Canyons' Jasmine Hall Wins SoCal Heptathlon Championship
By Brian Yokoyama, Mt. San Antonio College
(Walnut, CA) Another warm and sunny Southern California day made for a second day of outstanding marks, drama and controversy at the 2014 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Multi Event Championships. The event concluded today after two days of grueling competition at Historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium (Mt. San Antonio College-Walnut, CA). Phillip Bailey of Riverside City College was the most consistent athlete over ten events, capturing the Decathlon title with a score of 6762 points, while Jasmine Hall of College of the Canyons edged defending SoCal and CCCAA State Champion, Alexus Dalton of Cerritos College by 42 points, scoring 5243 points, taking the Heptathlon title.
First day leaders, Hall and Dalton once again provided most of the fireworks in the final three events (Long Jump, Javelin, 800M) of the Women's Heptathlon. Dalton captured the Long Jump by soaring 18'03"1/4, earning 720 points. Hall's best jump was a mere three inches behind at 18'00"1/4, which took second, earning 697 points, but increased Dalton's lead by 32 points. All things changed when Hall captured the Javelin with a winning throw of 132'06" (675 points), which catapulted her into the overall lead by 45 points. The SoCal Heptathlon Title and the incredible competition between these two great athletes came down to the final event, the 800 meters. The 45 point lead gave Hall a 3 second cushion for the win. Dalton crossed the line first, running 2:28.85, but Hall was able to finish right behind with a time of 2:29.14, a mere .29 of a second behind, which earned her the overall point lead and SoCal Heptathlon Title.
In the Decathlon, there was drama during the first event (110M Hurdles) and controversy during the last event (1500M). In the 110 Meter Hurdles, first day leader, Miles Poullard of Mt. SAC, was leading his heat when he hit the final hurdle and crashed to the ground, injuring his foot. He recovered and finished, but easily lost over 150 points. For Poullard, the fall/injury might have been the difference between a SoCal Championship and his fourth place finish, which earned him a trip to the State Championships.
Controversy erupted in the 1500 meters, when Aaron Martin of Cerritos was disqualified by an official for impeding another runner. The disqualification was protested, but the original ruling was upheld by the Meet Referee and the Games Committee, moving Martin from a 6th place, state championship qualifying spot, to 11th place.
The Top 8 finishers scored points for their respective teams at the CCCAA Southern California Championships which will be held on May 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th at Riverside City College. The top 6 finishers have earned an automatic berth to the CCCAA State Championships which will be held on May 16th and 17th at Historic Hilmer Lodge Stadium (Mt. San Antonio College-Walnut, CA).
CLICK HERE for complete and individual event results
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909-274-4630.