Men’s Track & Field Wins RCC Invitational

It was a strong showing for the Riverside City College men's track and field team as they played host to multiple Division I, II and two-year schools at the Riverside City College Invitational on Friday. In the final home meet of the season, the Tigers defeated the defending California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Champion Mt. San Antonio College Mounties along with UC Riverside and other two-year schools.

It was the final track and field meet on the current turf field and track and Riverside came to play. They accumulated 205 points which was 18 points better than the Mounties. The Highlanders scored 128 points to place third overall.

The turf is set to be renovated starting on Monday, March 6 as the field was deemed unsafe to participate late last Fall. The RCC District allocated $7.7 million to redo the turf and track shortly after it was exiled.

Sophomore Donal Aluesi finished atop the field in the Hammer (173' 9") and Shot Put (51' 2 ¾") for the third-consecutive meet.

"I feel great," said Aluesi. "I try to take it step-by-step during every meet while I try to make small corrections so my throws will come out better."

Aluesi is a favorite to make a push for an individual state championship in both events. His preparation is detailed and focused day in and day out.

"It is a lot of mental preparation. It is making sure that you are consistent. I focus on eating healthy and keeping my mind right at the meet."

Freshman Anthony McCullough hauled in the gold medal in the Javelin (145' 8"), while freshman Jose Fierro-Gonzalez followed closely behind (143' 2") to earn second place. Fierro-Gonzalez followed with a silver medal showing in the Discus (121' 4").

Joshua Hornsby led the sprints squad by snapping the tape in the 110 M Hurdles (14.05). He followed with a fifth-place finish in the 200 M (22.25).

"This is my opener, so I am not exactly where I want to be, but I am close," said Hornsby after his showing. "We still have work to do."

Freshman Mekhi Gilmore, freshman Elijah Davis, Boykins and Hornsby were members of a second-place finish in the 1600 M Relay (3:18.75).

Sophomore Darius Hill topped the field in the High Jump (6' 8") to highlighted the jumps team.

Sophomore Ernesto Ruiz placed first in the 3000 M Steeplechase (9:51.74), backed by a second-place finish from sophomore Vincent Navarro (10:14.42). Ruiz continued on to place second in the 3000 M (8:55.63). Sophomore Gavyn Condit rounded out the podium finishers with a third-place finish in the 3000 M (8:58.77).

Kyle Reden had a strong day with a first-place finish in the 800 M (1:55.27), backed by a silver medal showing in the 1500 M (3:58.22) by hundredths of a second.

Reden has been performing at a high level all season and his preparation is a testament to his success.

"A strategy I like to use is sit and kick. I like to come in from the back and not lead the race in the beginning. For myself, I have some big goals and to get a little better every day."

Sophomore Dominic Boykins was the highest-finishing participant for a college as seen in a fifth-place finish in the 100 M (10.77)