting a clip of 3:54.54.
Palmer came on strong in the latter part of the season by hauling in two gold medals at the OEC Championships. He snapped the tape in the 100M with a time of 10.52 and earned a 200M mark of 21.14. Furthermore, he was on the 4 X 100 Relay that won first place. After his pair of gold medal performances, he ranks top-10 in state with a fifth-best 200M mark and a seventh best 100M time.
Davis was a beast in the throwing events as he won the Shot Put and the Discus. He earned a 47' 3.5" mark in the Shot Put and a 159' 5" mark in the Discus. On a state level, he ranks third in the Shot Put with a season-best mark of 49' 6.5" and fifth in the Discus with a season-best clip of 161' 9".
Hollis is now considered one of the most decorated female track athletes in the history of Riverside athletics. Hollis competed in six different events this season and honed in on mastering a trio consisting of the 5,000M, 10,000M, and the 3,000M Steeplechase. Hollis began with the steeplechase and wiped the track with the competition by earning a time of 11:31.21 – nearly a minute faster than her fellow competitors. She continued on to dominate the 5,000M by routing the field by approximately two minutes with a mark of 18:15.81. She followed with a first-place finish in the 10,000M with a time of 39:26.69. On a state level, she ranks first in the 3,000M (10:24.67 at the Rafer Johnson Invitational) and the 3,000M Steeplechase (OEC Championship mark).
McCarron continues his reign as the strongest and most decorated coach for the past decade plus in the conference. He has now hauled in his 12th-straight Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year award after earning his 12th-straight conference title. Amongst many highlights, he led his team to a record-breaking 522 overall points at the OEC Championships. Additionally, he has coached his team to hold 12 top-five marks in different events on a state level and has not placed lower than second throughout the entire season.
Smith earned his eight-straight Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year award after leading his team to an OEC title – the 10th straight and 17th in program history. His team did not place lower than third all season highlighted by sweeping conference play. He has coached multiple top state marks this season as highlighted by Sarah Hollis' times.