Canyons Wins Three Titles & Qualifies in 23 Spots at WSC Prelims

The College of the Canyons track & field program hosted the Western State Conference (WSC) Prelims on Friday, with the Cougars men's and women's teams able to take advantage of the familiar surroundings. 

Canyons combined to qualify for next week's WSC Finals in 23 individual spots while claiming conference championships in three events. The Cougars also qualified for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) SoCal Championships in seven events. 

COC freshman Dana Bowers set the tone for the day in the first event by claiming a WSC title in the women's javelin with a throw of 33.61m. That mark was more than five meters better than the next closet competitor. 

Not done yet, Bowers also finished second in the shot put at 11.11m and fourth in the high jump with a leap of 1.55m. She will now move on to compete at the SoCal Championships in all three events. 

Also claiming a WSC title was sophomore Marissa Kneisel who finished first in the long jump at 5.37m. 

Kneisel, who has already left her name in the COC record books as the women's soccer program's all-time leading scorer, went on to place third in the high jump at 1.55m. She also placed ninth in the 100m with a time of 13.05 and, like Bowers, will also be moving on to the regional championships.

Kaitlyn Matthews was the third WSC champion to emerge for the Cougars on Friday, as she took first in the high jump at 1.60m, to also advance to regionals. 

Tisian Nealy qualified in two events after placing third in the women's 200m (25.89) and fourth in the 400m (57.86). Likewise for Jada Selexman who took second in the 100m hurdles (15.90) and fourth in the 400m hurdles (1:05.67).

Alexandra Whitman finished second in the women's 10,000m with a time of 39:43.01 to lead a strong COC contingent in that event. Jessica Ruiz (40:15.60), Amanda DeJesus (40:45.64) and Lizeth Flores (40:57.33) finished third, fifth and sixth, respectively. 

On the men's side, Jason Hillquist finished second in the 10,000m with a time of 32:04.23 and Joel Estrada placed second in the 800m (1:56.58).

Arnold Bautista took fourth in the 1,500m with a time of 4:01.82, followed by several of his teammates. Hillquist (seventh, 4:04.27), Estrada (ninth, 4:05.46) and Joseph Rosales (10th, 4:06.13) each qualified for next week's WSC Finals. 

Robert Brennan took second in the 200m (22.55) and 400m (48.60) to also advance to the WSC Finals. Jonathan Choi (11.14) and James Berkley (11.25) placed second and third, respectively, in the 100m to also advance.

Cole Mears took fourth in the javelin with a mark of 45.92m.

The 2016 WSC Finals will be held Friday, April 29, at Bakersfield College.

The 2016 CCCAA SoCal Regional Finals will take place Saturday, May 14, at Antelope Valley College.

A full list of COC Track & Field qualifiers is listed below:

Women

• Elaine Pusey                  1500m        11^th      5:23.97
• Jada Selexman               100h           2^nd     15.90
• Tisian Nealy                   400m          4^th      57.86
• Marissa Kneisel               100m          9^th     13.05
• Diani Ellis                       800m          5^th     2:23.22
• Jada Selexman               400h           4^th     1:05.70
• Tisian Nealy                   200m          3^rd     25.89

Men

• Arnold Bautista 1500m        4^th 4:01.82
• Jason Hillquist 1500m        7^th 4:04.27
• Joel Estrada 1500m        9^th 4:05.46
• Joseph Rosales 1500m       10^th 4:06.13
• Zachary Larson 110h           8^th         16.81
• Robert Brennan 400m         2^nd 48.60
• Randle Williams 400m          6^th 49.18
• Jonathan Choi 100m          2^nd 11.14
• James Berkley 100m          3^rd 11.25
• Jaeton Williams 100m          7^th 11.33
• Joel Estrada 800m          2^nd 1:56.58
• James De Mello 800m          8^th 1:58.22
• Carson Lysik 400h           8^th 59.50
• Robert Brennan 200m          2^nd 22.55
• James Chevious 200m          9^th 22.99
• Randle Williams 200m          7^th 22.83