Hartnell Track & Field Three-Peats at Conference Championship

For the first time since 1985 through 1987 for the women and 2007-2009 for the men have both Hartnell College track & field programs won three consecutive conference championships. In a very close, heated team battle on both sides over two days of competition, both programs found a way to edge ahead of conference rival DeAnza College to maintain the winning streak. The top two men's teams were only separated by 14 points with Hartnell College tallying 225 to DeAnza College 211. On the women's side, the Lady Panthers totaled up 235 points to the Lady Dons 215. The men were lead by Diego Leon was the individual champion in three events and by Malena Grover who placed third in one event, second in two events, and won the 1500 meters.

For the men, Diego Leon set the tone for the meet winning the 10,000 meter run in come from behind fashion in 32:58.59 on day one. Chase Pacheco also helped on day one by winning the long jump with a distance of 22'10" along with victories by Dustin Samms in the hammer (174'0") and Nathan Bishop in the pole vault (13'10"). On day two, Tito Chaidez kicked off the victory charge with a win in the 3000 meter steeplechase (10:08.49). He was followed by Leon's victory in the 1500 meters (3:53.85). Pacheco picked up silver medals in the high jump (6'1.50") and 200 meters (22.20). Leon also had a lifetime best in the 800 meters (1:56.68) to place fourth before winning the 5000 meters comfortably (15:21.76). Rhett Gonzalez placed third in the 110 high hurdles (15.04) and lead off the third place 4x400 relay team (3:25.87) along with Robby Rykowski, Marcus Washington, and Isaiah Russell.

With the help of three key freshman, the Lady Panthers found enough points to distance themselves from the Lady Dons. Malena Grover contributed 10 points in her 1500 meters victory (4:55.02), an additional 16 points with second place finishes in the 10,000 meters (40:49.15) and 5000 meters (19:04.23), and 6 points in the 800 meters (2:24.52). Tori Teraji and Rachel Shimabukuro were individual conference champions. Teraji won the discus throw with a toss of 134'7". Shimabukuro was victorious in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 12:09.50. Taylor Blaha contributed points in multiple events placing second in the triple jump (35'3.25"), long jump (16'10"), high jump (4'9.50"), shot put (35'10"), and javelin (98'10"),100 meter hurdles (16.78), 200 meters (27.17),and both relays.

For full Coast Conference Championship results:
http://www.directathletics.com/results/track/40425.html