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Smith, Lavaki Take Home Top OEC Honors
Following Riverside City College's 12th consecutive Orange Empire Conference Championship, Jolene Ruth Lavaki and Damien Smith grabbed postseason honors.
Smith was named the OEC Women's Coach of the Year for the 12th year in a row after leading the Tigers to their 19th overall team championship with 344 points – 120 points more than the runner-up.
Lavaki earned Women's Track Athlete of the Year after claiming four individual OEC championships. The sophomore took home the 100-meter dash title in 12.13 seconds and won the 200-meter in 24.87 seconds. She also was a member of both Tiger relay teams, helping win the 4x100 in 41.70 seconds and the 4x400 in 3:57.41.