Panther Men Win Fourth Title, Grover Dominates Coast Conference Championship

On average, the Hartnell College men's track & field has averaged 8 out of 10 conference championships every decade since the 1970's. On Saturday, the Panthers made it five total and four in a row since 2010. Spearheaded by three freshmen individual champions and a repeat sophomore performance, the Panthers easily won the Coast Conference Track & Field Championship with a score of 230 points to next scoring team host DeAnza College at 154 points. 

Sophomore Dustin Samms easily repeated his hammer throw title with a toss of 167-0, more than 3 meters further than second place. Samms, is the school record holder in the event and ranked third in Northern California. Freshman distance ace Jorge Sanchez earned his first conference title in the 10,000 meters (33:12.92) to lead a perfect top eight sweep of the scoring positions. He was followed by Javier Garcia (33:26.33), Angel Mejia, Jr. (33:32.11), Mario Perez, Jr. (33:36.45), Andrew Martinez (33:52.69), Bryan Stamos (34:16.47), Edgar Bonilla (34:26.19), and Oscar Mora, Jr. (34:26.80). Freshman Norman Napolitano earned a state qualifying mark in his pole vault victory clearing a lifetime best 14'10". Frosh Paul Koenig defeated defending conference champion Paul Turks of CCSF with his lifetime best 55.11. He was followed in second by teammate Rhett Gonzalez at 55.21. Freshman Andrew Martinez added to his conference honors haul with a victory in the 3000 meter steeplechase (10:07.17). 

The Hartnell Lady Panthers knew they were behnid the eight ball heading into the conference championship as they trailed host DeAnza College by up to as much as 90 points. Despite individual titles in the 800, 1500, 5000, 10,000, 3k steeplechase, and 400 low hurdles, the Lady Panthers were unable to win a fourth consecutive team title. Sophomore Malena Grover carried much of the team load winning four events, a possible first in championship history.

For the ladies, Grover tallied 40 points individually winning the 10,000 meters on Wednesday and the 1500, 800, and 5000 meters on Saturday. Her winning time on Wednesday of 37:36.20 established a new meet record. Sophomore Stephanie Powers surprised heavy favorite Breann Scally of MPC in the 400 low hurdle finals edging ahead in the final 10 meters 66.49 to 66.55. Nancy Rodriguez upset home track favorite and top ranked in the state Michelle Perez-Lopez of DeAnza College in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Rodriguez moved up from runner-up in 2015 to winner in 2016 with her season beat 11:42.70. She also placed second in the 10,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Sophomore Tori Teraji placed second in both the hammer throw (147-7) and discus (1132-9). Alyssa Pochop placed second in the javelin (106-8) followed by Teraji in third (106-2). 

The Panthers will compete next at the Northern California Trials on Friday, May 6. The men's and women's 10,000 meters will be contested as a scored final on that day.

For full Coast Conference Trials/Finals results:
https://www.directathletics.com/results/track/43119.html