Leon and Pacheco State Champions for Hartnell
Sophomore Diego Leon has envisioned for almost a year how he would want his second chance at the CCCAA Track & Field Championship to go after watching last year's version where he is was stricken with a stomach virus that left him unable to compete in the events he qualified in. Leon decided he would qualify in three events and make an attempt to win all three. With an additional year's worth of training under his belt and a state cross country championship pointing him in the right direction, the former Anzar High School standout completed the rare "triple crown" this past weekend at the College of San Mateo, host of the 2015 CCCAA Track & Field Championship. Leon started his quest with an easy win Friday in the 10,000 meter run (31:20.63) that saw him reel in an early leader and win by 3 seconds over Southern California champion Ethan Walker of College of the Canyons. On Saturday, he faced the top two ranked 1500 meter community college runners in the state and dispelled them easily with a runaway win 3:53.58 after taking the lead after one lap. Leon became just the second athlete in championship history to win the three events concluding with the 5000 meters by besting the second best 5000 meter runner in the nation Conner Fisher of Cuesta College. Again, Leon lead most of the race and ran away with the title over the final 400 meters in 14:40.53 to win by 4 seconds. Only Kris Bowditch of Riverside Community College in 1995 had previously won the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meter titles in the same championship. For his efforts, Leon was named the 2015 CCCAA Male Track Athlete of the Meet. He finishes the season as the top ranked community college 5000 meter runner in the nation, the Hartnell College school record holder at 5000 meters, and the winner of the fall cross county title and three track titles.
Freshman Chase Pacheco continued his rise to stardom in the decathlon as he put together an even better ten event competition than he did to win the Northern California title. His winning point score of 6709 was 218 points ahead of Southern California champion Cade Lindsay of Mt.San Antonio College. Pacheco had decathlon season bests in the long jump (23'2.75"), shot put (33'10.75"), high jump (6'4"), 400 meters (49.41), pole vault (12'7.50"), and javelin (142'8"). Pacheco goes to second best in Hartnell College history and trails only fellow state champion Erick Knight's 6909 set in winning the 2000 state decathlon title. Pacheco will compete in one more decathlon this year, the USA Track & Field Championship decathlon in Eugene, Oregon on June 24.
Freshman Malena Grover and sophomore Rachel Shimabukuro both picked up All-American honors for their fourth place finishes. Grover completed the 5000 meter run in 17:55.96 to place fourth and finish as the second highest Northern California finisher. Shimabukuro used a last lap charge to pick up her fourth place finish in the 3000 meter steeplechase (11:35.98). It was the first trip to the state championship for both. Grover finishes the season as the Hartnell College school record holder in the 5000 meter run. Shimabukuro leaves as the second best 3000 meter steeplechaser in school history and Northern California runner-up. Also competing in the 3000 meter steeplechase was freshman Nancy Rodriguez who placed tenth (12:06.44) and will be the top returning runner in the event in Northern California next year. Sophomore Brandi Hobson wrapped up her Hartnell career with an eighth place finish in the 10,000 meter run (38:43.31) and ninth place in the 5000 meters (18:56.16). Frosh Tori Teraji placed eighth in the heptathlon with a score of 3537 points. Frosh Taylor Blaha placed sixth in the long jump with a season best 17'3.25". Frankie Gutierrez (javelin), Marcus Washington (long jump), and Dustin Samms (hammer) all placed twelfth in their events.
For full CCCAA Championship results: http://www.rtspt.com/events/cccaa/2015_meets/track15/