Preview: Riverside Track & Field Set to Host Trio of DI Competitors

The Riverside City College track & field program has been recognized as one of the top California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) programs for the past decade.  The men have won 10 State Championships and the women have earned two state titles for a total of 12 track & field state titles. While the competition at the community college level is fierce, the Tigers have deep experience facing off against numerous Division I programs and succeeding. They will be put to the test once again this weekend by hosting University of California – Riverside, California State University – Fullerton, and Pepperdine University.

The meet will take place on Saturday, March 3 at 12:15 p.m. at Wheelock Stadium on the campus of Riverside City College. Admission is free to all and there will be a parking fee of $2. All parking passes can be purchased at various kiosks surrounding the stadium.

Riverside is coming off of a pair of victories against Orange Empire Conference (OEC) competitors in Saddleabck and Santa Ana. The men placed first with an overall score of 131, while the women worked to a fist-place showing with a points total of 112.  

The Tigers boast some solid marks in many events in comparison to the trio of DI teams. Sophomore Ricardo Cardenas holds the strongest seed time in the 800M at a mark of 1:55.33. Sophomore Joshua Duque backs him with a mark of 1:55.97.

Freshman Antonio Mitchell brings the speed to the track as he has worked towards the strongest seed time in the 100M with a field-pacing clip of 10.51. Freshman Dillon Lay follows with the best seed time in the 400M Hurdles with a mark of 54.55. Freshman Keanon Dennis paced the field in the 400M with a 47.48 seed time.

Sophomore Alec Hall boasts a pair of strong seed times. He has earned a 3:56.13 time in the 1500M and an 8:39.23 clip in the 3000M. Both times act as the second-strongest marks in each event.

The men come in strong in the field events with freshman Marcos Gonzalez earning the best seed mark in Javelin with a toss of 169' 4.5". Sophomore Jordan Davis paced the field with a 158' 9" clip in Discus, while freshman Russell Bedre earned a seed mark of 146' 6.25" in Hammer.

Freshman Baylee Carter is slightly off the top seed mark in the High Jump with a leap of 5' 11.5", while freshman Tyler Harper boasts a mark of 14' in the Pole Vault.

Sophomore Tia Parrish paces Riverside's women as she earned a top seed time in the 200M with a mark of 25.22 and a second-best seed mark in the 100M with a clip of 11.97. Sophomore Sarah Hollis is set to make waves in the 3000M with a top seed time of 10:58.83.

Freshman Sha'quan Matthews holds a seed time of 15.94 in the 100M Hurdles, while sophomore Katelyn Baker ranks second amongst the seed times in the Triple Jump with a mark of 37' 4.5".

For further information, please visit www.rccathletics.com.