Six Cougars Named to 2019 5CTCA All-State Academic Team

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

The College of the Canyons track & field program had six student-athletes named to the 2019 California Community College Cross Country & Track Coaches Association (5CTCA) All-State Academic Team.

To be eligible for inclusion, sophomore student-athletes must post a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, while also participating in two seasons of their sport. The awards, which are traditionally presented each summer, are based on the previous academic year.

The COC women's track & field team was represented by Jamie Araki, Amanda Finn and Angelina Maldonado, who each competed as sophomores in 2019.

Araki competed in jumps, throws and relays for Canyons. Finn, who also ran for the women's cross country program, advanced all the way to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regional Championships in the 5,000m event. Maldonado primarily competed in sprint events after spending the fall season with the women's soccer program.

The COC men's team also had three honorees in sophomores Adam Burke, Andrew Mercado and Jordan Palmer.

Burke was a steady contributor in the 100m and 200m events in addition to relays. Mercado ran sprints/relays and competed in jumps for the Cougars. He finished eighth at the CCCAA SoCal Regional Championships in the long jump (6.84m/22' 5.25") and also helped the men's 4x100 relay team to a seventh place regional finish (42.62). 

Palmer was named the Western State Conference (WSC) co-Field Athlete of the Year in 2019 after winning conference and regional titles, and finishing runner-up at the state championships, in the shot put. Another dual-sport student-athlete, Palmer was a 2019 California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) All-America Team selection before signing with the football program at Middle Tennessee State University last winter.

In all, a total of 77 student-athletes representing 13 track & field programs from across the state were recognized by the 5CTCA for their academic achievements. That number included 36 on the women's side and 41 men. A full list of honorees is included here.

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