Grover Smashes Personal 5k Record at Occidental

Hartnell College sophomore Malena Grover surpassed her own school record in the 5000 meter run on Friday night in Eagle Rock at the Occidental College Distance Carnival. Grover stopped the clock at 17:13.98 taking 29 seconds off her previous best and continued to subtract 50 seconds from the previous record of 18:04 set by Maria Trujillo. The former Salinas High School star placed twelfth overall and was the second community college runner to finish as she continues to chase Jenica Dodge of American River College. Grover lead Dodge for most than 4000 meters but 2015 cross country regional champion pulled even and went to finish in 17:08.12. The two have the top marks in the state and Grover's time is the fourth fastest in the nation recorded by a community college woman this year. With last year's state champion in the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meters Aminat Olowaro no longer competing for Southwestern College, it appears the state titles for any of those distances will be won by either Dodge or Grover. Also running in the women's 5000 meters was Nancy Rodriguez (18:54.67) who became just the ninth ever lady Panther to run the distance in under 19 minutes. Lizzy Garcia (19:25.08), Maria Rodriguez (20:02.47), Adriana Jimenez (20:10.32), Cynthia Tovar (20:28.70), and Carly Zako (20:34.53) also raced at the distance.

In the men's 5000 meters, the Panthers were lead by a pair of freshman Jorge Sanchez and Edgar Bonilla. Sanchez was the first Panther to cross the line in a state "B" qualifying 15:18.22 with Bonilla behind at 15:25.22. Sophomore Javier Garcia ran a personal best 15:27.83 along with freshmen Oscar Mora, Jr. (15:34.11), Angel Mejia, Jr. (15:39.60), Andrew Martinez (15:46.99), and Bryan Stamos (16:10.72). Freshman Eduardo Orozco ran a season best in the 1500 meters (4:07.00).

For full Occidental Spring Break Distance Carnival Results:
https://www.directathletics.com/results/track/41643.html