Leon NorCal 10k Champion

The second scored event of the 2015 Northern California Track & Field Championships was held on Friday at the College of San Mateo as part of the qualifying trials for all other events. Sophomore Diego Leon was victorious in the 10,000 meter run in 31:14.83. He becomes the first Northern California champion for Hartnell College in the event since Daniel Tapia won in 2009. Leon garnered 10 points for the Hartnell men and combined with Luis Vargas getting sixth in 33:51.26, the Panthers earned 13 points to add to decathlete Chase Pacheco's 10 points for winning the regional decathlon title. The Panthers lead defending team champion American River College 23 to 15 after the first two events. For the Hartnell ladies, five women scored in the 10,000 meter run also giving Hartnell College an early lead in the team standings with 27 points to second place American River College at 18 points. Freshman Malena Grover placed third overall in 39:14.43, Brandi Hobson fourth (40:48.48), Maritza Ruelas fifth (41:12.68), Cynthia Tovar seventh (41:37.37), and Nancy Rodriguez eighth (41:41.93). For Grover, her time is the fifth best in school history for the 25 lap distance race.

Panther men who advanced from the trials to next week's finals at American River College were Dustin Samms (hammer), Frankie Gutierrez (javelin), Marcus Washington (long jump) and Chase Pacheco (long jump and high school). Samms moves on to the hammer throw final with the second best preliminary toss at 174'6". Gutierrez also advanced in the runner-up spot with a new personal best heave of 180'2". The mark moves Gutierrez to tenth best all-time and the former Hollister Baler could be Hartnell's first javelin thrower to eclipse 190 feet since 1991 when Ron Guzman set the current school record at 202'6".

Linda Delgado lead the Lady Panther qualifiers to finals with her season best 58.71 in the 400 meters. Her mark is the fourth best heading into the finals next week. Taylor Blaha advanced in the triple jump and long jump. Malena Grover and Brandi Hobson advanced to the 1500 meter final after running the 10,000 meter race. The women's 4x400 relay of Delgado, Blaha, Grover, and Lizette Garcia ran a season best 4:10.92 to qualify. The 4x100 relay team of Delgado, Blaha, Maribel Ortega, and Celina Murillo advanced with a time of 50.28.

For full Norcal Trials/10k Finals results: http://www.directathletics.com/results/track/37730.html