Jasmine Corralejo runs a leg in the 4 x 400 relay

The GCC Men and Women's Track and Field Team competed in the Beach Opener at Cal State Long Beach March 6-7, where they would see heavy competition from Community Colleges, as well as four-year universities. It was a 2-day meet, with the community colleges competing mostly in the first day with the exception of the four throwing events which were split between the two days and combined both the community colleges and four-year athletes. In the 800m, Ameer Mohammed would run a PR time of 1:59.30, followed by Shannon Turner who ran it in a time of 2:01.19, and Natan Bekele who also ran a PR time of 2:05.60. Mohammed also ran the 1500m in a time of 4:09.92. The 3000m race included Kevin Keller (8:52.38), Marvin Guardado (8:56.40), and Morgan Faunce (9:48.96). The 110H had only one runner, Vincent Lieberman, and he finished in a time of 17.59. In the 400H, Cristopher Santiago (1:00.65), Jesus Chavez (1:04.36), and Jesus Ocampo (1:08.06) are all consistently running close to their PRs. In the Steeplechase, Spencer Geck was one of the only two runners who competed at the University race, and he finished in a time of 9:55.08. The other two steeplechasers who competed on day one were Abraham Martinez who PRd with a time of 9:55.06, and Usiel Ulloa who finished in a time of 10:01.12. The team's 4x400 relay team took 2nd place with a time of 3:29.10. In the pole vault, newcomer Andre Poladian cleared 12'4.75" in his first collegiate meet. The throwers would compete both days, and there were quite a few PRs. Kevin Gomez would be the first to PR in the hammer with a toss of 142'7." Pablo Gamez would immediately follow that throw with a PR of 143'6," and Riley Center also PR'd in his first throw with a toss of 151'2" which also gives him the 'B' State Qualifying mark. In the Javelin, Steven Ruiz would also PR with a throw of 144'3" and Angel GIron would finish right behind him with a toss of 142'0." Shaun Theiring also threw a PR in Javelin with a mark of 129'6." The second day had the other two throwing events, and Riley Center had a first throw PR in shot put with a toss of 48'11.75." Pablo Gamez had another PR, this time in shot put, with a throw of 41'9.75."               

On the women's side, Phoebe Forsyth was the other runner to compete at the University race in the steeplechase and she finished in a time of 11:32.53. Paula Jaramillo finished the 100m with a PR of 13.50. In the 800m race, Bianca Biel (2:27.41), Jasmine Corralejo (2:29.96), and Jamie Levin (2:31.31) would all finish in the top eight. Bianca Biel would follow her 800m finish with a 1500m time of 4:59.25, with Jamie Levin finishing close behind her in a time of 5:04.25. Levin and Biel helped the 4x400 relay team take 3rd place in a time of 4:33.96. In the field events, Vanessa Portillo cleared 4'7" in the high jump for a PR and a tie for 5th place. In the pole vault, Elizabeth Switzer competed in the field of University vaulters, and she went on to take 6th place after clearing 11'7." Vanessa Chavez took 3rd in the triple jump (28'8.25") and 10th in the long jump (14'5.75"). PRs in the women's throws came from Samantha Torres in the Javelin (95'2"), Xochilt Monfil in the hammer (92'9"), and Rebeca Jauregui in the discus (79'10"). The track team will travel to Bakersfield College to compete in BC Relays March 14.