For the seventh consecutive season, the Riverside City College track and field program has hauled in a dual Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championship. The Tigers continued to make history on Friday night as the men and women hauled in the first-place honors by a landslide. The men racked up a total of 447.5 points which is the second highest points mark in conference history, while the women followed with 338.5 points which is the third-highest tally in conference history.
The men hauled in their 22nd title in school history and their 13th conference title. They accomplished this feat by winning nine of the 10 sprinting events and five of eight field events.
The women earned their 10th consecutive title and 17th in program history. They snapped the tape in eight sprinting events and five field events.
Sophomore distance runner Enrique Villa capped of his conference competition in style with a first place finish in the 800 M (1:57.39) and the 1,500 M (4:06.15). Sophomore Austin Dai finished off the distance events with a gold medal mark in the 5,000 M (15:42.36).
The relays boded well for the Tigers as both the 4 x 100 M Relay (41.03) and the 4 x 400 M Relay (3:17.48) teams dominated the track. Sophomore Antonio Mitchell, sophomore Jamal Palmer, freshman Daniel Smith and sophomore Keylan Dennis made up the 400 M, while sophomore Philip Griggs, sophomore Torre Smith, freshman Evan Vigrass and Mitchell teamed up for the 1,600 M.
Sophomore Dillon Lay earned a first-place finish in the 110 M Hurdles (14.97), while finishing second in the 400 M Hurdles (53.60). Mitchell continued to anchor the conference and state with a victory in the 100 M (10.53). Freshman Jabriel Smith finished second (10.60), while Palmar finished third (10.69). Furthermore, Mitchell placed first in the 200 M (21.22).
Sophomore Alec Jones capped his conference career with a victory in the Hammer (176' 4") and the Discus (156' 1"). He followed with a second place finish in the Shot Put (50' 2").
Sophomore Justin Reed placed first in the Long Jump (22' 10.5") after taking the lead in the event in the final attempt. Sophomore Tyler Harp rounded out the top finishes for Riverside with a top mark in the Pole Vault (15' 6.25").
For the women, freshman Tayler Salley earned pair of top finishes coming in the Hammer (158'8") and the Discus (125' 10"). She won by nearly 40' in the Hammer and 6' in the Discus. Sophomore Gabriela Sanabria hauled in the gold medal in the Javelin (119' 9"). Sophomore Angelique Hudson earned her second-straight crown in the Shot Put (43' 8.75").
Sophomore Karen Orozco placed first in the Pole Vault (10' 8" for the second-consecutive season.
Freshman Annayah Pelt continued her strong performance with a first place finish in the 400 M (58.44), while freshman Alana Wilson earned a top mark in the 100 M (12.11) and the 200 M (24.87).
Sophomore Sha'quan Matthews crossed the finish line first in the 100 M Hurdles (15.21), while sophomore Madeline Corner earned a winning clip in the 400 M Hurdles (1:03.54).
Sophomore Sujey Esteva reigned supreme in the 5,000 M (19:08.67) as she finished approximately five seconds before sophomore teammate Maribel Madera (19:13.30) who landed in second place.
Riverside will continue its chase for a state title on Saturday, May 4 as they will host the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern Regionals at Wheelock Stadium. Visit www.rccahtletics.com for all details.